Baysox Notebook: Clark Gives Bowie Pitching Help

Zach Clark has been both a starter and relief pitcher in his minor league career. But he’s found his niche in the first part of 2011 as a starter.

Clark has given the Baysox three good starts so far and is 2-1 this year with a solid 2.75 ERA. The former UMBC pitcher has helped Bowie in a month that’s been littered by rain-outs.

Last year, Clark posted just a 3-9 record with a 4.29 ERA as he split time between the bullpen and starting while pitching for mostly Frederick and Bowie. But he’s been with the Baysox since the start this season.

His first game was a bullpen appearance, but he went to the starting role after that and has given the Baysox a boost.

Clark first threw five shutout innings against Richmond, giving up four hits and getting the . He then gave up three runs on eight hits in six innings versus Akron and got the loss despite pitching well.

His latest start came on April 26, where Clark allowed one run on five hits in five innings .

Bowie’s pitching has been good in the last few weeks, something that could keep the Baysox in the division race this season.

BEING SAVED

Closer Jose Diaz has been the best in the Class AA Eastern League so far this season.

The right-hander is 0-2 but has an impressive 1.86 ERA and leads the league with eight saves already this year.

He’s given up just two earned runs in 9 2/3 innings and shown his power by striking out 10 and walking just one.

If Diaz can keep up this performance, it will give the Baysox a big lift—unless he does so well that the Orioles would move him to Triple-A Norfolk.

That’s always a risk in minor-league baseball, But there’s no question how well Diaz is pitching as he’s gotten more saves than some teams have recorded.

STILL RUNNING

keeps on rolling.

The Bowie centerfielder still leads the Eastern League in steals with 14 overall. He’s got a big lead, and his number is even more impressive since the Georgia native is hitting only .227 through 19 games.

Avery’s steals could keep getting higher as he settles in and gets adjusted to Eastern League pitching.

He played most of last year with Class A Frederick and did get 10 steals in his 27 games with Bowie.