The Chesapeake Baysox defeated the Harrisburg Senators 5-2 on Saturday, Aug. 8, at Prince George’s Stadium in Bowie, Maryland, as Anthony Eyanson earned the win in his Baltimore Orioles organization debut. Eyanson pitched five innings, struck out nine and helped Chesapeake improve to 22-16 in the second half and 51-55 overall.
Eyanson allowed four hits and two runs, both on solo home runs, while walking one over 82 pitches. He threw 52 strikes and improved to 5-0. The Chesapeake Baysox are the Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, while the Harrisburg Senators are the Double-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals.
Anthony Eyanson Delivers Strong Orioles Organization Debut
Eyanson, the Baltimore Orioles’ No. 1 prospect according to the source, surrendered a leadoff home run to Kervin Pichardo in the second inning. He limited the damage and struck out nine Harrisburg batters, including five Senators in a six-batter span midway through his start.
Devin Ortiz hit a solo home run in the fifth inning for Harrisburg’s second and final run against Eyanson. After the start, Eyanson had a 1.87 Double-A ERA, the lowest among Eastern League pitchers with at least 50 innings pitched, according to the source. The appearance was his 11th combined start for the Chesapeake Baysox and Portland Sea Dogs.
Chesapeake Baysox Get Key Hits and Power
The Chesapeake Baysox answered Pichardo’s home run in the bottom of the second inning. Victor Figueroa tied the game with his second Double-A home run, a drive estimated at 443 feet with a 112 mph exit velocity, according to a Chesapeake Baysox post cited in the source.
The home run brought Figueroa to 24 home runs and 83 RBIs for the season. Both totals led all Baltimore Orioles minor leaguers, according to the source.
Chesapeake took the lead in the fourth inning after Figueroa doubled and Aron Estrada walked. Frederick Bencosme followed with a two-run double that scored Figueroa and Estrada, giving the Chesapeake Baysox a 3-1 advantage against Harrisburg right-hander Jhancarlos Lara, who took the loss and fell to 0-2.
The Chesapeake Baysox added two runs in the sixth inning when Tavian Josenberger hit a two-run home run that also scored Griff O’Ferrall. Josenberger’s 10th homer of the season had a 103 mph exit velocity and an estimated distance of 398 feet, according to a Chesapeake Baysox post cited in the source.
Baysox Bullpen Protects the Victory
Alex Pham replaced Eyanson to begin the sixth inning and pitched two scoreless innings with two strikeouts. Pham has recorded scoreless outings in nine of his last 11 Double-A appearances, according to the source.
Brock Moore pitched a scoreless eighth inning before Keagan Gillies finished the game with a scoreless ninth. Gillies earned his second save of the season, while Moore and Gillies combined to face one batter above the minimum.
The performance continued a productive stretch for Chesapeake’s starting pitchers. Over the team’s previous five games, Baysox starters had combined for a 3-0 record and a 1.09 ERA, allowing three earned runs across 25.2 innings while recording 30 strikeouts and four walks.
Chesapeake Baysox Set for Sunday Finale
The Chesapeake Baysox are scheduled to conclude their seven-game series against the Harrisburg Senators at 1:05 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9, at Prince George’s Stadium. Trace Bright is scheduled to start for Chesapeake, while Jack Cebert is listed as the probable starter for Harrisburg.
Bright is listed at 0-1 with a 5.49 Double-A ERA, and Cebert is listed at 2-3 with a 4.90 Double-A ERA.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
Eyanson gave the Chesapeake Baysox five innings, nine strikeouts and a win in his Orioles organization debut. Harrisburg’s two solo home runs kept the game close, but Chesapeake answered with timely power from Figueroa and Josenberger before the bullpen completed the victory.
The win also extended a strong stretch for the Baysox pitching staff. Chesapeake’s starting pitchers have combined for a 1.09 ERA over the previous five games, while the victory moved the team to 22-16 in the second half.
Source: Original report
