Game 25: Baysox 2, Senators 1
It's tough to win ballgames when you strand seven runners in scoring position. It's almost impossible to win ballgames when you collectively go 0 for 12 with those same runners in scoring position. The Senators did both tonight and unsurprisingly dropped the third game of their series, 2-1, to the Bowie Baysox.
Tonight was a microcosm of the previous 24 games in demonstrating that Harrisburg's situational hitting has been absolutely putrid so far this season. Hitting behind runners to advance them appears to be a lost art for this team and it has forced manager Tony Beasley's hand to rely on the sacrifice bunt to get the job done.
Too many times the Senators have stranded a runner standing on third base with less than two outs when they are unable to bring him home by doing nothing more than hitting a fly ball. And I realize that this isn't actually the case, but it sure seems like every time that situation arises I can count on the batter striking out. Who do you think is dead last in the Eastern League in sacrifice flies? Through 25 games, the Senators have two...and quite frankly I'm shocked the number is that high.
I will say something positive about this team though. They don't quit. They've already proven that in a number of games this season and tonight was no different. In the 8th and 9th inning they put multiple runners on base but just couldn't come through with that one hit they needed to tie the game up or even go ahead.
Starter Brad Meyers pitched well enough to deserve better than getting tagged with the tough loss on his record. We've seen him more dominant than tonight, but it's difficult to find fault with 7 solid innings of 2-run ball. Most nights that should be good enough to get the W. Not tonight.
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• Meyers has now reached 36.1 innings on the season and he still has yet to walk a batter.
• With two outs in the 5th inning, Chris Rahl singled to center field to extend his hitting streak to eight games.
• Bill Rhinehart's solo home run was his fourth of the season and gives him the team lead over Tyler Moore.
• The Patriot-News' Andy Shay gives us this great stat that explains a lot of this team's offensive woes - - 14 of the 17 home runs the Senators have hit this season have been solo shots.
The Sports 'Burger Star of the Game: Brad Meyers (7IP, 2R, 8H, 0BB, 7K)
Next Game: Tomorrow at 11:05 AM Prince George's Stadium
Probables: Shairon Martis (HAR) 0-1, 5.40 ERA vs. Alfredo Simon (BOW) 0-0, 0.00 ERA
Posted by Mick Reinhard at 5/4/2011 11:30 PM 
Categories: Mayflies and Big Flies
Tags: Harrisburg Senators Bowie Baysox Brad Meyers Bill Rhinehart Chris Rahl
Categories: Mayflies and Big Flies
Tags: Harrisburg Senators Bowie Baysox Brad Meyers Bill Rhinehart Chris Rahl
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