AtL Southern Maryland Blue Crabs

Barton's Bat Bedazzles

Published on August 24, 2011 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs News Release


Central Islip, NY - Designated hitter Brian Barton hit two homers and drove in four runs as the Blue Crabs took the rubber match of a three-game series from the Long Island Ducks 7-4 on Wednesday night from Bethpage Ballpark.

For the third-straight night the Blue Crabs scored first as first baseman Casey Benjamin (13) led off the second inning with a solo homer to give Southern Maryland a 1-0 lead. Barton (9) followed Benjamin's act with a solo homer of his own in the fourth to increase the Blue Crabs' lead to two.

Long Island battled back with two runs in the fourth. Catcher J.R. House drove in a run with a single, before a RBI fielder's choice by right fielder Matt Esquivel tied the game at two apiece.

The Blue Crabs retook the lead by scoring two in the fifth on a RBI groundout by Barton and a RBI single by Benjamin to get Southern Maryland a 4-2 advantage. The Ducks responded however, with an infield RBI single by designated hitter Lew Ford, which trimmed the Blue Crabs' lead to one.

Centerfielder Adam Godwin, however, would get the run right back for the Blue Crabs as his sac fly in the sixth inning pushed the lead back to two for Southern Maryland.

Back came the Ducks as Ford drove in his second run of the game with a sac fly in the seventh to make the score 5-4.

But Barton provided some much-needed insurance for the Blue Crabs in the ninth inning as he blasted his second homer of the game, a two-run shot over the leftfield wall to give Southern Maryland a 7-4 lead.

Closer Jim Ed Warden came on in the ninth to nail down his 26th save in 29 opportunities as the Blue Crabs pen held the Ducks to one run on five hits over the game's final three innings.

In addition to Barton's heroics, Benjamin chipped in with a 2-4 effort and two RBI as well. Long Island lost despite posting 13 hits for the night. House registered three hits in five at-bats with an RBI, while Ford, shortstop Javier Colina, first baseman Freddie Thon, and centerfielder Kraig Binick each had two hits to aid the Long Island cause.

Starter Eddie Rodriguez (7-4) got the win for the Blue Crabs after allowing three runs on eight hits in six innings of work. He also walked four and struck out four. The loss went to Long Island starter Joselo Diaz (5-8) as the right-hander allowed four runs on four hits in five frames. In addition, Diaz walked four and struck out seven.

The Blue Crabs now head to Bridgeport to take on the Bluefish in a key three-game series from Harbor Yard. Game one is Thursday at 7:05 as the Blue Crabs will send right-hander Michael Schlact (6-3, 4.04 ERA) to the hill against fellow-righty Esteban Yan (0-3, 9.75 ERA) for the Ducks. The game can be heard on www.somdbluecrabs.com.

Check out the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Atlantic League Stories from August 24, 2011


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.

OurSports Central