Bowie collects 20 hits, drops SeaWolves two games back of first place in rout

Aug. 31: Baysox 15, SeaWolves 5

Brant Hurter struggled for the second time in a row as the SeaWolves were blown out on Wednesday to drop two games back of first-place Bowie. The Baysox took a 3-0 lead in the second inning including run-scoring hits by Toby Welk and Andrew Daschbach before Zach Watson crushed a three-run double in the third inning. Watson, the No. 9 hitter in the lineup, drove in six runs on Wednesday.

Cesar Prieto and Cody Roberts had RBI doubles in the fourth inning to make it 8-0 before Parker Meadows finally got Erie on the board with a solo home run. The two teams traded home runs in the seventh inning before Bowie added six runs in the eighth to put the game away.

Key moment: In the top of the third inning, Bowie led 3-0 with the bases loaded and no outs. Erie went to the bullpen with Brant Hurter struggling and Bubba Derby almost worked out the jam. He induced a groundout without a run scoring and struck out the next hitter. He worked ahead of Zach Watson with a 1-2 count, but Watson ripped a three-run double and the rout was on. If Erie keeps the game 3-0 there's no telling what would have happened.

Playoff situation: Things keep getting worse for the SeaWolves. Bowie's 15-5 win drops Erie two games back in the Southwest Division with 16 games to play this season. Akron beat Altoona 4-0 which means the RubberDucks are five games back and Altoona is 7 1/2 games back.

9th inning: A few runs short of a rally

Dane Myers doubled in two runs and Parker Meadowns hit a sacrifice fly, but the SeaWolves fall 15-5.

8th inning: Bowie just keeps hitting

Hudson Haskin drilled a three-run home run, Toby Welk doubled in a run and Zach Watson doubled in two more runs to give the Baysox a 15-2 lead. Watson, the No. 9 hitter in the lineup, has driven in six runs tonight.

7th inning: SeaWolves and Baysox trade home runs

Toby Welk hits a solo home run for the Baysox before Gage Workman crushes a solo home run to right. Bowie leads Erie 9-2 after seven innings.

6th inning: Another quick inning, Erie running out of chances

Not much happened for either team in the inning as Bowie leads 8-1. The SeaWolves are struggling at the plate.

5th inning: Quick inning with Bowie cruising

Neither team does much as Bowie is dominating this game 8-1.

4th inning: Exchanging runs

Bowie just keeps hitting as Cesar Prieto doubles in a run and Cody Roberts doubles in another. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Parker Meadows launched a solo home run to get the SeaWolves on the board down 8-1.

3rd inning: Disaster strikes for Erie

Brant Hurter continued to struggle as he allowed three straight single before being pulled from the game. Bubba Derby came in and almost worked the SeaWolves out of the jam. With the infield in, Derby induced a ground ball to second baseman Andrew Navigato. He fired home for the first out but Erie couldn't turn a double play. After a strikeout, Derby had Zach Watson down to a 1-2 count, but Watson cleared the bases with a double to give Bowie a 6-0 lead. The SeaWolves continue to struggle with Cade Povich

2nd inning: Bowie erupts for three runs

Cody Mayo started the inning with a base hit and Cody Roberts' ground ball was booted. Toby Welk then doubled in a run before Andrew Daschbach singled in another. Zach Watson reached on a fielder's choice to drive in a run and give the Baysox a 3-0 lead. In the bottom of the second inning, Gage Workman singled with two outs but that is it for the SeaWolves.

1st inning: SeaWolves starter Brant Hurter with a defensive gem

Both starting pitchers have a solid first inning. Brant Hurter allows a leadoff single but makes a solid defensive play with two outs to prevent a run from scoring. Cade Povich, the No. 15 prospect for the Orioles, tossed a dominant first inning with 11 pitches including 10 strikes to strike out the side.

Starting lineups

The Bowie Baysox are in town to face the Erie SeaWolves in the most important series of the season for both teams.

Bowie took a one-game lead on Erie in the Eastern League Southwest Division after a 6-5 win on Tuesday. There are just 17 games left in the regular season. The second-half champion will join first-half winner Richmond in the EL playoffs.

More:First place, playoff positioning at stake as SeaWolves welcome Baysox for 6 games

Erie Times-News sports writer Tom Reisenweber will be at the park to cover the action and offer insights in real time. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. Return for updates or keep this article open and refresh your browser for the latest from UPMC Park starting around 5:30 p.m. The most recent post will be at the top of the article.

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This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie SeaWolves vs. Bowie Baysox live thread Aug. 31