Five-Run Rally in Eighth Gives Blue Crabs Win
Published on July 5, 2011 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs News Release
Waldorf, MD - Despite using a makeshift lineup, the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs erupted for five runs in the eighth inning as they defeated the Bridgeport Bluefish 11-9 on Tuesday night at Regency Furniture Stadium in front of an attendance of 1,804.
Decimated by injuries and trying to rest players after being eliminated from first-half playoff contention yesterday, the Blue Crabs' started the game with no designated hitter leaving their pitchers to bat in the ninth spot of the order.
Bridgeport started the scoring on an RBI double from first baseman Wes Bankston to take a 1-0 lead in the first. Southern Maryland bounced back in the second as a solo homer from right fielder Ben Harrison (10) and a three-run blast from shortstop Tanner Townsend (4) gave the Blue Crabs a 3-1 lead.
The Bluefish would retake the lead by scoring four runs in the third. The big blow was a three-run homer from Bankston (11) to give Bridgeport a 4-3 advantage. Two batters later, designated hitter Brock Peterson doubled in a run to make the score 5-3.
Bridgeport added two more runs in the fifth on a solo homer from third baseman Luis Lopez (7), which preceded a fielding error by Blue Crabs third baseman Brandon Pinckney that allowed another run to score and make the score 7-3 Bluefish.
Southern Maryland came back with two runs in the bottom of the fifth on another two-run blast by Townsend (5) before a sixth inning two- run double by Bankston gave Bridgeport a 9-5 lead. The Blue Crabs picked up a run in the seventh on an RBI single from leftfielder Brian Barton to pull Southern Maryland to within three.
With two out, nobody on, and the count 1-2 to catcher Christian Lopez, it appeared that Bridgeport reliever Julio Manon was destined for a 1-2-3 inning. But Manon hit Lopez with a pitch, which started the ball rolling for the Blue Crabs. Townsend doubled Lopez to third, which set the stage for a bloop two-run single by pinch hitter Kody Kirkland to make the score 9-8.
A Pinckney single down the right field line sent Kirkland to third and set the stage for second baseman Casey Benjamin. With the count 3-2,
Benjamin yanked the pitch from Manon down the right field line. The ball just barely cleared the fence and stayed inside the foul pole as Southern Maryland took an 11-9 lead. The homerun was Benjamin's sixth of the season, and his fourth in his last three games.
Closer Jim Ed Warden pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning to close down the win. The save was his 16th of the season in 17 opportunities. Townsend led the way for the Blue Crabs with a 3-4 effort with two homer, a double, four RBI and three runs scored. Benjamin's homer left him 2-4 on the night with a single and three RBI. Playing on essentially one leg due to a pulled hamstring, centerfielder Richard Giannotti went 2-4 with a double in his first game back from injury.
Bridgeport got a great game from Bankston who finished 4-5 with a homer, three doubles, six RBI and three runs scored. Centerfielder Adam Greenberg went 3-4 with two runs scored, while Peterson and Lopez each had two hits to aid the Bluefish cause. Lopez scored three runs as well.
The win went to Southern Maryland reliever Steve Palazzolo (6-1) who pitched 0.1 of an inning to finish the eighth. Manon (0-1) took the loss for Bridgeport.
The Blue Crabs will finish their home stand and the series with the Bluefish on Wednesday at 11:05 in a Camp Day special. The Blue Crabs will send righty Eddie Rodriguez (2-1, 2.04 ERA) to the hill against fellow righty Pat Ryan (3-4, 5.35 ERA) for the Bluefish. The game can be heard on www.somdbluecrabs.com.
Atlantic League Stories from July 5, 2011
- Barnstormers Fall, 4-1, Drop to Second - Lancaster Stormers
- Revs Use Strong Pitching To Defeat Ducks, Take First - York Revolution
- Five-Run Rally in Eighth Gives Blue Crabs Win - Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
- Riversharks Snap Losing Skid - Camden Riversharks
- Gordon Almost No-Hits Warriors in Patriots' Shutout Win - Somerset Patriots
- Giannotti Back on Board - Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
- Yan Returns to Park City - Bridgeport Bluefish
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.
