(Waldorf, MD., Aug. 17, 2018) - The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (14-21) were victorious against the Road Warriors (7-29) 14-2, their highest single-game run total this season.
The baseball on the day began with the resumption off a game last was suspended last Friday due to rain in the bottom of the sixth inning. The Road Warriors held a 4-0 lead at the time, and when the game resumed on Friday with one on and one out, Luis Cruz took over on the mound for Kelvin Villa (4-10). After another fielder’s choice put Jon Griffin on first, before a two-run homerun from Frank Martinez cut the deficit in half.
A pair of scoreless innings ensued, sending the two-run game into the ninth. Andrew Johnston (S,10) came on looking to close things for the first game. A single from Devon Rodriguez put the leadoff man aboard, bringing the tying run to the plate. A flyout and a fielder’s choice put two away in the inning, before Johnston struck out the final batter in the game to finish the 4-2 game.
After a break just over 30 minutes, the teams returned to the field for a scheduled seven-inning game, with Craig Stem (6-6) and Villa both serving as the starters once again in the game. A scoreless first started that game, before the Blue Crabs offense came alive in the second inning. A single, walk, and hit-by-pitch loaded the bases with nobody out. Angelys Nina would single back up the middle, scoring Rodriguez and Cory Vaughn for the first two runs of the game.
After a lineout put the first out of the inning on the board, a fielder’s choice from Edwin Garcia brought home Craig Maddox. Back-to-back singles from Teodoro Martinez and Jon Griffin put two more up in the inning, before a sacrifice fly from Frank Martinez scored Teodoro. A single from Rodriguez brought home another, with three batters later Craig Maddox adding a double to score Rodriguez and Vaughn for the final two runs in the inning. In total Southern Maryland brought nine runs across the plate, their highest total in a single inning this season.
The offense was not done yet, as Ryan Strausborger started the very next inning with a solo homerun. Garcia would add another single after that, advancing to second on a wild pitch. Garcia would come around a few batters later, when Frank Martinez doubled to make the score 11-0.
A second solo homerun of the day from Strausborger would push the lead out further in the top of the fifth, before the Road Warriors would get on the board in the sixth. A single from Melvin Rodriguez opened the frame, before he moved around to third on a ground-rule double from Jorge Fernandez. A groundout to first would bring home Rodriguez, with Fernandez scoring on a second groundout.
The Blue Crabs weren’t going to finish quietly, as their offense picked back up in the bottom of the sixth. Vaughn led things off with a double, moving up to third on an error at shortstop that allowed Nina to reach. A Strausborger groundout would bring home Vaughn, with a single from Teodoro Martinez scoring Nina few batters later to push the lead to 14-2.
Ryan Chaffee came on for the top of the seventh, looking to finish off the game and extend the official winning streak to four games. After a flyout started the frame, Isaac Wenrich tripled to put a man in scoring position. Chaffee got a popup to third for the second out, before a walk extended the game one more batter. The reliever responded to force a groundout to second, ending the game with a 14-2 win for Southern Maryland
The Blue Crabs return to action Saturday, August 14th for the third game in the series against the Road Warriors. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 P.M. on Saturday at Regency Furniture Stadium.
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.