Local pitcher boosts morale as Big Train falls to Giants

by Lily Stewart

Concessions manager turned closing pitcher Trevor Orth (Esther Frances)

ROCKVILLE, Md. — On a steamy Saturday night, the Bethesda Big Train fell to the Gaithersburg Giants, 12-5, at Shirley Povich.

The night saw hot bats at the beginning for both teams. The Giants went up first, but the Big Train answered, putting up two runs in the bottom of the first, taking the lead, 2-1. Then, both pitchers stepped up and kept the second inning scoreless.

“The three elements of the game, which we harp on: fundamentals, catching the ball, and pitching. We just didn’t do that tonight,” said Manager Sal Colangelo.

That was the end of the hot bats for Bethesda as the Giants went on a scoring rampage, putting up 11 runs over the rest of the game.

However, the night didn’t end there for Bethesda as the Big Train's concessions manger turned into the closing pitcher.

Trevor Orth (Roanoke), stepped up in the eighth inning to close out for the Big Train. Orth saw six batters and set down all six.

“My goal was to just keep the boys in the game in case they came back,” said Orth.

Orth pitched for the Metro SOCO Braves last summer, and despite posting a 2.91 ERA over 21.2 innings for Roanoke this spring, Orth opted to help the Big Train on the operation end instead of pitching. However, the Big Train found a need for him.

“Trevor came in and it was just a testament to when you throw strikes good things happen,” said Colangelo.

The crowd vocalized its support of Trevor, as he has made many friends, from the volunteers to players to host families.

“That was awesome, I heard them in the beginning, but then I turned it on and got to work,” said Orth.

During Orth’s outing, the Big Train was able to bring in two more runs, but ultimately the effort wasn’t enough for a comeback.

The Big Train will travel to Montgomery Blair High School Sunday night to take on the Silver Spring-Takoma Thunderbolts at 6 p.m. If you can’t join us in person, make sure to watch via the livestream.

Notes: Eighty-seven Big Train players, staff, interns, and fans served at six Montgomery County nonprofits on Saturday morning at our Third Annual Roberto Clemente Community Service Day. Read more here. On a steamy Saturday night, 611 fans attended a game that lasted three hours and 14 minutes.… It was Tribute to Latin Baseball Night with Big Train players wearing a jersey with Gran Tren on the front and Clemente’s 21 on the back and music by Mariachi Son dé America.... A Big Train clear sling bag presented by FitBite Orthodontics was given to the first 300 fans, and Dr. Linda Hallman threw a ceremonial first pitch.… Sandy Spring Builders and Hibiscus Health were other sponsors of the night…. Shepherd’s Table was the Community Hero group of the night and its executive director Manny Hidalgo threw out a first pitch and received an individual Big Train Community Hero Award….. Natali Fani-Gonzalez, a Montgomery County Councilmember, was a special guest…. Martin Lourie celebrated his 11^th Birthday with a first pitch…. Big Train recognized Mirandas Pro Painters for its excellent work in beautifying Povich Field for the summer and Pablo Miranda threw out a first pitch…. Big Train fan favorite Steven Leach (BT 2006-2008) traveled to Povich Field to help us celebrate our 25th season with his son who threw out a first pitch and served as assistant bat boy…. It was Patrick Chapman Appreciation Night to honor Big Train assistant general manager Patrick Chapman for his nine years of service to Big Train as he heads to London this fall to study at the London School of Economics. Fans received a Patrick Chapman Appreciation Night hand fan. Patrick threw out a first pitch and received a Big Train Randy Schools Big Train Outstanding Service Award.