WALDORF, MD. — Left-hander Brian Burres took the mound for the Blue Crabs Tuesday evening against Kevin De La Cruz, Lancaster’s southpaw, in what proved to be an evenly matched pitcher’s contest. De La Cruz struck out five batters in a row from the second to third innings, and Burres didn’t give up a hit until the fifth inning.
Charlie Cutler led off the fifth inning with a single to left, followed by a single by second baseman Jeff Kobernus. Third baseman Josh Bell doubled to right field to score both runs and give Lancaster a 2-0 lead. The Barnstormers tacked on an insurance run in the next inning, after shortstop Kevin Ahrens hit a leadoff double and Charlie Cutler hit a sacrifice fly to allow Ahrens to score.
In the bottom of the frame Alfredo Marte broke up De La Cruz’s no-hit bid with a single to right field. Marte stole second, and reached third on a fielding error by Bell, but was unable to score. The Blue Crabs committed two errors in the top of the ninth, allowing Lancaster to increase their lead to four.
Blue Crabs infielder Bryant Nelson went hitless in the game, and is still one hit away from becoming the Atlantic League’s all-time hits leader. The Blue Crabs and the Barnstormers will play a doubleheader tomorrow at Regency Furniture Stadium starting at 11:05 a.m.
