Break Even
Published on August 7, 2011 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs News Release
Bridgeport, CT - The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs wound up splitting a doubleheader with the Bridgeport Bluefish on Sunday afternoon at Harbor Yard. The Blue Crabs won the completion of Saturday's rain-suspended game in game one 7-6, before dropping the nightcap 4-1.
The first game was resumed after rain on Saturday night forced the game's suspension with two outs in the bottom of the fifth and the bases loaded for Bridgeport.
Southern Maryland reliever Eduardo Morlan promptly walked the first man he faced, centerfielder Prentice Redman, which forced in a run and gave the Bluefish a 6-5 lead.
However, Morlan and the bullpen were lights out after that as four Blue Crabs' relievers went 4.1 innings and allowed no runs on two hits along with a walk.
Southern Maryland would take the lead for good in the seventh as leftfielder Casey Benjamin (9) belted a two-run homer to give the Blue Crabs the lead at 7-6.
Bridgeport tried to come back in the ninth and had runners at the corners with two outs. However, closer Jim Ed Warden got designated hitter Brod Peterson to strike out to end the game, which lasted a season-high three hours and 30 minutes.
Third baseman Travis Garcia and second baseman centerfielder Jeremy Owens each had a homer and double, along with two RBI in the game. Second baseman Brandon Pinckney chipped in with a 2-5 effort with a double and run scored for Southern Maryland. Bridgeport, meanwhile, got three hits, including a double, from first baseman Wes Bankston along with an RBI and two runs scored. Third baseman Luis Lopez, right fielder Danny Putnam, and Peterson each had two hits as well for the Bluefish with Lopez and Peterson each driving in a run.
The win went to Morlan who tossed 1.1 (1-0) innings of scoreless relief, while the loss fell to Bridgeport reliever Antonio Alfonseca (2-3). Warden's save was his league-high 21st of the season.
In game two, Bridgeport pitchers held Southern Maryland to one run on seven hits in a 4-1 victory. The Bluefish used the long ball as a solo homer by Bankston (19) in the second, along with a two-run homer by leftfielder Steve Moss (9) in the third gave Bridgeport a 3-0 lead. It was the sixth-straight game that the Blue Crabs have allowed the opponent to score the game's first run. It was also the third-straight game in which the Blue Crabs fell behind 3-0.
Southern Maryland's lone run came in the sixth as designated hitter Brian Barton (6) led off the inning with a solo homer to cut the deficit to two. Later in the frame, the Blue Crabs put runners at first and second with one out, but Bluefish starter Raymar Diaz got centerfielder Jeremy Owens to fly out and shortstop Tanner Townsend to strike out the end the threat.
Bridgeport got an unearned insurance run in the eighth on a sac-fly by Lopez to make the final 4-1.
Southern Maryland got two hits from from Barton, first baseman Ben Harrison, and leftfielder Kody Kirkland. Barton and Kirkland each had one double. Bridgeport only had five hits in the game, two of which came from Moss who went 2-5 with a homer, two RBI, stolen base and two runs scored.
Diaz (5-0) got the win for Bridgeport after scattering six hits and one run in six innings of work. He also walked one and struck out three. The loss went to Southern Maryland starter Michael Schlact (5-3) who allowed three runs on five hits in seven innings pitched. He also walked three and struck out three others. Bluefish closer Juan Rincon (17) pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning for the save.
The Blue Crabs and Bluefish will finish their three-game series tomorrow at 11:05 in the rubber game. Southern Maryland will send righty Nick Green (6-5, 4.44 ERA) to the bump against fellow right-hander Wardell Starling (1-0, 1.72 ERA) for the Bluefish. The game can be heard on www.somdbluecrabs.com.
Atlantic League Stories from August 7, 2011
- Revs Dealt Pair Of Setbacks By Patriots In Sunday's Twinbill - York Revolution
- Patriots Sweep Twinbill Over York Behind Stellar Pitching - Somerset Patriots
- Barnstormers Unravel In Second, Fall To Ducks - Lancaster Stormers
- J-Rod Jolts Ducks Past Lancaster - Long Island Ducks
- Break Even - Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
- Bluefish Split Against Blue Crabs - Bridgeport Bluefish
- 'Sharks Drop Third In a Row - Camden Riversharks
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