
Barnstormers Battle Back to Take Opener
July 20, 2018 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs News Release
(Waldorf, MD.) - The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (5-5) dropped the series opener against the Lancaster Barnstormers (5-6) 3-2, with the Barnstormers rallying for all three of their runs in the seventh inning.
The Blue Crabs wasted no time grabbing the lead on the night, putting up a run in the bottom of the first. Teodoro Martinez led off the inning with a single, but he was caught stealing for the first out in the inning. Edwin Garcia added a single after the caught stealing, moving around to third on a single from Frank Martinez. Jon Griffin would lift a flyball to center after that, doing just enough to bring home Garcia and open the scoring on the night.
The offense would keep things going in the second, adding another to their lead. After a groundout started the frame, Brooks Hall (7-2) issued a walk to Cory Vaughn. The hit-and-run was on after that, as Craig Maddox singled through the right side of the infield to move Vaughn around to third. After a strikeout put two down in the inning, a wild pitch allowed Vaughn to come home and grab a 2-0 lead.
Drake Britton was solid on the night for Southern Maryland in his 12th start of the season. The southpaw worked five strong innings on the mound, allowing just four hits on his night. Britton was lifted from the game after the fifth, handing the two-run advantage over to his bullpen to go the rest of the night.
After a scoreless sixth, the Barnstormers came alive in the seventh to take their first lead on the night. K.C. Hobson led off with a single, moving up to second when a walk was issued to Josh Bell. A sacrifice bunt moved both runners to scoring position, setting up a two-RBI single from Vladimir Frias that would tie the game. A walk and a hit-by-pitch followed, loading the bases with still just one out in the inning for Blake Gailen. The powerful left-hander hit a flyball to center field, deep enough to allow Frias to tag up from third and give Lancaster a 3-2 lead.
The Blue Crabs looked to respond right away, as Angelys Nina led off the bottom half of the inning with a double. A sacrifice bunt attempt from Teodoro Martinez led to a fielder's choice when Nina was safe at third, putting runners on the corners with nobody out. A safety squeeze attempted ensued, but the bunt from Garcia didn't get far enough from the plate and Nina was tagged out trying to score. A flyout and a strikeout followed, allowing the Barnstormers to escape with the one run lead still intact.
A scoreless eighth sent things to the ninth, where Lancaster brought on their closer Matt Reynolds (S,18). The left-hander got two quick groundouts to start the inning, before an infield single from Teodoro Martinez extended the game. Reynolds bounced back to get a groundout from Garcia, ending the game at giving the Barnstormers the opener by a score of 3-2.
The Blue Crabs return to action Saturday, July 21st for the second matchup in the three-game series against the Barnstormers. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 P.M. on Saturday 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.
Atlantic League Stories from July 20, 2018
- Flores Flourishes in Patriots Win over Ducks on Friday Night - Somerset Patriots
- Lyons Records 1,000th Career Hit in Series Opener vs. Somerset - Long Island Ducks
- Bees Begin Homestand With Series Opening Victory Over Road Warriors - New Britain Bees
- Barnstormers Catch Break, Grab Series Opener - Lancaster Stormers
- Barnstormers Battle Back to Take Opener - Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
- Two Time Atlantic League All Star Rosa Returns to New Britain - New Britain Bees
- Ducks Waddle Off On Bees To Take Rubber Game Of Series - New Britain Bees
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent Southern Maryland Blue Crabs Stories
- Blue Crabs Stifled, Drop Finale to Lancaster 8-2
- Holy Crab: Blue Crabs Sweep Double-Header Scoring Five Runs to Win Both in Walk-Offs, Stunning Lancaster 9-5 and 9-8
- Blue Crabs Announce Two Local Concessions Vendors for 2024 at RFS
- Blue Crabs Announce 2024 Regular Season Schedule
- Braxton Lee Named to ALPB All-Defensive Team

