AtL Southern Maryland Blue Crabs

Blue Crabs Bounce Back in Extra-Inning Finale

Published on June 14, 2018 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs News Release


(Central Islip, NY.) - The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (16-26) defeated the Long Island Ducks (24-19) 5-4, in a hard-fought extra-inning win.

The Blue Crabs got on the board first on a leadoff solo homerun in the second from Frank Martinez. Ryan Strausborger started the third inning with a double, immediately threatening Jair Jurrjens once again. Edwin Garcia and Teodoro Martinez each followed with a sacrifice fly, moving Strausborger up to third and then across to score. The RBI from Martinez allowed Strausborger to add a second run to the early lead for Casey Delgado.

The Ducks offense threatened Delgado twice in the first four innings, loading the bases in the first and the third. The right-hander forced a groundout in the first to strand all three runners, with a flyout in the third getting the job done as well. Long Island finally got one off the starter in the bottom of the fifth on a solo homerun from Travis Snider. Snider's fifth homerun of the season brought the Southern Maryland lead to just 2-1.

The Blue Crabs padded their lead in the seventh, adding two important insurance runs. Back-to-back strikeouts started the inning, before an error by the shortstop allowed Francisco Rosario to reach base. Strausborger made the most of the extended inning, doubling to score Rosario from first. Garcia followed with a single, scoring Strausborger to move ahead 4-1.

The Ducks battled back in the bottom of the eighth, scoring two of their own in the inning. After two quick outs got the inning started, a walk to Cody Puckett extended the frame. Dan Lyons singled behind him, setting up a two-RBI triple from Jordany Valdespin, cutting the lead back to just one run.

The rally continued for Long Island in the ninth, as they looked to walk it off for the second straight game. An error at second base allowed David Washington to reach base, who was immediately pinch ran for by Anthony Vega. A strikeout brought Cody Eppley within one out of finishing the game, but a single from Daniel Fields kept the Ducks alive. Puckett doubled in the gap, easily scoring Vega before a 9-4-2 relay caught Fields to cut down the winning run and send the game to extras.

A scoreless tenth inning began the extra frames, before the Blue Crabs grabbed the lead back in the 11th. Vaughn battled for a 10-pitch walk to lead things off, with Austin Green following with a bunt attempt. Green laid it down perfectly on the third base line, allowing him to reach on a single and sending Vaughn all the way around to third. Pinch-hitter Jon Griffin then came through with a single, scoring Vaughn to take a 5-4 lead.

Craig Stem (1-3) returned to the mound for his second inning of work, looking to finish off the finale. The reliever got a groundout and a strikeout to start the inning, before an infield single from Vega kept the Ducks alive once more. This time the Blue Crabs were able to finish things off, as Stem forced Ramon Cabrera to groundout, shutting the door on the extra-inning win.

The Blue Crabs return to action Friday, June 15th for the home series opener against York Revolution. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 P.M. on Friday 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.

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Atlantic League Stories from June 14, 2018


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