Blue Crabs Hold on in Game Two
May 26, 2018 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs News Release
(Waldorf, MD.) - The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (10-17) won the second game against the Lancaster Barnstormers (18-8) 3-2, holding on to their early lead on the rain-soaked night.
A scoreless first inning took the game into the second, where the Blue Crabs would grab an early lead. A walk to Devon Rodriguez got a runner on with one out in the inning. Cory Vaughn followed with a single, moving Rodriguez up into scoring position. Frank Martinez added a third straight single, bringing Rodriguez around from second who slid safely under the tag to grab the 1-0 lead.
The Barnstormers responded by evening the game with a run in the top of the third. A single and walk started the inning, but the lead runner was caught on a pickoff from the catcher for out number one. Tyler Bortnick advanced to second on the rundown, and then stole third to get closer to tying the game. Joey Wagman slipped and fell on a pitch to the plate, as the ball rolled towards the Barnstormers dugout, Bortnick came home from third to tie the game. Wagman was removed from the game after the injury on the mound. David Wayne Russo (1-0) came on in relief and finished off the inning, stranding a runner in scoring position.
Southern Maryland immediately responded by taking the lead back over in the bottom half of the inning. Edwin Garcia and Teodoro Martinez both singled to start the inning, getting a runner in scoring position with nobody out in the inning. Angelo Songco picked up a single as well, scoring Garcia to put the team back on top in the ballgame.
Russo continued strong on the mound, working 2.1 scoreless innings in relief. The offense added an insurance run in the fifth, as a familiar trio combined once again. Garcia and Martinez got things going with back-to-back singles again, bringing up Songco with a man in scoring position. Songco, who entered the game without an RBI on the season, came through with a single again to score Garcia, and take a 3-1 lead.
The bullpen continued on strong, maintaining the two-run lead into the eighth. The Barnstormers began to rally back in the eighth inning, as Rico Noel began the frame with a single. Two straight fielder's choices brought the Blue Crabs within an out of working around the leadoff hit, before a single from Ryan Casteel extended the inning. Grant Desme, in his season debut, picked up his third hit of the night to score Trayvon Robinson and bring the lead down to just one run. A flyout ended the inning, with Southern Maryland escaping still ahead 3-2.
Cody Eppley (S,2) came on for the top of the ninth, working back-to-back nights after coming off the disabled list on Friday. Anderson De La Rosa started the inning with his fourth single of the game, putting the tying run on base for Lancaster. A groundout to third allowed De La Rosa to advance, before a wild pitch moved him up to third. A walk to Darian Sandford ensued, setting up a potential game-ending double play from Noel. The speedy Noel swung at the first pitch he saw, sending a groundball up the middle that was fielded by Garcia, who tagged second and fired to first in time to finish off the game. The win ensured at least a series win for the Blue Crabs, and sets up a potential series sweep tomorrow.
The Blue Crabs return to action Sunday, May 26th as they finish the series against the division-leading Barnstormers. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 P.M. on Sunday 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 May 26, 2018
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- Barnstormers Drop 3-2 Decision at Southern Maryland - Lancaster Stormers
- Ducks Welcome Past-Capacity Crowd on Memorial Day Weekend - Long Island Ducks
- Blue Crabs Hold on in Game Two - Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
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