(Central Islip, NY., Jun. 13, 2018) - The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (15-26) dropped the second game against the Long Island Ducks (24-18) 7-6, on a walk-off single from Travis Snider.
The Blue Crabs got the night started early, taking the lead in the top of the first. Ryan Strausborger singled to lead off the game, moving up to second on a single from Teodoro Martinez. Angelo Songco added another single in the inning, scoring Strausborger for the opening run of the game.
The Ducks offense bounced right back, tying the game in the bottom of the inning. Jordany Valdespin walked to get things going, moving to second on an Emilio Bonifacio single. Snider picked up another single, loading the bases with nobody out in the inning. Paul Clemens forced a groundball from Lew Ford, turning a double play but trading the run for the two outs. Clemens then picked up a strikeout to end the inning, stranding the go-ahead run at third.
Long Island threatened again in the second, getting two runners on via a walk and a hit-by-pitch. Clemens recovered by getting back-to-back pop outs to finish the inning and strand the pair of runners. A scoreless third ensued, before the Blue Crabs retook the lead on a homerun from Jon Griffin to lead off the fourth inning. The solo shot was Griffin’s second homerun of the year in just his fifth game with the team.
Clemens was taken out of the game out five innings, handing the 2-1 lead over to the bullpen. The Ducks jumped on opportunity, putting up three runs in the bottom of the sixth. A walk and another hit-by-pitch started the frame, before a single from David Washington scored Snider to tie the game. After a strikeout and a fielder’s choice, Alec Sole came through for Long Island with a two-out, two-RBI triple to give them their first lead on the night.
The 4-2 advantage didn’t last long for the Ducks, as their starter Jake Fisher allowed two more in the seventh. A strikeout started the inning, before a single from Angelys Nina put a man on for the top of the order. Strausborger followed with a two-run blast to left field, tying the game up at 4-4.
The back and forth battle continued in the eighth, when the Ducks took the lead back on a two-run homerun from Taylor Ard. Francisco Rodriguez (2-0) came on to close things in the top of the ninth, but the Blue Crabs once again rallied to tie things. A pair of walks to Austin Green and Strausborger put two on with one out for Edwin Garcia. Garcia came up with a double to left-center field, scoring both runners to even the game at 6-6.
The Ducks came up in the bottom of the ninth, looking to talk things off and take the first two in the series. After a strikeout started the inning, back-to-back walks put Valdespin and Bonifacio aboard for Snider once more. After battling for six pitches, Snider pushed a single up the middle on the seventh, scoring Valdespin from second to finish the 7-6 walk-off win for Long Island.
The Blue Crabs return to action Thursday, June 13th for the second game against Ducks. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 P.M. on Thursday at Bethpage Ballpark.
For more information on the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, or to reserve your seat today for any of the Blue Crabs upcoming home games, please visit our website at somdbluecrabs.com or call us at 301-638-9788.
About the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
The Blue Crabs play 126 regular season games in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball Clubs. The Blue Crabs play at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, Maryland with affordable family fun. The franchise will begin its 11th season in April 2018. Please call 301-638-9788 or visit http://www.somdbluecrabs.com for more information.
About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
The Atlantic League has been a leader in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball since 1998. Over 38 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 900 players and 50 managers and coaches have joined MLB organizations directly from the ALPB. The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment.
For more information, please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.