(Bowie, Maryland) - The Harrisburg Senators and Chesapeake Baysox will meet for the final time this week in today’s series finale. The Senators are looking to win a series for the first in a month and leave town on a high note. The Baysox look to finish the home series on a high note taking the last two to preserve a series sweep.
The Senators lineup was riding high on the three game winning streak but was shut down by Chesapeake’s pitching last night. Chesapeake’s offense took advantage with 2 runs in the 4th and two more in the 6th for the knockout punch. The Sens would drop game five 4-1 and need a win today to secure the series win. The Senators have one more set of business today before leaving town to welcome the Richmond Flying Squirrels to FNB Field later this week.
Baysox and the Senators for the last time this series in Game 6 of 6 from Prince George’s Stadium. They will likely be raindrops to dodge during today’s game but it should be given a go. First pitch coming up at 1:05
Harrisburg Senators lineup: 1. Sam Brown LF 2.Devin Fitz-Gerald 2B 3. Cayden Wallace SS 4. Sam Petersen DH 5. Caleb Lomavita C 6. Kervin Pichardo 3B 7. Leandro Pineda RF 8. Cortland Lawson 1B 9. Johnathan Thomas CF
Chesapeake Baysox lineup: 1. Frederick Bencosme 2B 2. Ethan Anderson C 3. Aron Estrada DH 4. Anderson De Los Santos 1B 5. Thomas Sosa RF 6. Griff O’Ferrall SS 7. Tavian Josenberger CF 8. Douglas Hodo LF 9. Willy Vasquez 3B
Probable Pitchers
Harrisburg Senators – Josh Randall (3-1, 3.33 ERA)
Season Stats: 3.33 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 68K, 70IP
Recent Form: In the overall picture, Randall has been spectacular since arriving in AA. He’s won 3 of his 5 starts. Even in his toughest outing he was still able to battle through 4 innings. In the month of June he’s thrown 22IP allowing 10R, 19H, 4HR, 6BB and 22Ks
vs. Opponent: Randall has faced Chesapeake one time this season in Game one of this series. Randall pitched extremely well and deserved a better outcome. He 5IP, 2H, 1BB, 2Ks. He left the game with a two run lead but was forced into a no decision with the Baysox taking the lead in the 6th.
Chesapeake Baysox – Luis De Leon (2-5, 5.86 ERA) -
Season Stats: 5.86 ERA, 1.59 WHIP, 72K, 55 1/3 IP
Recent Form: In the month of June, De Leon has gone 16 2/3IP, 15R, 17H, 4HR, 10BB, 24K though a lot of those numbers are plagued by a rough outing in the beginning on the month against Akron.
vs. Opponent: De Leon makes his 2nd appearance against the Sens this series. He pitched in Game 1 of the series. He went 5IP, 2R, 3H, 1HR, 1BB, 8Ks. His only blemish of the evening was a 2 run home run to Johnathan Thomas in the 2nd inning of Tuesday night’s game.
Key Storylines/what to watch
Josh Randall's success: Any time Randall takes the ball he has earned the attention in his brief AA tenure. He’s been dominant at times and only seems to be getting better each time out. We’ll see if Randall can continue to develop into a major player in the Sens rotation. Thus far, the answer has been yes.
Sens win a series: With a current 3 games to 2 lead in the series, the Sens have an opportunity to win a series for the first time in a month. Leaving Bowie with a 4-2 record and a series win will send the boys back to Harrisburg feeling good about themselves and ready for a big series with the Richmond Flying Squirrels.
Senators offense: The Sens bats had been fairly hot the last several games and produced a 10 hot output in Friday night’s game. Last night they were 1 hit, on a Cayden Wallace home run. How does the offense respond with the series on the line, facing a pitcher they already faced once in the series.
Washington Nationals Prospects to watch
Josh Randall: He’s been fun to watch coming into his 6th AA start. If he keeps progressing Randall has all the tools to be a prospect to watch in the next year.
Cayden Wallace: He’s answered every question this season, produced when asked to, played numerous positions and has been a jack of all trades for his baseball team. He has nothing more to prove at AA with his turnaround and it should only be a matter of time until he finds himself in AAA