Fifth Inning Rally Leads Blue Crabs to 4-3 Victory
Waldorf, MD – The Blue Crabs came into game two of a three game series with the High Point Rockers looking for their fourth series win in five tries. Michael Kelly (W, 3-3) took got the job done as tossed a quality start and the Blue Crabs runs exploded in the fifth inning, leading to a 4-3 victory.
In the top of the second inning, High Point jumped on the board first. With one out, Viosergy Rosa lined a single into right field before Matt Jones hammered a double into left-center. With two outs, Kalian Sams singled on a ground ball into left field, scoring Rosa and Jones, giving the Rockers a 2-0 lead.
In the top of the third inning, High Point had runners on second and third base with two outs. Michael Kelly threw a wild pitch, scoring a run, and giving the Rockers a 3-0 lead. He settled down from there, not allowing another run in six and two-thirds innings of work.
Dominic DeMasi (L, 1-1), the starting pitcher for the Rockers, was outstanding for the first four innings, allowing no runs and only one hit.
But in the fifth inning, the Blue Crabs’ offense exploded. After a pair of base hits and a walk, Southern Maryland had the bases juiced with one out. Edwin Garcia grounded into a fielder’s choice, scoring one run and advancing the runners to second and third base. The next batter, Kent Blackstone, lined a single into right field, scoring two and tying the tally at 3-3. After Blackstone stole second base, Rubi Silva drove a single into left field, giving Southern Maryland a 4-3 lead.
Both bullpens pitched incredibly well. The Rockers’ relievers allowed no runs and no hits in three innings. The Blue Crabs bullpen also thrived as John Hayes and Adam Choplick did not allow a run in the seventh or eighth innings.
In the ninth, James Dykstra (S, 2) allowed a leadoff single. He would recover and retire the next three batters in order, giving the Blue Crabs a 4-3 win.
The Blue Crabs will return home tomorrow, June 23th for the third game of a six-game homestand with a matchup against the High Point Rockers with a 6:35 p.m. first pitch.
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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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