AtL Southern Maryland Blue Crabs

So Close, Yet So Far

Published on July 19, 2011 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs News Release


Central Islip, NY - The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs dropped their fifth straight game, their longest losing streak of the season, with a 9-7 defeat at the hands of the Long Island Ducks at Bethpage Ballpark on Tuesday evening.

To add insult to injury the Blue Crabs had a huge lead in the game as they jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the third. The inning started with a solo homer from third baseman Jeremy Owens (7). For Owens it was only his ninth career game at third base and his first this season as injuries forced the Southern Maryland player/coach to play the infield.

The Blue Crabs added to their lead thanks to a two-run single from centerfielder Adam Godwin, a throwing error from Long Island starting pitcher Ruddy Lugo, and an RBI single from catcher Christian Lopez to take a 5-0 lead.

But the lead was short lived as the Ducks stormed back in the bottom of the third with four runs off of Blue Crabs starter Virgil Vasquez. Centerfielder Kennard Jones doubled in a run to start the scoring, which was followed by a three-run homer from second baseman Ray Navarrete (13) to cut the Southern Maryland lead to one.

The Ducks tied the game in the fourth on another RBI double from Jones as Long Island chased Vasquez from the game after only 4.2 innings.

Southern Maryland showed some resilience as right fielder Brian Barton hit his fourth homer of the year, a solo shot to straightaway centerfield, to give the Blue Crabs a 6-5 advantage.

But, again, the Ducks came back. In the sixth, shortstop Javier Colina blasted a two-run bomb off of Blue Crabs reliever Jason Waddell to give Long Island their first lead of the game at 7-6. The Ducks tacked on insurance runs in the seventh and eighth innings on an RBI single from Kraig Binick, and another homer by Navarrete (14) to take a 9-6 lead. Navarrete finished the game 3-3 with two homers, four RBI and three runs scored.

The Blue Crabs tried to rally in the ninth as a sac fly by leftfielder Richard Giannotti pulled Southern Maryland to within 9-7. Then, with two men on and two out, pinch hitter Casey Benjamin stepped to the plate and launched a deep fly ball to right field that appeared to be heading out of the park. But Binick made the catch at the base of the wall as Benjamin missed by mere feet from giving the Blue Crabs the lead.

The Ducks had 15 hits on the night. In addition to Navarrete's big night, Long Island got a 3-4 effort from Binick who tripled, scored two run and drove in another.

Binick also made a sensational catch off the bat of Godwin in the seventh that prevented the Blue Crabs from tying the game. Meanwhile, Jones went 2-4 with two doubles and two RBI, while Colina and centerfielder Lew Ford each had two hits.

The Blue Crabs got a 3-4 effort from Godwin who made his return to the lineup after a thumb injury forced him to miss three weeks of action. He went 3-5 with three singles, two RBI and a run scored. Barton, Lopez, and first baseman J.R. Hopf each had two hits to aid the Southern Maryland cause.

The win went to Long Island starter Ruddy Lugo (4-1) who overcame the five-run third to pitch six innings while allowing the seven hits. Take away the third inning, Lugo allowed only one run on three hits in the other five frames. The loss befell Waddell (3-5) who allowed three runs in 1.2 innings. The runs were the first that Waddell had given up in 11 innings and six appearances.

Southern Maryland finishes their three-game series and road trip with Long Island on Wednesday at 7:05. The Blue Crabs will send righty Eddie Rodriguez (3-2, 2.96 ERA) to the hill against fellow righty Mike Loree (11-1, 1.84 ERA) of the Ducks. 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 July 19, 2011


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