(Waldorf, MD., Jul. 28, 2018) – The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (6-10) won the second game against the Long Island Ducks (9-8) 6-3, leading from start to finish on the night.
Southern Maryland grabbed an early lead on the night, scoring in the first for the second straight night. Ryan Strausborger led off the inning with a double, hitting off the very top of the wall in left field. A single from Edwin Garcia moved Strausborger over to third, setting up a sacrifice fly from Devon Rodriguez to open the scoring.
After a pair of scoreless innings, the Blue Crabs added two more to their lead in the bottom of the fourth. Rodriguez led off the inning with a solo homerun, his fourth homerun of the season. Jon Griffin would follow that with a single but was replaced at first by Frank Martinez on a fielder’s choice. Angelo Songco then doubled, bringing Martinez around all the way from first to extend the lead to 3-0.
The Ducks would begin the fight back in the fifth, scoring one in the inning. Daniel Fields led off with a double, coming around to score on a double from Cody Puckett. After a sacrifice bunt moved Puckett to third, starter Paul Clemens was ejected from the game and turned the runner to Tommy Shirley (1-0). The southpaw reliever retired back-to-back hitters to strand the runner at third and maintain a two-run lead.
After six innings from Matt Larkins (5-3), Long Island turned things over to their bullpen in the seventh. Cory Vaughn walked to start that frame, moving first-to-third two batters later on a single from Angelys Nina. A walk to Teodoro Martinez loaded the bases for Garcia, who singled up the middle to score Vaughn and Nina. A pair of wild pitches in the next at-bat brought home Martinez, putting Southern Maryland ahead 6-1.
A two-run homerun from David Washington cut the lead to three runs heading to the ninth, where the Blue Crabs would send closer Cody Eppley (S,9) to the mound. The right-hander would retire the side in order, finishing off his ninth save of the season. The 6-3 win evened the series between the teams, setting up a deciding series finale tomorrow.
The Blue Crabs return to action Sunday, July 29th for the final game in the series against the Ducks. First pitch is scheduled for 2:05 P.M. on Sunday 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.