(Sugar Land, TX., Aug. 29, 2018) - The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (16-29) fell in game two of the series against the Sugar Land Skeeters (32-14) 4-3.
After a slow start in the series opener, Sugar Land wasted no time grabbing the lead in this game. Barrett Barnes opened the bottom of the first with a walk, moving around to third on a triple from Anthony Giansanti. Two batters later a single from Juan Silverio would bring home Barnes to open the scoring on the night. Craig Stem (6-8) then would force a double play, limiting the damage to just one in the inning.
A scoreless second ensued, before the Skeeters added another to their lead in the third. Giansanti started the frame with another walk, moving around to third on a single from Derek Norris. A sacrifice fly brought home Giansanti, giving Sugar Land a 2-0 lead.
Lucas Irvine (1-0) was dominant on the mound for the Skeeters early in the game. The right-hander allowed just one runner in scoring position through the first four inning, before finding some danger in his final two frames. In the fifth Irvine put runners on second and third before escaping damage. He stranded another in scoring position in the sixth, which proved to be his final inning on a scoreless night.
The bullpen took over for both teams in the seventh, and the Blue Crabs immediately capitalized on the change. After a groundout started the inning, a double from Cory Vaughn got another runner in scoring position. A strikeout followed, but a two-out single from Angelys Nina was enough to score Vaughn from second and cut the deficit to one. Nina was stranded on third as the tying run, sending the one-run game to the eighth.
The Skeeters responded to the run in the bottom of the eighth, pushing their lead out to three. An error started the frame, before back-to-back strikeouts nearly finished off the inning. A walk to Daniel Robertson extended things in the inning, with a single from Alvaro Rondon bringing home Matt Chavez. After a walk to Barnes loaded the bases, a single from Giansanti scored Robertson to make it 4-1.
Southern Maryland wasn’t finished though, as they rallied back in the ninth against Felipe Paulino (S,30). The closer started things with two quick outs, before a Nina single kept the game going. A single from Ryan Strausborger led to an error in right field, allowing Nina to score from first and bring the tying run to the plate. Strausborger scored on a passed ball, with an Edwin Garcia single putting him on first as the tying run. Paulino was finally able to escape the inning on a groundout, narrowly holding on for the 4-3 win.
The Blue Crabs return to action Thursday, August 30th for the series finale against the Sugar Land Skeeters. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 P.M. on Wednesday at Constellation Field.
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.