The Chesapeake Baysox dropped a high-scoring game to the Altoona Curve 14-10 on Thursday night at Peoples Natural Gas Field in Altoona, Pennsylvania, despite a strong offensive effort led by Brandon Butterworth.
The Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles fell behind 9-2 before Butterworth’s three-run home run in the eighth inning cut Altoona’s lead to 11-10.
Chesapeake entered the game 17-12 in the current portion of its season and 46-51 overall. The Altoona Curve, the Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, added three runs in the bottom of the eighth after a Chesapeake error to secure the win.
Brandon Butterworth Powers Chesapeake Baysox Rally
Butterworth recorded three extra-base hits and five RBIs for the Chesapeake Baysox. His eighth-inning home run capped a five-run frame after Chesapeake scored on a bases-loaded walk by Doug Hodo and a run-scoring fielder’s choice from Aron Estrada.
Butterworth’s first RBI double came in the third inning, when he also scored on a groundout by Frederick Bencosme. He doubled home another run in the fifth inning, producing the final run allowed by Altoona starter Peyton Stumbo.
Butterworth has recorded hits in 13 of his last 14 games. He is hitting .375, going 21-for-56 with 14 RBIs during that stretch.
Altoona Curve Take Early Control
The Altoona Curve opened the scoring with a solo home run from Lonnie White Jr. in the first inning. Altoona then sent 11 batters to the plate and scored eight runs in the second against Chesapeake left-handed starter Sebastian Gongora.
Jesus Castillo and Carmichael each hit a two-run single in the inning, while Titus Dimitru added a three-run home run. Gongora exited after one and two-thirds innings and was charged with the loss, leaving him with an 8-6 record. Only one of his runs allowed was earned because of an error earlier in the inning.
Chesapeake scored twice in the second inning on an RBI triple by Victor Figueroa and a sacrifice fly from Willy Vasquez. Stumbo earned the win for Altoona with a 2-9 record after completing six innings.
Chesapeake Baysox Streaks Continue
Griff O’Ferrall recorded a double and a single for his fourth consecutive multi-hit game. The performance extended his hitting streak to seven games.
Anderson De Los Santos singled in the first inning to extend his on-base streak to 16 games. Altoona’s three-run eighth began after a Chesapeake error, and the game featured seven combined errors.
Chesapeake Baysox Schedule
The Chesapeake Baysox were scheduled to continue their six-game series at the Altoona Curve on Friday, July 31, at 6 p.m. ET at Peoples Natural Gas Field. Joseph Dzierwa was scheduled to start for Chesapeake against Altoona’s Matt Ager.
Chesapeake was scheduled to return home Tuesday, Aug. 4, to open a seven-game series against the Harrisburg Senators, the Double-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals. First pitch was scheduled for 6:35 p.m. ET.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
Brandon Butterworth’s three extra-base hits and career-high five RBIs gave the Chesapeake Baysox a path back from a seven-run deficit. Chesapeake’s rally brought the game within one run in the eighth inning, but Altoona answered with three runs after an error to preserve the victory.
The seven combined errors shaped the game, particularly Altoona’s early advantage and late insurance. The Chesapeake Baysox will continue the series in Altoona before returning home for the Harrisburg Senators series.
Source: Original report
