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Late Errors Cost Big Train in 14-12 Slugfest Loss to Grays
Bethesda Big Train batter Ryan Foscolo (30) waits for a pitch during the game against the DC Grays at Robert J. Talbot Field on Monday, July 20, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)
WASHINGTON — Down 12-4 at the end of the fourth inning, the Bethesda Big Train seemed off the rails. Even after multiple comeback bids this season, eight runs seemed like a mountain too high to climb.
Yet, a two-run sixth frame and then a six-run seventh put the game back to square in a tied contest. However, another comeback attempt for Bethesda couldn’t go the visiting team’s way, as the Big Train were down 14-12 in an slugfest at Robert J. Talbot Field at Catholic University on Monday.
A bad break in the bottom of the eighth inning handed the game to a D.C. Grays squad that sits at seventh in the Ripken Sr. League standings.
The Grays baserunner advanced to third base due to an error and a wild pitch. With right-handed pitcher Jordan Capuano (Youngstown State) on the mound, the Penguin tried a pickoff attempt at first. However, the ball caromed away. It led to a game-winning run before D.C. tacked on an insurance run due to a wild pitch in the next at-bat.
Even in the loss, Capuano pitched a stellar performance on the turf field. In his four innings pitched, he gave up no hits and struck out six opposing batters. For a player who had control issues to start the season, Capuano got out of multiple jams in his 62 pitches, while both of the runs he allowed were unearned.
Bethesda Big Train Pitcher Jordan Capuano (36) stands on the mound during the game against the DC Grays at Robert J. Talbot Field on Monday, July 20, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)
In the batter’s box, the Big Train also compiled quality performances Tuesday.
Right fielder Zachary Malvasio (UCF) launched a home run in the seventh inning. The 356-foot homer gave Malvasio his ninth of the season and increased his Ripken Sr. League-leading total to four better than second place.
After hitting a home run against the Gaithersburg Giants on Sunday, Malvasio finished the away contest 3-for-6 at the plate with four RBIs.
Bethesda doubled the Grays' hits — 18 to 9 — but couldn’t capitalize on multiple baserunner situations, stranding 15 runners on base. Catcher Jack Gagen (Norfolk State) also provided a steady bat with a 2-for-5 and 3 RBI night. Center fielder Will Haacke (James Madison) was the only other Big Train player with multiple RBIs, going 2-for-4 at the plate with 2 RBIs and two walks.
However, early pitching woes sunk the Big Train in the contest. The Grays took advantage of inconsistent pitching from Bethesda in the opening four innings. D.C. scored four, five and three runs in the first, third and fourth innings, respectively.
Right-hander Jack Sams (Kentucky) started the contest, but only produced two innings on 47 pitches. Sams gave up four hits and four earned runs, while striking out two opposing hitters.
After Sams, Big Train head coach Sal Colangelo and pitching coach Craig Lopez turned to left-handed pitcher Terry Kaler (Eastern Michigan) for middle-inning relief.
The decision to bring in the lefty turned against Bethesda quickly, as Kaler gave up five runs in his first inning of work. The Concord, North Carolina, native finished his ninth appearance of the season after two innings and 75 pitches. Kaler allowed five hits, six earned runs and five walks with just one strikeout.
However, a six-run top of the seventh frame for the Big Train created tension for the fans inside Robert J. Talbot Field in the final two innings.
Malvasio’s home run started the scoring, bringing home second baseman Brennon Wright (South Alabama), who walked on four pitches to be Bethesda’s first baserunner of the frame.
A couple of at-bats later, Haacke singled on a hard-hit ball to the Grays shortstop. He couldn’t get the throw to first in time during a bases-loaded situation, allowing first baseman Parker Corbin (Akron) to score. A Gagen single on the next at-bat then led to left fielder Ryan Foscolo (Kentucky) and third baseman Logan Ponnett (George Mason) scoring.
Bethesda Big Train outfielder Jack Gagen (19) runs toward first base during the game against the DC Grays at Robert J. Talbot Field on Monday, July 20, 2026 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Matthew Lewyn/Bethesda Community Base Ball Club)
The pair of runs brought the Big Train back to only a one-run deficit, which shortstop Cal Johnson (Maryland) erased with a single to right field. The hit scored Haacke, but with two runners on the basepaths, Wright had a chance to get another clutch hit. After the lineup got back to its first base runner, Wright grounded out to end the miraculous inning.
Before the comeback frame, Bethesda tacked on two runs in the sixth. Malvasio singled to center field for his second RBI of the contest, scoring designated hitter Kieran Coleman (Clarion) — who entered the game due to Emilio Gonzalez’s (Nova Southeastern) ejection in the second inning.
Foscolo then provided an RBI sacrifice fly in a 3-1 count to bring home Malvasio.
The Big Train stayed in the game with clutch hitting in big spots, which led to Bethesda chipping away at the Grays' lead. Gagen and Wright produced RBI knocks in the second inning, Haacke followed with one in the third and Malvasio hit a sacrifice fly in the fourth frame.
Bethesda stays on the road to close out the regular season. Now, the Big Train travel to Montgomery Blair Stadium on Tuesday for 5 and 7 p.m. matchups against the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts. Bethesda also holds a half-game lead for top of the standings over the Olney Cropdusters, who the Big Train play at 6 p.m. on Wednesday.