MLN Newswire - www.mlntherawfeed.com-ALTOONA, Pa. - First baseman Eric Crozier reached base in all four of his plate appearances, including a two-run home run in the first inning as the Baysox toppled Altoona 5-1. Bowie finished their eight-game road trip 6-2, taking four out of five games from the Curve to improve to 42-34 on the season. With the win, they move to within 8.5 games of Southern Division leader Akron, who travels to Bowie to begin a five-game series beginning Tuesday at Prince George's Stadium.

The Baysox offense struck for four runs in the first inning against Altoona right-hander Derek Hankins. After designated hitter Danny Figueroa drew a one out walk, Crozier took Hankins deep for his third home run of the season. After going 2-for-17 to start his Baysox career, Crozier has gone 10-for-19 with a home run, four doubles, five RBI and six runs scored over his last five games. Third baseman Mike Costanzo followed with a walk, scoring one batter later when center fielder Dave Krynzel took Hankins deep for his team-leading sixth home run of the season.

Spotted a four-run advantage, Baysox starter Bobby Livingston held the Curve in check through 7.0 strong innings. He allowed an RBI single to Brian Friday in the bottom of the third inning, but limited any further damage to earn his team-leading sixth win of the season. The left-hander struck out four and walked two, lowering his ERA to 3.88 on the season.
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The offense went back to the long ball to get back on the board in the fourth inning. With one out, right fielder Ambiorix Concepcion took a Hankins offering over the wall for a solo homer. The blast was Concepcion’s fifth of the season, and the right fielder has hit safely in 12 of his last 13 games.

Hankins finished his night after allowing five earned runs in 4.0 innings of work. He allowed only four hits, but three of them left the yard as the right-hander was dealt his second loss of the season. With the loss, Altoona becomes the first team in the Eastern League with 50 losses on the season.

Right-hander Ryohei Tanaka came on for Livingston in the bottom of the eighth inning. The Ishikawa, Japan native shut down all six Curve hitters he faced to close out the win for the Baysox. In eight appearances since joining the Baysox out of extended spring training, Tanaka has not allowed an earned run through 12.0 innings of work while striking out 12 and walking only one. He has also converted in each of his three save opportunities on the season. The bullpen was a major key to success for the Baysox on the road trip, allowing one earned run or less in seven of the eight games.

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