(Lancaster, PA., Aug. 22, 2017) – The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (17-26) dropped the series opener against the Lancaster Barnstormers (25-19) 7-0, stranding nine runners on base in the matchup.
Neither team could muster a threat in the first five innings of play, as starting pitching dominated the game. Drew Hayes (7-7) allowed just two hits to the Barnstormers through the first five innings, a single in the second and a single in the fifth. Rommie Lewis (8-10) was just as dominant on the other side, giving up just a hit and two walks through five as well. Lewis allowed a man to second twice through the first five frames, working out of the jam both times.
The Blue Crabs threatened in the six, getting a man to third for the first time in the game. Tucker Nathans was hit by a pitch with one out in the inning. Two batters later, Nathans went first-to-third on a two-out single from Michael Snyder. Devon Rodriguez fouled off three straight pitches in the next at-bat, before grounding out to second to end the inning.
The Barnstormers finally got to Hayes in the bottom half of the inning, putting up a pair off the right-hander. Anderson De La Rosa singled to lead off, but was forced out on a Beau Amaral fielder’s choice. Amaral advanced to second on the next play, an error by third baseman Patrick Palmeiro that allowed Trayvon Robinson to reach as well. Cole Garner followed with a double, scoring both runners and giving Lancaster a 2-0 lead.
Southern Maryland threatened Lewis again in the seventh, loading the bases in the inning. Zach Cone walked in between a strikeout and a pop out, sitting on first with two outs. Luis Alen then singled to keep the inning alive, with Edwin Garcia walking behind him to load the bases. Nathans, having hit a grand slam in the last game he played, came up with the bases loaded and two outs. Lewis won the lefty-lefty matchup in the at-bat though, striking Nathans out on three straight pitches.
Lancaster then piled onto their lead in the bottom of the seventh, scoring three off reliever Rob Carson. Nate Coronado got the scoring going with a solo shot, his third homerun of the season. Later in the inning with two outs, Amaral and Robinson connected again for two more runs. Amaral reached first on a single, setting up a two-run homerun from Robinson to break open a 5-0 lead.
The scoring wasn’t done though, as Lancaster added two more to their lead in the eighth. Garrett Weber singled with one out, before two batters later, Coronado added another homerun to his total. Coronado’s second homerun of the game put the Barnstomers up 7-0 heading to the top of the ninth. R.J. Hively came on for the ninth, working a 1-2-3 inning to finish off the win for Lancaster.
The Blue Crabs return to action Wednesday, August 23rd for a doubleheader against the Barnstormers. Southern Maryland will send LHP David Russo (0-2, 5.30) to the mound for game one. RHP Craig Stem (2-2, 4.54) will follow in game two, making his third start of the season. First pitch in the doubleheader scheduled for 6:30 P.M. on Wednesday 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.