The Chesapeake Baysox lost to the Reading Fightin Phils, 6-4, Thursday night at FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading, Pennsylvania. Anderson De Los Santos hit a two-run home run to right field with two outs in the ninth inning, cutting Reading’s lead to 6-4 before a final strikeout ended the comeback attempt.
The Chesapeake Baysox entered the game with a 23-19 record in the second half and a 52-58 overall mark. The loss came despite two separate bases-loaded opportunities in the seventh inning.
Chesapeake Baysox Rally Falls Short
The Chesapeake Baysox trailed 5-1 entering the seventh inning. Thomas Sosa doubled, Griff O’Ferrall singled and Tavian Josenberger walked to load the bases with no outs.
Aron Estrada followed with a sacrifice fly that scored Sosa. The Baysox loaded the bases again later in the inning but managed to score only once, leaving Reading with a four-run advantage entering the ninth.
De Los Santos then provided the final Baysox scoring opportunity. His two-run homer with two outs cut the deficit to 6-4, but Reading recorded the final out to end the game.
Pat Reilly Strikes Out Eight
Pat Reilly made his fourth start for the Chesapeake Baysox since returning from the injured list following Tommy John surgery last year, a procedure that reconstructs the elbow ligament and requires extensive recovery. The right-handed pitcher struck out eight batters in four innings, allowing three hits and two runs.
Reilly walked three batters in the first inning without allowing a run, then struck out four consecutive hitters. He walked only one batter after the first inning and took the loss, falling to 0-2 on the season.
Reading right-handed starter Adam Seminaris earned the win after allowing one run in six innings. Seminaris improved to 11-7, with Dom Keegan’s fourth-inning solo home run accounting for Chesapeake’s only run against him.
Reading Produces Key Offensive Plays
Keegan’s home run tied the game at 1-1 and marked his third homer with the Chesapeake Baysox since joining the Baltimore Orioles organization in late June. Reading built its lead with contributions from several hitters.
Raylin Heredia finished with three hits and two RBIs, including a home run against Chesapeake right-hander Keagan Gillies. Wuilfredo Antunez hit a home run in the sixth inning, while Aroon Escobar added a run-scoring triple in the seventh inning and finished with two RBIs.
The Chesapeake Baysox are the Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. The Reading Fightin Phils are the Double-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies.
What Comes Next for the Chesapeake Baysox
The Chesapeake Baysox continue the series at Reading on Friday night. Right-hander Anthony Eyanson is scheduled to start for Chesapeake against Reading right-hander Gage Wood, with first pitch at 7 p.m. at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Eyanson has a 5-0 Double-A record and a 1.87 ERA, while Wood is listed at 0-1 with a 4.84 Double-A ERA. The Chesapeake Baysox return home Tuesday, Aug. 18, to open a six-game series against the Richmond Flying Squirrels, the Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants.
First pitch for Tuesday’s home game is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. ET.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
The Chesapeake Baysox created two bases-loaded opportunities in the seventh inning but scored only once, leaving the team in a difficult position against Reading. De Los Santos’ ninth-inning home run gave Chesapeake a late chance, but the Baysox could not extend the rally.
Reilly’s eight strikeouts in four innings and De Los Santos’ two-run homer stood out in the loss. The Chesapeake Baysox will continue the series Friday with Eyanson scheduled to start.
Source: Original report
