Blue Crabs Drop Second Straight Contest To Patriots 7-4
April 27, 2013 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs News Release
WALDORF, Md. - The Somerset Patriots defeated the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs 7-4 in front of 3,613 fans tonight at Regency Furniture Stadium. The Patriots began the game by homering in the first inning and would not relinquish the lead for the remainder of the game. In the loss, Southern Maryland drops to 3-7 in the Liberty Division, while Somerset improves to 6-3 in the Freedom Division.
First baseman Jose Julio-Ruiz led the way for the Blue Crabs this evening, going 2-for-4 and contributing two RBIs on the night. Julio-Ruiz brought the Blue Crabs within one in the fourth as the team attempted a bottom of the inning rally however, the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs would be unable to add any more runs in the frame. Designated-hitter Ryan Mulhern would have the only other multi-hit game (2-for-4), while center fielder Jeremy Owens continued to warm up after a cool streak, going 1-for-3 with two walks and two stolen bases.
Somerset's second baseman Jonny Tucker went 3-for-5 tonight for the Patriots, dishing out three RBIs and one run in the contest. Catcher Jake Fox also hit his second home run in as many nights for the Patriots as he went 2-for-5 with one run and one RBI.
LHP Jeremy Sowers would not perform as strongly on the mound as he did in his last start against Somerset. Despite pitching two strong innings to begin the game, Sowers would eventually unravel in the fifth, walking the first three batters he faced. In four innings the starter allowed five runs on four hits and three walks.
For the Patriots RHP Mitch Atkins also faced trouble throughout his five innings pitched. The Blue Crabs would nab four runs off of three hits, while Atkins managed five strikeouts in his start and walking four.
Sowers began the game by retiring the first two batters he faced, but gave up a home run to the next batter Fox. The home run was the second of the series for the catcher who went 2-for-5 last night. Despite a leadoff walk by Owens, the Blue Crabs were unable to add any runs in the bottom of the inning as the Patriots took an early 1-0 lead.
Sowers quickly redeemed himself in the second by retiring the next three batters in a row and the Blue Crabs defense helped the 26 year-old get out of trouble in the third. Patriots center fielder Aharon Eggleston would be hit by a pitch, advancing to first in the top of the third with one out, but the Blue Crabs would get two outs right back as Sowers struck out shortstop Bobby Stevens and Eggleston was caught stealing at second. Designated hitter Yunesky Sanchez, who has collected seven hits in the first eight games, then came to the plate. Fortunately though, a fly out to the shortstop for Sanchez helped the Blue Crabs get out of the inning without a run scored.
Southern Maryland wouldn't be much help on the offensive side in those same innings, despite the Blue Crabs getting runners to the corners in the second with two outs. Somerset would retire the next batter second baseman Wladimir Sutil and was able to get out of the inning with the two runners left on base. In the third Owens continued to turnaround his performance after a slow start to the season with a leadoff single and stolen base. Yet Atkins again got the next three consecutive batters out as the score remained 1-0 in favor of the patriots.
Playing a part in moving Blue Crabs batters to the corners in the second inning, Mulhern would help by getting himself on base in the bottom of the fourth. The ensuing batter Julio-Ruiz would get Mulhern, plus himself home as he belted a two-run homerun over the right field wall, for his first home run of the season and a 2-1 score at the end of four.
After allowing the leadoff batter on base in three innings straight (second through fifth) the Patriots would finally capitalize on the situation in the top of the fifth. Sowers struggled, walking the first three batters he faced in the inning. Manager Patrick Osborn chose to replace Sowers in favor of RHP Kyle Mertins with the bases loaded. Mertins, who was faced with a tough task of a bases loaded situation with no outs, had work to do. Somerset's Tucker would tally his first hit with a single followed by a Sanchez single, putting the Patriots ahead 3-2. Mertins would battle back, retiring the three of the next four batters, but not before a sacrifice fly for a tally and Mertins throwing a wild pitch to add two more to the board for Somerset.
A bottom of the inning rally would be in the works for the Blue Crabs however as Patriots pitcher Atkins began to lose momentum. Owens reached base for the third time on the night as he led-off the inning with a walk and stolen base for the second time tonight. Shortstop Renny Osuna was then sent to first after being hit by a pitch as outfielder Brian Barton dropped down a sacrifice bunt. Somerset would then tally back-to-back errors from the third baseman and pitcher Atkins. Third baseman Smith would overthrow first as he tried to get Barton out, leaving him at first and allowing Owens to score, while pitcher Atkins also over threw first base as he checked the runner during the next at bat, allowing Osuna the score as the Blue Crabs shortened the Patriots lead to 5-4.
The Blue Crabs would be unable to contribute any more runs to the board after the fifth inning, however Tucker's single to right field would chip in two more runs in the eighth inning and a stolen base for the 7-4 final over Southern Maryland.
The Blue Crabs remain home Sunday to close out a three-game series against the Somerset Patriots. The game slated for 2:05 p.m. will be the seventh meeting between the two clubs this season. Southern Maryland will then have an off-day Monday before heading back on the road for a six-game road trip Tuesday. The Liberty Division's first-place Bridgeport Bluefish will be the Blue Crabs first opponent in a three-game series, before facing the Camden Riversharks for the first time this season starting on May 3. Fans can listen to the Blue Crabs live broadcast tomorrow on www.phoenixintermedia.com with pre-game beginning at 6:15 p.m. Fans can also follow the Blue Crabs on www.somdbluecrabs.com.
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