The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs defeated the York Revolution 2-0 tonight at Regency Furniture Stadium in a pitcher’s duel, to split the home-and-home series two games apiece. Southern Maryland improves to 3-5 with the win, while York falls to .500 and a 4-4 record.

Blue Crabs RHP Ian Marshall recovered dramatically in his second start of the season after struggling last week against Somerset. Marshall (1-0) pitched a five-hitter in 6.1 innings and doubled his strikeout total (6) since his last start. York’s RHP Brett Tomko also looked impressive in his second start of the season as he pitched seven innings of four-hit ball. His only moment of weakness came in the second inning, letting up a two-run home run.

Southern Maryland’s designated hitter Ryan Mulhern hit the game-winning, two-run home run early in the contest to lift the Blue Crabs to their third win of the season. Mulhern’s home run was his second of the season, as he’s now tallied five RBIs in seven games.

Marshall was confident in the top of the first frame for the Blue Crabs, retiring the first three batters he faced and only needing 10 pitches to do so. Revolution pitcher Tomko would match Marshall’s performance in the top of the inning though, striking out two of four batters that came into the batter’s box. Blue Crabs shortstop Renny Osuna did manage a single in the inning for his third hit in the last two games against York.

It was more of the same for Marshall in the second inning after retiring five consecutive batters, as York finally was able to come up with a hit from second baseman Andres Perez. Marshall got out of the inning though as the next batter, shortstop Wilson Batista hit into a fielder’s choice for the third out.

The Blue Crabs would then tally the first two runs of the game in the bottom of the second. After a leadoff walk by Cyle Hankerd, Mulhern came up to bat. Mulhern belted the ball over the left field wall for the 2-0 lead.

Southern Maryland and York were both silent through the sixth inning as the game turned into a pitcher’s duel, before reliever Eddie Morlan took over in the middle of the seventh..

In the top of the seventh inning, Marshall allowed a single followed by hitting Wilson Batista with a pitch as it seemed as if the Revolution might be able to rally with one out. Morlan then entered the game. After snagging a fielder’s choice out, runners were at the corners. Luckily Tyler Graham was unable to contribute a hit, leaving two York runners stranded on base.

Tomko would pitch through the seventh inning before relief came in for York. The Blue Crabs and the Revolutio