Left-handed pitcher Luis De León led the Chesapeake Baysox to a 6-2 victory over the Erie SeaWolves on Sunday, July 26, 2026, at Prince George’s Stadium in Bowie, Maryland. De León matched his Double-A season-best with nine strikeouts over six and one-third innings, delivering a strong performance that helped the Baysox finish their nine-game homestand with a 5-4 record.
De León’s Dominant Start Anchors Baysox Win
Ranked as the Baltimore Orioles’ No. 7 prospect by MLB.com, De León pitched six and one-third innings, allowing four hits, one run, and one walk. His nine strikeouts tied his Double-A high marks a second quality start this season. Over his last eight starts, De León has compiled a 4-1 record with a 1.80 ERA, striking out 40 batters while issuing 14 walks. He earned Eastern League Pitcher of the Week honors earlier in July.
Chesapeake’s Offense Provides Early and Sustained Support
The Baysox took an early lead in the second inning thanks to Griff O’Ferrall’s two-run home run, his sixth of the season, which brought Aron Estrada home. Estrada finished with a 3-for-3 day, including two runs scored and a double. Chesapeake extended their lead to 4-1 in the sixth inning when Adam Retzbach hit a two-run double, scoring Estrada and Tavian Josenberger, who had walked. In the eighth inning, Josenberger hit a solo home run, his ninth of the season, and Brandon Butterworth added an RBI single scoring Retzbach for a 6-1 lead.
Strong Relief Work Completes the Victory
Right-handed reliever Richard Guasch followed De León in the seventh inning, pitching one and two-thirds scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Guasch has now posted eight scoreless appearances in his last nine Double-A outings. Erie scored a late run in the ninth inning on a solo home run by Patrick Lee, but the Baysox held on for the 6-2 victory.
Upcoming Schedule
The Chesapeake Baysox were scheduled to start a six-game road series against the Altoona Curve, the Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. Chesapeake will return home to Prince George’s Stadium on Tuesday, August 4, to begin a weeklong series against the Harrisburg Senators, the Double-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
Luis De León’s continued excellence underscores his standing as one of the Baltimore Orioles’ top pitching prospects. His ability to control the game and rack up strikeouts has been vital for the Chesapeake Baysox’s rotation stability. With impactful offensive contributions from Griff O’Ferrall, Aron Estrada, and others, Chesapeake is building momentum in the Eastern League. The challenging series ahead against Altoona will test the Baysox’s resilience, but their recent balanced performances suggest they remain competitive in the league.
Source: Original report
