(Waldorf, MD., Aug. 20, 2017) – The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (17-25) were victorious in the finale against the Somerset Patriots (20-22) 7-4, with a Tucker Nathans grand slam leading the way.
Both pitchers were dominant through the first three innings, with a Carlos Guzman double serving as the only hit for either team. The Patriots were finally able to open up the scoring in the fourth off Brian Grening. Justin Trapp led off the inning with a double, moving up to third on a flyout from Yovan Gonzalez. Two batters later, Mark Minicozzi fought for a two-out double, scoring Trapp to give Somerset a 1-0 lead.
The Blue Crabs were able to respond, manufacturing a run in the bottom of the fifth. Cory Vaughn started the inning with a single, stealing second and third to move up. Patrick Palmeiro then came through with an RBI single, scoring Vaughn to tie the game.
Somerset bounced back immediately, scoring three to regain the lead. Grening allowed a single to Alfredo Rodriguez to start, with Rodriguez moving to second on a sacrifice bunt from Trapp. Gonzalez followed with another single, with Kyle Roller walking to load the bases. Another RBI hit from Minicozzi scored Rodriguez, and led to Grening being lifted from the game.
Rob Carson was first out of the bullpen, coming in with the bases loaded and one out. Carson struck out the first batter he faced, before Justin Pacchioli came through with a two-RBI single up the middle. Pacchioli’s single scored Gonzalez and Roller, putting the Patriots up 4-1.
The Blue Crabs fought back in the seventh, taking their first lead of the game in the inning. Back-to-back singles led off the inning, before a one-out walk to Palmeiro loaded the bases. A.J. Atcher (2-2) then picked up a strikeout to bring the Patriots to within one out of escaping the jam. Edwin Garcia was up next, battling for a walk to score a run and keep the bases loaded. Tucker Nathans followed, batting for the first time with the bases loaded on the season. Nathans came through for the Blue Crabs, crushing a grand slam to right field, giving Southern Maryland a 6-4 lead.
An insurance run was added in the eighth, as a couple of wild pitches allowed pinch-runner Kalaika Kahoohalahala to score. The Blue Crabs then called on closer Cody Eppley (S,27) to close out the three-run lead. Eppley allowed a two-out walk, before striking out Rodriguez looking to finish off the 7-4 win. The victory clinched back-to-back series wins for the Blue Crabs.
The Blue Crabs return to action Monday, August 21st for the opener of the four-game series against the Lancaster Barnstormers. Southern Maryland will send RHP Daryl Thompson (7-6, 3.75) to the mound, looking to continue the momentum. He will matchup with Lancaster’s LHP Tommy Shirley (2-4, 6.57). First pitch in the game scheduled for 6:30 P.M. on Monday at Clipper Magazine 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.