Squandered Chances
Published on August 31, 2011 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs News Release
Waldorf, MD - The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs left nine men on base, including eight in scoring position, as they lost the first game of a crucial three-game series
to the Bridgeport Bluefish 4-2 on Wednesday night at Regency Furniture Stadium in front of 2,654 fans.
The game started with four hits from each team through two innings, but neither team could scratch a run across as they combined to leave seven men on base. In
fact, the Blue Crabs left six men on base through the first four frames; all of them in scoring position.
Southern Maryland finally broke the deadlock with a RBI double from first baseman Casey Benjamin to give the Blue Crabs a 1-0 lead. However, second baseman
Angel Chavez of the Bluefish tied things up with a solo homer in the fifth. It was the first earned run that Southern Maryland starter Nick Green had allowed in 27
innings.
The score stayed tied until the seventh when designated hitter Brock Peterson (9) went deep over the leftfield wall to give the Bluefish a 2-1 lead. Bridgeport would
add an insurance run in the eighth on a RBI fielder's choice from first baseman Wes Bankston to extend the lead to 3-1.
Bridgeport went deep one more time in the ninth inning as catcher Michael Moras hit another solo homer to give the Bluefish a three-run lead. The bottom
third of the Bluefish order (Peterson, Moras, and Chavez) went a combined 5-12 with three homers and three RBI.
The Blue Crabs tried to rally in the ninth as they got an RBI double from shortstop Tanner Townsend to make it 4-2. The Blue Crabs then got Townsend to third with
two out, but pinch hitter Kody Kirkland stuck out against Bridgeport closer Juan Rincon to end the game.
Bridgeport received 2-4 performances from Peterson and Moras who each homered and singled in the game. The Bluefish also got two singles each from leftfielder Steve Moss and third baseman Luis Lopez.
Despite only two runs, the Blue Crabs did register 12 hits for the evening. They got two hits each from Benjamin, Townsend, leftfielder Ben Harrison, and designated
hitter Brian Barton. Townsend had two doubles and an RBI while Benjamin doubled and drove in a run as well.
Getting the win for Bridgeport was their starter Esteban Yan (2-3) who won his second game in as many starts against the Blue Crabs. Yan went six frames and
allowed one run on eight hits and struck out six. The loss went to Green (9-6) who allowed two runs on seven hits in seven innings of work. He also struck out seven
and walked one. The walk, which came against Moss in the fourth inning, was the first free pass allowed by Green in 18.1 innings.
The save by Rincon was his 22nd of the season.
The Blue Crabs and Bluefish will square off in a day-night doubleheader to wrap-up their three-game series. Both games will be nine innings long. Game one will feature right-hander Virgil Vasquez (7-6, 4.49 ERA) for the Blue Crabs against fellow righty Matt Pike of the Bluefish (8-6, 3.72 ERA) at 1:05. Game two will be at 7:05 and see righty Joe Gannon of Southern Maryland (1-2, 7.18 ERA) go against right-handed pitcher Julio Manon (0-3, 4.91 ERA) of Bridgeport. Both games can be heard on www.somdbluecrabs.com.
Atlantic League Stories from August 31, 2011
- Barnstormers win on "D" - Lancaster Stormers
- Crabs Make a 'Pitch' for Playoffs - Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
- Squandered Chances - Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
- Camden Drops Sixth Straight - Camden Riversharks
- Road Warriors One Hit Patriots in 1-0 Win - Somerset Patriots
- Terry Tiffee returns - Lancaster Stormers
- Patriots Start Home Stand Wednesday and Host Hurricane Relief Night - Somerset Patriots
- Clipper Magazine Stadium to Host 9-11 Tribute - Lancaster Stormers
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