(Waldorf, MD., Jun. 10, 2018) – The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (15-24) dropped the series finale against the Sugar Land Skeeters (24-16) 4-3, with the Skeeters taking the game in 12 innings.
The game started with a scoreless inning from each side, before the teams traded runs in the second. A one-out walk from Brandon Cumpton put the first runner of the game aboard, as Albert Cordero headed down to first. Kyle Kubitza followed that with a double, scoring Cordero from first for the opening run in the game. Jon Griffin tied the game for the Blue Crabs in the bottom half of the inning, launching a solo homerun to left-center field.
The Blue Crabs took their first lead on the day in the fourth, scratching across a run in the inning. Edwin Garcia led off the inning with a single, moving up on a fielder’s choice from Frank Martinez. Angelo Songco doubled down the left field line, easily scoring Garcia to grab a 2-1 lead.
Cumpton settled in for a few innings after the second, allowing just one hit over the next three innings. The starter allowed a solo homerun to Denis Phipps in the sixth to tie the game, and then came back out for the seventh. Cumpton hit Barrett Barnes to start the inning, before a strikeout picked up the first out in the inning. A single from Javier Betancourt put two on for the top of the order. After a flyout for out number two, Cumpton allowed a single to Matt Chavez that scored Barnes from second. That ended the day for Cumpton, who handed two runners over to reliever Sam Runion. Runion got the only batter he faced in the inning to flyout, limiting the score to just a 3-2 deficit.
Konnor Wade was strong on the mound for the Skeeters as well, working deep into the game. After the RBI double from Songco, Wade retired the final 14 batters he faced. The right-hander got through eight full innings, maintaining the 3-2 lead before handing it over to the closer in the ninth.
Felipe Paulino came on looking to finish off the game, after taking the loss in last night’s outing. Paulino allowed a single to Teodoro Martinez to start things off, putting Southern Maryland’s fastest runner on base. They followed with a hit-and-run, as Martinez took off for second and Garcia sent a line drive down the right field line. Martinez circled all the way around to score, tying the game before Garcia was thrown out trying to stretch the hit to a triple. Paulino got the next two batters in order, sending the game to extra innings.
Neither team could get a baserunner in the first two extra innings, before the Skeeters offense finally got something going in the 12th inning. A double started the inning, before a fielder’s choice put runners on the corners with nobody down in the inning. A groundball to shortstop allowed Javier Betancourt to score, giving Sugar Land the lead.
Kraig Sitton (1-0) returned to the mound after a 1-2-3 11th inning, looking to finish his own win. Sitton got a flyout to start the inning, before back-to-back singles put runners on the corners with one down in the inning. After a mound visit, Sitton settled down, getting a popup and a groundout to finish the 4-3 win for the Skeeters.
The Blue Crabs return to action Tuesday, June 11th for the road series opener against the Long Island Ducks. First pitch is scheduled for 2:05 P.M. on Tuesday at Bethpage Ballpark.
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.