AtL Southern Maryland Blue Crabs

Crabs Leave 12 More; Lose in 10

Published on August 3, 2011 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs News Release


Waldorf, MD-The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs returned three big offensive pieces to their lineup on Wednesday night and still came up short; this time in 10 innings to the Camden Riversharks by the score of 5-4 in front of 2,384 fans.

With third baseman Travis Garcia returning from Mexico, and second baseman Brandon Pinckney and first baseman Casey Benjamin returning from injury, the lineup looked like the Blue Crabs of old. But, as has been the case in many games during the second-half, Southern Maryland surrendered the first runs of the game as a three-run homer by Riversharks designated hitter Alvin Colina (5) gave Camden a 3-0 lead following back-to-back walks from Southern Maryland starter Nick Green.

The Blue Crabs, oddly enough, stayed in the game thanks to the performance of someone who has been with the team throughout its second-half struggles as shortstop Tanner Townsend (7) blasted a three-run homer of his own in the fourth to tie the game at three apiece.

With two outs and nobody aboard in the top of the fifth, it appeared that Green was going to cruise to an easy inning. But the right-hander would surrender three- straight singles to Camden, the last one driving in a run from the bat of leftfielder Noah Hall to regain the lead for the Riversharks at 4-3.

Townsend, again, tried to play hero as he blasted a solo-homer in the sixth to tie the game again at four. The long ball was his eighth of the season as he finished the night 2-5 with two homers and all four of Southern Maryland's RBI.

From there the bullpen's locked horns matching each other zero for zero into the 10th. The Blue Crabs had a couple of chances to take the lead. With runners at first and second with two out in the seventh, pinch-hitter Joe Jianetti laced a hard ground-ball up the middle that was knocked down on a diving stop from Camden shortstop Danny Richar who got up and threw out Jiannetti at first to end the inning. In the eighth, Southern Maryland had runners at first and second, again with two-out, before Riversharks reliever John Bale struck out Pinckney to get out of the jam.

Camden themselves had a couple of opportunities. With runners at second and third and one out in the eighth, Blue Crabs reliever Charlie Manning got a strikeout from Richar and a bouncer to the mound from first baseman Brian Burgamy to retire the side. In the ninth, Camden loaded the bases with one out before closer Jim Ed Warden struck out right fielder Lloyd Turner and got a ground out to first from Hall to end the inning.

The Riversharks finally broke the tie in the 10th inning as Richar (9) hit a line-drive over the right field wall to give Camden a 5-4 lead. Ironically, it was only the second homer that Warden has given up on the season; both, however, have come against the Riversharks.

Southern Maryland, once again, threatened in the 10th by putting runners a first and second with two out. But Camden reliever Jay Marshall got centerfielder Adam Godwin to ground out to second to end the game. The Blue Crabs left 12 more men on base; they have left 24 men on over their last two games.

In addition to Townsend, Southern Maryland got two doubles from designated hitter Brian Barton and two singles from Godwin. Camden was led by Colina who went 2-4 with a homer and three RBI. Camden also got two hits apiece from Turner and centerfielder Jonel Pacheco who also scored a run.

Getting the win in relief for Camden was Mumba Rivera (1-2) as he pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning. The loss fell to Warden (1-3) who allowed the homer to Richar in 1.2 innings. The save by Marshall was his second of the season.

Southern Maryland will square off with Camden in game two of their three-game series on Thursday with first-pitch slated for 7:05. The Blue Crabs will send righty Virgil Vasquez (6-5, 5.31 ERA) to the hill against southpaw J.R. Mathes (2-4, 6.08 ERA) for the Riversharks. The game can be heard on www.somdbluecrabs.com.

Check out the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs Statistics

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Atlantic League Stories from August 3, 2011


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