AtL Southern Maryland Blue Crabs

Well, There's Always Tomorrow

Published on July 20, 2011 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs News Release


Central Islip, NY - The Long Island Ducks finished off a three-game sweep of the Blue Crabs with an 18-8 win on Wednesday night at Bethpage Ballpark. The loss was Southern Maryland's sixth in a row.

Long Island got things rolling with a four-run first inning as a two-run double by third baseman Javier Colina, and RBI double by centerfielder Lew Ford, and a RBI single by right fielder Matt Esquivel gave the Ducks a 4-0 lead. They added three more in the fourth as an RBI double by Esquivel and a two-run blast by catcher J. R. House (13) to increase the score to 7-0.

The Ducks put the game away in the fifth as they exploded for eight runs. Oddly enough the uprising started with one out and no one on before nine of the next 10 hitters reached base. The Ducks pelted two three-run homers in the inning, one by Esquivel (10) and another by second baseman Ray Navarrete (15). For Navarrete, it was his third homer of the series along with seven RBI despite only hitting .222 entering the three-game set. The other runs came on an RBI double from shortstop

Dan Lyons and an RBI single from Ford. The eight runs were the most that the Blue Crabs have given up in a inning this season.

With the score 15-0, the Ducks added three more runs in the seventh on a RBI double from leftfielder Kennard Jones and a two-run homer by John Rodriguez (9) to give Long Island their biggest lead of the night at 18-0. The 18 runs were the most that Southern Maryland has given up in a game this season.

Southern Maryland showed heart by plating eight runs over the last two innings to make the score a little more respectable. They got five in the eighth on a two-run homer by third baseman Jeremy Owens (8), an RBI double from centerfielder Adam Godwin, an RBI fielder's choice by catcher Christian Lopez, and a passed ball that allowed Lopez to score from third and make the score 18-5.

The Blue Crabs got three more in the ninth as Owens (9) went deep for the second time of the night, this one a three-run blast, to make the final score 18-8. It was Owens third homer in two games along with six RBI.

Long Island picked up 18 hits, giving them 33 base knocks over the last two games. They were led by Esquivel who went 3-5 with a single, double, homer, run, and six RBI. Ford went 3-5 with a double, two RBI and three runs scored, while Jones also went 3-5 with a double, two runs, and an RBI. Navarrete, Colina, Rodriguez, and House each had two hits for the Ducks as well with seven runs driven in amongst the quartet.

Southern Maryland got a strong performance from Owens who finished 2-3 with two homers and five RBI. Owens now has 18 homers in his career against Long Island. Lopez went 3-5 with an RBI and two runs, while leftfielder Brian Barton, shortstop Tanner Townsend, and second baseman Bridger Hunt each had two hits for the Blue Crabs as well.

Long Island starter Mike Loree (12-1) got the win as he tossed five shutout innings and allowed three hits. His 12 wins are a league lead. The loss went to Blue Crabs starter Eddie Rodriguez (3-3) who allowed 10 runs on 12 hits in 4.1 innings. Over his last two starts, Rodriguez is 0-2 with a 17.28 ERA having allowed 16 earned runs in 8.1 innings.

Southern Maryland heads home to start a three-game series with the Somerset Patriots on Thursday at 7:05. It will be game one of a six-game home stand. The Blue Crabs will send righty Brian Slocum (3-3, 5.15 ERA) to the hill against fellow righty Ben Oxspring (0-4, 6.96 ERA) of the Ducks. The game can be heard on www.somdbluecrabs.com.

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Atlantic League Stories from July 20, 2011


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