AtL Southern Maryland Blue Crabs

Road Warriors Take Series From Blue Crabs

Published on July 26, 2011 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs News Release


Waldorf, MD - The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs dropped the rubber match of their three-game series against the Road Warriors by a 9-8 score on Tuesday afternoon at Regency Furniture Stadium in front of 4,061 fans. The loss dropped the Blue Crabs to 3-3 on the home stand and 6-6 in the season series against the hapless Road Warriors who upped their record to 25-50 on the season.

For the ninth time in 12 meetings, the Road Warriors struck first as a double play ball by third baseman Melvin Dorta in the second gave the Road Warriors the lead.

Southern Maryland struck back in the second on an RBI double by right fielder Ben Harrison, which was followed by an RBI single by leftfielder Richard Giannotti to give the Blue Crabs the lead at 2-1.

The Road Warriors retook the lead in the third by scoring three runs, only one of which was earned. Second baseman Amadeo Zazueta singled in a run, which was followed by back-to-back sacrifice flies by shortstop Danny Gonzalez and first baseman Carlos Sosa to take a 4-2 lead.

Southern Maryland responded in the fifth inning by plating four runs with the benefit of only one hit. Road Warriors starter Luke Massetti saw his control go by the wayside as the hit two batters and walked another to load the bases with two out. That's when second baseman Bridger Hunt (1) belted a grand slam homer over the leftfield wall to give the Blue Crabs a 6-4 lead.

But the roof caved in in the seventh as the Road Warriors scored five runs off of starter Eddie Rodriguez and reliever Charlie Manning. A Rodriguez wild pitch scored designated hitter Daniel Jordan from third before an RBI triple by Amadeo Zaueta tied the game at six, which sent Rodriguez from the game and brought in Manning.

From there, Gonzalez and leftfielder Victor Gutierrez singled in runs while third baseman Melvin Dorta doubled in another to give the Road Warriors a 9-6 advantage.

In the eighth, Harrison (11) drew the Blue Crabs to within one on a two-run homer to make the score 9-8. But with runners at first and second with two out and pinch hitter Casey Benjamin at the plate, Giannotti was picked off of first to end the threat.

The Blue Crabs had one more chance in the ninth, but with the tying run at second and two out Hunt struck out looking to end the game and send Southern Maryland to 3-9 for the second half.

Harrison led the way for the Blue Crabs with a 2-4 effort. He homered doubled and drove in three runs for the game. The Road Warriors had six hitters with two hits.

Zazueta went 2-4 with a triple, two RBI and a run scored.

Massetti (7-7) got the win for the Road Warriors despite allowing six runs in 6.2 innings, while Rodriguez (3-4) took the loss for the Blue Crabs. He allowed five earned runs on 10 hits in 6.1 innings of work. Closer Adam Thomas pitched a scoreless ninth to notch his ninth save of the season.

Southern Maryland hits the road for a six-game road trip beginning on Wednesday for the first of a three-game series against the Camden Riversharks. First pitch is set for 7:05. The Blue Crabs will send righty Michael Schlact (5-1, 3.89 ERA) to the hill against a to-be-determined pitcher for the Riversharks. The game can be heard on www.somdbluecrabs.com.

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Atlantic League Stories from July 26, 2011


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