Blue Crabs Fall to Bluefish
Published on May 29, 2009 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs News Release
The Blue Crabs returned home to the friendly confines of Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, Maryland fresh off a 5-2 road trip, including a three-game sweep of Liberty Division rival Long Island. Awaiting the Crabs were the Bridgeport Bluefish, who were swept in a four-game series by Southern Maryland last week. In a tightly contested pitching duel, the Bluefish came away with the hard fought 3-0 victory, ending the Blue Crabs four-game winning streak.
Southern Maryland will look to bounce back tomorrow night in the second game of their three-game series with Bridgeport. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Scheduled starters are right-hander Gary Knotts (0-2, 4.24) for Bridgeport and righty Kenny Rayborn (3-0, 1.47) for Southern Maryland.
As for Friday's game...
After a 51-minute rain-delay, Southern Maryland sent reliever Edward Rodriguez to the mound to begin the game in place of scheduled starter Joe Gannon, as Gannon was held up traveling back to the ballpark from his home in Buffalo, NY, where he was tending to family business. Rodriguez filled in admirably, tossing two innings of scoreless, two hit baseball.
Gannon replaced Rodriguez to begin the third inning. Despite initially struggling to command his knuckleball, Gannon eventually recovered after allowing a run, holding the Bluefish scoreless for the next four innings. However, in the top of the eighth, Gannon's control waivered, allowing two runs and three walks. Bridgeport's two runs in the eighth inning were driven in by catcher Luis Rodriguez and right fielder Tyrone Pendergrass.
Offensively, the Blue Crabs struggled to come up with timely hits after scoring 20 runs in their three-game series against Long Island. Much of the Blue Crabs offensive struggles were attributed to Bluefish starter Esteban Yan, who for the second time in two weeks held the Atlantic League's leading offense in check. Yan, who did not allow a run, scattered eight hits over nine innings and struck out five. With his complete game shut-out victory, Yan improved his record to 3-1.
Despite the loss, Blue Crabs leftfielder James Shanks extended his current team-high hitting streak to eight games with a single in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Atlantic League Stories from May 29, 2009
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- Ducks Welcome Four Millionth Fan - Long Island Ducks
- LaMura Shines As He Retires 13 Straight in Ducks' Win - Long Island Ducks
- Blue Crabs Fall to Bluefish - Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
- Make it Seven - Lancaster Stormers
- Bears Beat Patriots 3-2 In Pitchers' Duel - Somerset Patriots
- River Sharks Defeated By Barnstormers - Camden Riversharks
- Newark Bears Defeated the Somerset Patriots 3-2 - Newark Bears
- Cochran Signed by Reds - Lancaster Stormers
- Friday Flash: Barnstormers Home June 4-7 - Lancaster Stormers
- Patriots To Honor Teachers Of The Year - Somerset Patriots
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