The Chesapeake Baysox defeated the Reading Fightin Phils 5-2 Friday night at FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading, Pennsylvania, as Anthony Eyanson earned the win with seven strikeouts in the second-longest start of his professional career. Chesapeake entered the game with a 24-19 second-half record and a 53-58 overall mark.
The Baysox scored in four consecutive innings and hit three solo home runs. Thomas Sosa, Aron Estrada and Dom Keegan each supplied a home run, while Jeisson Cabrera, Micah Ashman and Richard Guasch combined to shut out Reading after Eyanson left the game.
Chesapeake Baysox Build Lead With Three Home Runs
Chesapeake opened the scoring in the second inning when Frederick Bencosme walked and later crossed home on an Anderson De Los Santos groundout. The Baysox began their three-homer stretch in the fourth inning, with Thomas Sosa hitting his 13th home run of the season. Sosa also finished with multiple hits.
Aron Estrada followed with a solo home run in the fifth inning against Reading right-hander Gage Wood. The drive marked Estrada’s team-leading 19th homer of the season and his third consecutive start with a home run. His total tied him for second-most among Orioles minor leaguers.
Dom Keegan completed the stretch with an opposite-field solo shot to right-center in the sixth inning. Keegan homered in back-to-back games, raised his total to four home runs with Chesapeake, and finished with two hits.
Anthony Eyanson Earns Sixth Win
Anthony Eyanson made his second start since joining the Orioles organization and worked through early trouble before settling in. He escaped a two-on, no-out situation in the first inning by inducing a double-play grounder, then finished with seven strikeouts and 89 pitches.
Reading scored its only two runs in the fifth inning on consecutive run-scoring hits from Pedro Leon and Raylin Heredia with two outs. Eyanson ended the inning with a strikeout that stranded the tying run at second base.
Eyanson faced one batter in the sixth inning and recorded a groundout back to the mound. It was the second time in his professional career that he recorded an out in the sixth inning, and the victory improved his record to 6-0.
Baysox Bullpen Shuts Out Reading
Jeisson Cabrera recorded the final two outs of the sixth inning before Micah Ashman took over. Ashman retired all six batters he faced, struck out his first five, and struck out the side in the seventh inning.
Ashman finished one pitch shy of an immaculate inning and lowered his Double-A ERA to 1.79. That mark ranked fourth in Double-A and second in the Eastern League among pitchers with at least 40 innings, according to the team’s game account.
Chesapeake scored its final run in the seventh inning after Bencosme walked, stole second, and advanced home following a throwing error on his successful delayed steal of third. Richard Guasch worked around an error in the ninth inning to earn his first save of the season.
Chesapeake Baysox Continue Series Saturday
The Chesapeake Baysox will continue their series against the Reading Fightin Phils on Saturday night at FirstEnergy Stadium. Right-hander JT Quinn is scheduled to make his Double-A and Baysox debut against Reading right-hander Braydon Tucker.
Quinn entered the start with a 4-3 record and a 3.75 ERA at the A+ level, while Tucker is listed at 7-7 with a 3.41 ERA. First pitch is scheduled for 6:45 p.m.
The Baysox will return home Tuesday, August 18, to open a six-game series against the Richmond Flying Squirrels. Tuesday’s first pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. ET.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
Chesapeake combined timely power with a strong starting performance to secure the road win. Three solo home runs provided the offensive margin, while Eyanson’s seven strikeouts and 89-pitch outing gave the Baysox the length they needed.
Ashman’s six-out appearance and Guasch’s save completed a scoreless relief effort after Eyanson departed. The result moved Chesapeake to 24-19 in the second half and 53-58 overall.
Source: Original report
