Bowie Baysox

The living flag On an average day, Fort McHenry is a pretty nifty place to visit. And on a patriotic holiday, Fort McHenry is all the more nifty with the pomp, pageantry and circumstance. But Tuesday, when the fort plays host to the Living American Flag, it'll be even better. The Living American Flag brings together 2,000 elementary school-age pupils from around the state to form an American flag. Children and their parents will hold red, white or blue rectangular cards over their heads, creating a replica of the 15-stripe, 15-star Star-Spangled Banner that flies over the fort and inspired the national anthem.

Jason Maxey watches every home Bowie Baysox game from the team's bullpen near the right-field corner. He can sit on the bench that is built into a wall and have a perfect view of the field. It is one of the best seats in Prince George's Stadium - and Maxey would rather not have it. Maxey started the season as the bullpen catcher for the Bowie Baysox, the Class AA minor-league affiliate of the Orioles. The Howard County native and former All-Metro Hammond High star has that role because the parent club wants to give him time to let his surgically repaired right shoulder continue healing.

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BOWIE -- The Bowie Baysox went 0-5 in April against the Portland Sea Dogs, the Eastern League's best team, and were outscored 21-4.Last night at Prince George's County Stadium, Bowie finally broke through in the series, edging the Sea Dogs, 5-4, in 11 innings when Jose Millares scored on a throwing error by Edgar Renteria.Billy Owens walked to start the inning against reliever Don Lemon (0-3), who then balked pinch-runner Millares to second. A grounder by Scott McClain advanced the runner to third and Portland brought in its infield with one out.B.

BOWIE -- New Britain clubbed four home runs and never trailed in a 7-4 victory over the Bowie Baysox at Prince George's Stadium last night in the Double-A Eastern League.The Rock Cats beat Julio Moreno (5-2), who had been almost unhittable at home (3-0, 0.32 ERA entering the game).Doug Mientkiewicz and David Ortiz hit consecutive homers off Moreno in the first, and two other fly balls were caught on the warning track in the inning.Bowie (29-28) battled back to tie at 2 on Johnny Isom's run-scoring grounder in the first and Chris Kirgan's sixth homer off winner Shane Bowers (7-1)

BOWIE -- Frustration was the order of the game for the Bowie Baysox yesterday.They left the bases loaded three times, the last in the ninth inning, and left 11 stranded overall to fall to the Reading Phillies, 4-2, in Eastern League play at Prince George's Stadium.A boisterous crowd of 5,783 -- mostly children from day camps -- had thinned considerably after a 43-minute rain delay interceded with the bases full and one out in the bottom of the ninth.When play resumed, left-hander Robert Dodd entered to face Chris Kirgan, who popped out. Then, Keith Troutman finished off Bowie (39-37)

BOWIE -- Orioles right-hander Sidney Ponson pronounced himself fit and ready last night after pitching four scoreless innings for the Bowie Baysox in a Double-A Eastern League game against the Akron Aeros at Prince George's Stadium. "I felt pretty good," said Ponson, who has been on the major-league disabled list since April 17 with elbow tendinitis. "They sent me down here to face some hitters, and hopefully my next start will be for the Orioles." Ponson allowed three hits, all singles, in the Baysox's 5-3 win over the Aeros before a crowd of 8,979 spectators.

Yesterday Triple-A International League Toledo 9, Ottawa 3: Marcus Thames went 3-for-4 with two doubles and a home run as four players went deep for the host Mud Hens (19-20). Andy Van Hekken (3-2) got the win. Bruce Chen (0-2) took the loss for the Lynx (16-23). Jose Leon and Jack Cust each homered for the Lynx. Double-A Eastern League Bowie 8, Akron 4: The host Baysox (20-18) led 7-2 after four innings. With the win, Bowie stays a half game in front of the Aeros (19-18) in the South Division.

BaseballOrioles -- Sent OF Chito Martinez to Double-A Bowie. Recalled P Fernando Valenzuela from Bowie.Chicago White Sox -- Purchased the contract of P Barry Jones from Triple-A Nashville. Placed P Terry Leach (tendinitis in right elbow) on 15-day DL, retroactive to Saturday. Designated Nashville IF Shawn Gilbert for assignment.Cleveland Indians -- Purchased the contract of P Matt Young from Triple-A Charlotte. Sent P Mike Christopher to Charlotte.Kansas City Royals -- Traded ex-Orioles P Mike Boddicker to the Milwaukee Brewers for a player to be named.