After the Blue Crabs lost 3-1 in game one of the series, they fell short again on Saturday night in a high-scoring affair. The Blue Crabs scored early, but Somerset's bats were ultimately too much for Southern Maryland.
In the top of the first inning, Rubi Silva hammered a deep fly ball to center field for a double. The next batter, Joe Benson, launched a two-run homer to deep center field, giving the Blue Crabs a 2-0 lead.
Somerset responded in the bottom of the first inning, when Brandon Cumpton (L, 2-6) struggled. With two outs, Mike Ohlman hit a three-run home run to left field, putting Patriots on top 3-2.
The Patriots led 5-3 going into the fourth inning. With one out, Edwin Garcia knocked a bloop single into left field before Josh McAdams ripped a triple into center, cutting the deficit to 5-4.
But Somerset answered again in the bottom of the fourth inning when John Hayes entered the game in relief of Brandon Cumpton. Hayes allowed the first two batters to reach base before Will Kengor lined a three-run home run over the wall in left field. The Patriots added another run to take a 9-4 lead.
Both bullpens settled down from there. Vince Molesky (W, 2-0) pitched three scoreless innings for the Patriots, allowing just one baserunner. But Southern Maryland’s bats came alive against Logan Darnell in the ninth inning. Kent Blackstone walked to lead off the inning before Edwin Garcia hit a two-run home run to cut the deficit to 9-6. The Blue Crabs added a pair of singles before Tony Thomas roped a base hit into left, scoring Josh McAdams.
But Mike Antonini (S, 19) came in relief of Darnell and closed the doors on the Southern Maryland rally. Antonini retired Rubi Silva on a fielder’s choice before getting Joe Benson to bounce into a double play, giving the Patriots a 9-7 win.
The Blue Crabs will return home on June 21th for the first game of six-game homestand that will begin against the High Point Rockers with a 6:35 p.m. first pitch.
Be sure to vote your Blue Crabs to the 2019 Atlantic League All-Star Game, just click: www.atlanticleague.com/allstarvoting
About the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
The Blue Crabs play 140 regular season games in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball Clubs. The Blue Crabs, in their 12th season of baseball, call Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, Maryland home. For more information on the Blue Crabs, please call 301-638-9788 or visit http://www.somdbluecrabs.com for more information.
About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
With eight teams in the Mid-Atlantic and Texas, the ALPB is a leader in baseball innovation and a player gateway to Major League Baseball. Through its exclusive partnership with MLB, the Atlantic League tests Major League Baseball rules and equipment initiatives. The Atlantic League has sent over 900 players to MLB organizations while drawing more than 40 million fans to its affordable, family-friendly ballparks throughout its 22-year history.
For more information, please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.
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