Chesapeake Baysox baseball lost 5-4 to the Harrisburg Senators on Sunday afternoon, Aug. 30, 2026, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, after Caleb Lomavita hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning. The walk-off homer completed a comeback after Chesapeake built a 4-0 lead with home runs from Colin Tuft and Aron Estrada.
Lomavita drove in four of Harrisburg’s five runs and homered in the seventh and ninth innings. 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.
Chesapeake Builds Early Lead With Two Home Runs
The game remained scoreless until the top of the fourth inning, when Ethan Anderson and Victor Figueroa opened the frame with consecutive singles. After two strikeouts, Colin Tuft hit a two-out, three-run home run to the opposite field, giving the Chesapeake Baysox a 3-0 lead. It was Tuft’s second Double-A home run.
Chesapeake added another run in the fifth inning when Aron Estrada hit a solo home run to left-center field. The homer was Estrada’s second hit of the game and his team-leading 23rd home run of the season.
Estrada, a 21-year-old switch hitter, has batted .372 from the right side of the plate since July 9. His home run gave the Baysox a 4-0 advantage.
Sebastian Gongora Records Fifth Quality Start
Chesapeake left-handed starter Sebastian Gongora allowed two runs on five hits in six innings. He walked none, struck out five and recorded his fifth quality start of the 2026 season.
After allowing only one hit through the first four innings, Gongora surrendered consecutive hits to begin the fifth, including an RBI single by Lomavita. James Wood, a rehabbing Washington Nationals outfielder, then hit a solo home run in the sixth inning, but Gongora completed his outing with Chesapeake holding a 4-2 lead.
Gongora’s 3.64 season ERA ranked second among qualified Eastern League pitchers. His 116 1/3 innings ranked fourth among league pitchers.
Lomavita Completes Harrisburg Comeback
Lomavita made it a one-run game in the seventh inning with a solo home run against Chesapeake right-handed pitcher Christian Herberholz. The Baysox then had a chance to add to their lead in the ninth inning.
With the bases loaded and two outs, Wehiwa Aloy hit a 110 mph one-hopper toward second base. Harrisburg’s Devin Fitz-Gerald handled the ball to keep Chesapeake off the scoreboard against right-hander Sandy Gaston.
Elijah Green singled to open the bottom of the ninth for Harrisburg. Two batters later, Lomavita hit a full-count pitch to left-center field for his second home run of the afternoon and a 5-4 Senators victory. Herberholz took the loss, while Gaston earned the win.
Baysox Prepare for Final 2026 Homestand
Chesapeake took four of six games in the series against Harrisburg. The Baysox had 12 regular-season games remaining and were six games behind the Erie SeaWolves for the Eastern League Southwest Division’s second-half playoff spot.
Chesapeake was scheduled to begin its final 2026 homestand on Tuesday, Sept. 1, with a six-game series against the Portland Sea Dogs, the Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. First pitch was scheduled for 6:35 p.m.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
The Chesapeake Baysox received early power from Tuft and Estrada and a strong start from Gongora, but Harrisburg answered late. Gongora’s five strikeouts and zero walks helped Chesapeake carry a 4-2 lead into the later innings.
Lomavita supplied the decisive offense for the Senators with home runs in the seventh and ninth innings, including the walk-off blast that ended the game. Chesapeake still took four of six games in the series and entered its final 12 regular-season games six games behind Erie for the division’s second-half playoff spot.
Source: Original report
