(Sugar Land, TX., May 20, 2018) – The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (7-14) came up short in the series finale against the Sugar Land Skeeters (15-7) 4-1, giving Sugar Land five wins in the seven-game series.
For the first time since the series opener on Monday, neither team scored in the first inning. The 0-0 game headed to the second, where Sugar Land would grab the lead with a pair of runs. Courtney Hawkins started the inning with a double, with Barret Barnes reaching via a walk behind him. A groundball to third set up a double play, leaving just Barnes on second with two down in the inning. Alvaro Rondon walked to extend the inning for Kyle Kubitza, who came through with a double to score both runners.
Matt Sergey (1-1) was dominant to start the game on the mound for Sugar Land. The right-hander, in just his second start of the season, allowed just one hit through his first four innings of work. The Blue Crabs were finally able to get on the board again him in the fifth, on a triple from Jose Gonzalez. The RBI hit scored Edwin Garcia, and cut the deficit down just one run.
The Skeeters retook their two-run advantage in the sixth when Denis Phipps drove in Barnes. The Blue Crabs offense looked to respond right away, threatening in the top of the seventh. Back-to-back singles started the inning, putting the tying run on base. A groundout followed, moving both runners up to scoring position, before a walk to Garcia loaded the bases. Gonzalez was up next, but rolled into a 6-4-3 double play, allowing the Sugar Land to escape and maintain their 3-1 lead.
A solo homerun from Phipps added another run to the Skeeters lead in the bottom of the eighth. Feliple Paulino (S,6) came on for the ninth inning, looking to finish off the series finale. Angelo Songco led off the frame with a single through the right side of the infield. A walk to Teodoro Martinez followed, bringing the tying run to the plate for Southern Maryland with still nobody out. A popup got out number one for the Skeeters closer, with a fielder’s choice bringing them one out away from the win. Gonzalez came back to the plate and Paulino forced him to pop out to second, stranding two runners on base and securing the 4-1 win for Sugar Land.
The Blue Crabs return to action Monday, May 21st for series opener of a four-game home series against the New Britain Bees. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 P.M. on Monday at Regency Furniture Stadium.
For more information on the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, or to reserve your seat today for any of the Blue Crabs upcoming home games, please visit our website at somdbluecrabs.com or call us at 301-638-9788.