Reading, PA (August 12, 2026) – The Chesapeake Baysox, the Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, bounced back against the Reading Fightin Phils, the Double-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, winning 3-2 on Wednesday night behind yet another stellar start from left-hander Joseph Dzierwa.
The southpaw led Chesapeake (23-18, 52-57) to victory, striking out seven across six scoreless innings. It was the second consecutive six-inning start without allowing a run for Dzierwa, following his start last Thursday at home against Harrisburg. Dating back to his start on July 31 in Altoona, Dzierwa has now not allowed any earned runs in his past three starts with the Baysox. He’s gone 19 innings on the mound since his last earned run surrendered, on July 24 at home against Erie.
Dzierwa struck out the side in the first inning on Wednesday and struck out five in his first two frames, working around a pair of second-inning walks. He retired seven consecutive batters until a walk started the fifth. Dzierwa stranded the leadoff baserunner in the fifth. After coming back out for the sixth, he allowed his first and only hit of the night, a one-out single to Pedro Leon, before generating an inning-ending double play ball to finish the frame.
Dzierwa (W, 3-1) logged the sixth quality start of his debut professional season on Wednesday night and his fourth with the Baysox. His 1.98 ERA at the Double-A level this season is second-best of any pitcher with at least 55 innings at the level. His 82 strikeouts with the Baysox this season are second-most at the Double-A level since his Chesapeake debut on May 22, while his 132 total strikeouts on the season are one away from the most in all of Minor League Baseball.
The Baysox backed their southpaw starter before he even took the hill on Wednesday night. On the first pitch of the game, Aron Estrada belted a leadoff home run onto the roof of the brick event center to the right of center field. The long ball was Estrada’s team-leading eighteenth of the season and third leadoff shot of the campaign. Estrada has homered in back-to-back games to open the series in Reading, marking the third time he’s homered in consecutive contests in 2026.
The Baysox made it a multi-run first after Wehiwa Aloy reached on a fielder’s choice, stole second, and scored on a two-out RBI single from Frederick Bencosme. Chesapeake added on a third run in the fourth without the aid of a hit. Griff O’Ferrall reached after striking out on a wild pitch. He then stole second and third before crossing home on a Fernando Peguero sacrifice fly. All three Baysox runs on Wednesday crossed on the line of Fightin Phils starter Luke Russo (L, 9-7).
Left-hander Sebastian Gongora pitched out of the bullpen for Chesapeake. After a scoreless seventh, Reading made things interesting in the eighth, getting on the board courtesy of a Raylin Heredia single and an Alex Binelas groundout. Gongora (S, 1) would end the eighth by stranding the tying run at third base before working a scoreless ninth.
After an Erie loss in Hartford on Wednesday night, the Baysox move back within four games of first place in the Eastern League’s Southwest division second half standings.
Chesapeake continues the series in Reading on Thursday night. Right-hander Pat Reilly (AA: 0-1, 5.79 ERA) takes the ball for the Baysox against Fightin Phils left-hander Alex Seminaris (10-7, 3.37 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 pm from FirstEnergy Stadium.
The Baysox return home on Tuesday, August 18, when they open a six-game set with the Richmond Flying Squirrels, the Double-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. First pitch on Tuesday is set for 6:35 pm ET.
Single-game tickets, ticket plans, and group offers for the 2026 season are currently on sale. For more information on the Baysox schedule, tickets, and the latest team news, fans can call 301.805.6000, visit Baysox.com, or follow the team on Facebook, X, and Instagram.