Game 19: Baysox 14, Senators 2 (Video Highlights)

THE STATE OF THE TEAM: Give Bowie credit. They are a veteran ballclub that has hit the cover off the ball in all five games against the Senators this season. But even when things are going well (or at least reasonably well) for the Senators, it seems like they’re just waiting for the other shoe to drop. Routine groundballs turn into errors (they lead the Eastern League), potential rallies are killed with baserunning mistakes, and well-struck drives die into the opposing outfielders’ gloves on the warning track. The last words I would use to describe what the Senators are playing right now are “winning baseball” and until they break this chain and change their mentality, it makes for some difficult games to play and watch.

MEH COLE: At least starter A.J. Cole didn’t allow a first inning run, but the prized prospect only lasted 3.2 frames before reaching his pitch count limit in the early going. Cole was’t great, after all he did allow 11 baserunners (ten singles and a walk) while recording 11 outs, but he wasn’t horrible either. The Senators’ early struggles have put that much more of a focus on their ace’s starts, so it’s only natural to be disappointed. It’s only a matter of time though before he starts shoving and gives the Harrisburg nine what they need.

ROSTER MOVES: Prior to the game, catcher Brian Jeroloman was activated from extended spring training and first baseman Kevin Keyes was promoted from Potomac. Mitch Canham and Quincy Latimore were both placed on the 7-day disabled list to make room on the active roster. Keyes was 1-for-4 on the night with a double down the right-field foul line and Jeroloman also registered one hit in four plate appearances.

MOP UP DUTY: Sean Nicol made his professional debut on the mound when he was called on to mercifully get the last two outs. The veteran utilityman induced a pop-up, but then surrendered a pair of singles and home runs before getting out of the inning on a line drive to centerfield. Nicol won’t be getting offers anytime soon to convert to pitcher, but he did an admirable job tossing 14 strikes out of the 22 pitches he threw and touching 82 on the stadium radar gun.