Blue Crabs Walk-Off to Split Doubleheader with York
June 16, 2018 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs News Release
(Waldorf, MD.) - The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (18-27) split a doubleheader against the York Revolution (22-22), dropping a 2-0 first game before winning a thrilling 4-3 walk-off in extra innings in game two.
Game one started with dominance on the mound from both pitchers. Brandon Cumpton (3-3) struck out five of the first seven batters for York, allowing just one walk in the first two innings. The first hit in the ballgame came on a two-out single from Angelo Songco in the bottom of the second, but a fielder's choice immediately forced him out at second.
Cumpton took a no-hitter into the fourth inning, before a Melky Mesa single broke that up with one out in the inning. The right-hander bounced back to retire the next eight batters he faced through six innings. On the other side Joe Van Meter (2-1) was even better through six innings of work. The Revolution right-hander allowed just three baserunners in six shutout innings, with none going further than first base.
The top of the seventh inning saw some offense, as York grabbed the lead with two runs in the inning. Mesa started things off with a single, moving up to second on a sacrifice bunt from Jared Mitchell. Jose Cuevas followed with a single that snuck up the middle, scoring the pinch-runner Travis Witherspoon from second base for the first run of the game. Cuevas moved up to third on the throw home, setting him up to score on a sacrifice fly from Ryan Dent. Grant Sides (S,4) came on for the bottom of the seventh, working a flawless inning to shut the door on 2-0 win in the first half of the doubleheader.
Heading into game two, the Blue Crabs looked to split the day. Jay Gause struggled with his command in the first inning for York, walking back-to-back batters to start the second game. A double steal saw the Blue Crabs try to get Cory Vaughn in from third, but he was caught stealing on the play for the first out. Jon Griffin drew a walk, which was followed by a catcher's interference to load the bases with two outs. Gause forced a popup to finish the inning, escaping with the game still scoreless.
After a quiet second inning, the Revolution grabbed the lead with a run in the third. Alex White, in his debut for the team, struck out the first batter in the inning, with Dent doubling behind him. White picked up another strikeout, his fifth of the day, before a walk to Jared Mitchell extended the inning. A wild pitch allowed Dent to score, giving York an early lead.
The Blue Crabs responded with one in the bottom of the fourth, getting on the board for the first time in the day. Devon Rodriguez singled to start the one-out rally, with a walk and another catcher's interference loading the bases for the second time in the game. Francisco Rosario hit a groundball to first, allowing Rodriguez to come across to score and tie the game at 1-1 before Gause got out of the inning.
The game didn't stay tied long, as York put up a pair of runs in the top of the fifth. Tyler Clark started the offense in the inning with a solo homerun, his third long ball of the season. Two batters later Mesa drew a walk to reach base. Welington Dotel followed with a double to right-center field, scoring Mesa all the way from first to take a 3-1 lead.
The back-and-forth battle continued in the sixth, as the Blue Crabs tied the game back up in the inning. A pair of one-out walks put two runners aboard for the top of the order in Vaughn. Vaughn lined a single in to left field, scoring the catcher David Lyon from second. A single from Teodoro Martinez loaded the bases once again, with a groundout to first from Frank Martinez scoring Rosario.
Southern Maryland looked to walk things off in the seventh, as they loaded the bases again in the inning. Rob Carson (4-1) got out of the jam by forcing Rosario into a 4-6-3 inning-ending double play. A scoreless eighth inning followed, setting up another dramatic finish in the ninth.
Carson returned to the mound for his third inning of work in the bottom of the ninth, and immediately allowed a single to Songco. A sacrifice bunt moved Songco up to second, but an intentional walk set up the double play for the Revs once more. An infield single from Austin Green loaded the bases again for Rosario, giving him a second chance to be the hero. Rosario battled for the first eight pitches, before finally on the ninth pitch of the at-bat he lined a single towards shortstop. Dent leaped, but the ball just escaped his reach, getting through for a 4-3 win and the third walk-off of the season for Southern Maryland.
The Blue Crabs return to action Sunday, June 17th for the series finale against the Revolution. First pitch is scheduled for 2:05 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.
• Discuss this story on the Atlantic League message board...
Atlantic League Stories from June 16, 2018
- Blue Crabs Walk-Off to Split Doubleheader with York - Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
- Snider and Washington Blast Ducks Past Barnstormers - Long Island Ducks
- Bees Rally to Defeat Patriots 7-5 - Somerset Patriots
- Lancaster Outhits Long Island, 15-5, In Loss - Lancaster Stormers
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.
