(Lancaster, PA., Jun. 3, 2018) – The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (10-23) dropped the series finale to the Lancaster Barnstormers (25-9) 6-5, giving up four runs in the eighth inning.

A pair of scoreless innings started the afternoon before the Blue Crabs were able to break through in the top of the third. Johnny Bladel walked to lead off the inning, stealing second two batters later. Teodoro Martinez followed that with a flyball to right field, getting just deep enough to allow Bladel to tag up to third. Frank Martinez came through with a two-out single, bringing Bladel across to put the Blue Crabs on the board first.

Daryl Thompson took a no-hit bid through 3.1 innings on the mound for Southern Maryland. Blake Gailen ended it, and the shutout with a solo homerun in the fourth, tying the game at 1-1. The tie didn’t last long though as Edwin Garcia matched Gailen’s long ball with one of his own, retaking the one-run advantage.

The back-and-forth battle continued on into the sixth, as the Barnstormers tied the game once more. Gailen singled to start the frame, going first-to-third on a single from Ryan Casteel. Joey Terdoslavich followed that with a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Gailen to make the score 2-2.

The Blue Crabs offense opened things up in the top of the seventh, putting up three runs in the inning. A walk and a single put Garcia and Teodoro on with nobody out for the cleanup hitter. An error at shortstop then allowed Garcia to score the first run in the inning, and put Teodoro and Frank Martinez on second and third. Devon Rodriguez kept the line moving with a single of his own, scoring both baserunners and taking a commanding 5-2 lead.

The Barnstormers began the fight back in the bottom of the eighth, as the bullpen gave up the lead. A walk and a single started the inning for Lancaster, with a hit-by-pitch loading the bases with still nobody out in the inning. A wild pitch allowed Gailen to score from third, and moved both runners up to put the tying run in scoring position. Trayvon Robinson followed with a single, scoring both runners and tying the game back up.

Craig Stem (0-3) was then lifted in favor of Sam Runion, hoping to escape the inning still tied. Runion hit the first batter he faced, before a sacrifice bunt put runners on second and third with one out. Carlos Garcia followed that with a sacrifice fly, scoring Robinson from third to give the Barnstormers their first lead of the day.

Kevin Munson (2-0) came back out to the mound for the ninth, looking to finish off the final two innings of the game for Lancaster. Munson worked a 1-2-3 frame, picking up two strikeouts along the way to close the 6-5 win. The victory gave the Barnstormers a sweep in the four-game series, the fourth time the Blue Crabs have been swept this season.

The Blue Crabs return to action Monday, June 4th for the home series opener against the Road Warriors. 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.

About the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs

The Blue Crabs play 126 regular season games in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball Clubs. The Blue Crabs play at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, Maryland with affordable family fun. The franchise will begin its 11th season in April 2018. Please call 301-638-9788 or visit http://www.somdbluecrabs.com for more information.

About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)

The Atlantic League has been a leader in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball since 1998. Over 38 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 900 players and 50 managers and coaches have joined MLB organizations directly from the ALPB. The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment.

For more information, please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.