The Frustration Continues
Published on July 18, 2011 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs News Release
Central Islip, NY - An error and several missed opportunities to expand on a 2-0 lead did Southern Maryland in as they lost to the Long Island Ducks 3-2 in a rain- shortened seven-inning game on Monday night at Bethpage Ballpark in Central Islip, NY.
Like yesterday, Southern Maryland took an early lead by putting a run on the board in the first inning on an RBI double by third baseman Kody Kirkland. In the fourth, right fielder Ben Harrison came through with an RBI double to give the Blue Crabs a 2-0 lead.
For the second-straight day Southern Maryland saw the opposing starting pitcher leave early in the game as Long Island starter Heath Phillips left after the first inning due to a strained forearm. But the Blue Crabs could not take advantage of several opportunities to take control of the game off of Ducks reliever Joselo Diaz.
In fact, Southern Maryland left seven men on base in innings 4-6, and 10 for the game.
Meanwhile, the Blue Crabs saw their lead evaporate in the fifth. With the bases loaded and two out, Long Island shortstop Javier Colina hit a routine grounder to Kirkland, which went between the third baseman's legs and allowed for the tying runs to score. The next hitter, designated hitter John Rodriguez, laced a single to left, which scored the eventual game-winning run to give the Ducks the 3-2 win.
The game was called with two out and no one on base in the bottom of the seventh as a hard rain forced the postponement of the rest of the contest.
Long Island got two hits apiece from centerfielder Kennard Jones and Rodriguez, while the Blue Crabs received a 3-4 effort from Harrison who had two doubles and an RBI. Kirkland went 2-4 with a double, RBI, stolen base and run scored, while leftfielder Richard Giannotti chipped in with a 2-3 effort with a run scored.
The win went to Diaz (3-5) who wound up tossing 4.2 innings of relief, while allowing one run on seven hits. He also walked two and struck out four. The loss fell to Blue Crabs starter Nick Green (5-4) who allowed three unearned runs on six hits in five innings of work.
Southern Maryland takes on Long Island in game two of a three-game series tomorrow at 7:05. The Blue Crabs will send righty Virgil Vasquez (4-5, 4.75 ERA) to the hill against fellow righty Ruddy Lugo (3-1, 5.65 ERA) of the Ducks. The game can be heard on www.somdbluecrabs.com.
Atlantic League Stories from July 18, 2011
- Grimes' Walk-Off Single Helps York Remain Unbeaten In Second Half - York Revolution
- The Frustration Continues - Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
- Peeples Fires Gem, Blanks Somerset - Lancaster Stormers
- Ducks Storm Back For Win - Long Island Ducks
- Sharks Take Bite out of 'Fish - Bridgeport Bluefish
- Riversharks Use Long-Ball to Drown Bluefish - Camden Riversharks
- Barnstormers Shut out Patriots 3-0 - Somerset Patriots
- Nats Racing Presidents Returning to York - York Revolution
- Ducks Are in -- Are You" - Long Island Ducks
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