AtL Southern Maryland Blue Crabs

Blue Crabs Have 'ESP'

Published on September 14, 2011 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs News Release


Waldorf, MD - Newly acquired second baseman David Espinosa went 3-5 and drove in four runs as Southern Maryland pulled away with a 9-3 win over the Long Island Ducks on Wednesday night at Regency Furniture Stadium in front of 3,893 fans. The victory pulled the Blue Crabs to within three games of the wild-card lead after Bridgeport's game at York was postponed due to rain.

Just like last night, the Ducks struck first in the first on an RBI single from shortstop Javier Colina. The Blue Crabs bounced back with two in the bottom-half on RBI triples from Espinosa and first baseman Casey Benjamin to take a 2-1 lead.

Long Island came right back in the second as an RBI double from third baseman Matt Padgett tied the game at two apiece. But as was the case all evening, Southern Maryland found a way to stay ahead as they got a two-run double from Espinosa in the second to give the Blue Crabs a 4-2 advantage.

The Ducks tried to creep back into the game as they got their final run in the third on an RBI single from Matt Esquivel. From that point on however, the Blue Crabs pitchers kept Long Island at bay by holding the Atlantic League's most potent offense to no runs on three hits over the game's final six innings.

Southern Maryland put the game away by scoring five runs from innings 5-7. The Blue Crabs got single runs in the fifth and sixth on a solo-homer by leftfielder Kody Kirkland (6), his third in as many nights, and another RBI double from Espinosa to stretch the lead to 6-3.

The bottom fell out for Long Island in the seventh as the Blue Crabs plated three runs on an RBI double from centerfielder Jeremy Owens, a sac-fly by catcher Christian Lopez, and a final RBI double by right fielder Adam Godwin to make the final margin 9-3. Southern Maryland picked up 16 hits for the game and had at least one in each inning with the exception of the eighth.

Godwin recorded the most hits by going 4-5 with a double, three singles, an RBI, two stolen bases and a run scored. Espinosa's three hits were all of the extra-base variety as he had two doubles and a triple on the night. The Blue Crabs also got two hits apiece from Benjamin and Kirkland. Benjamin went 2-5 with a triple, RBI and run scored, while Kirkland went 2-4 with his homer and two runs.

Long Island had only one batter with more than multiple hits as centerfielder Lew Ford went 2-4 with two singles.

The win went to Southern Maryland starter Joe Gannon (3-2) who survived the rough start and went seven innings while allowing three runs on seven hits. By making the start, Gannon became the Blue Crabs all-time starts leader for a pitcher with his 56th, surpassing the previous mark of 55 held by former pitcher Ryan Bicondoa. The win also gives Gannon his 24th in a Blue Crabs uniform tying him for the all-time record with Bicondoa.

The loss went to Ducks starter Josh Banks (1-1) as the Baltimore native allowed five runs on nine hits in five innings. He also walked one and struck out three.

The Blue Crabs take on the Ducks at Regency Furniture Stadium in the finale of their three-game series on Thursday at 7:05. It will be the final scheduled home game for the Blue Crabs. Southern Maryland will send right-hander Virgil Vasquez (7-6, 4.38 ERA) to the hill against righty Mike Loree (14-4, 2.02 ERA) for the Ducks. The game can be heard on www.somdbluecrabs.com.

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Atlantic League Stories from September 14, 2011


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