(Central Islip, NY., Aug. 8, 2017) – The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (13-18) dropped both games in a seven-inning doubleheader against the Long Island Ducks (16-14), falling 10-0 in game one, before a late rally gave Long Island a 4-2 win in game two.
After a scoreless first started the game, the Ducks began the scoring with a pair of runs in the second. Back-to-back singles with two outs put a man in scoring position for Giovanny Alfonzo. Alfonzo came through with a single, scoring Alex Burg from second. A fourth single in a row from Dan Lyons allowed Anthony Vega to cross, opening up a 2-0 lead for Long Island.
The scoring wasn’t done there, as the Ducks added another four runs to their lead in the third inning. After two singles started the inning off Eric Fornataro (0-2), a double from Angelo Songco scored both runners. Songco advanced to third on the first out of the inning, before scoring on a two-out single from Vega. Vega stole second, coming across for his second run of the game on another single from Alfonzo.
The Blue Crabs offense remained hitless against Long Island’s starter Alfredo Simon (2-3) working with a comfortable 6-0 lead. The Ducks added another run to their lead in the fifth on a solo homerun from Ruben Gotay. The scoring still wasn’t done though, as they added another three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Two singles and a walk loaded the bases, with a Delta Cleary Jr. sacrifice fly scoring Alfonzo from third. Another walk loaded the bases once more, with a Songco sacrifice fly scoring Lyons. The scoring finished with Quinton Berry scoring on a Gotay single, putting the Ducks ahead 10-0.
The Blue Crabs finally picked up a hit off Simon in the top of the seventh, a one-out single from Michael Snyder. Patrick Palmeiro singled two batters later, with a Tucker Nathans single loading the bases with two outs. Simon was able to force a groundout to second from Luis Alen, finishing off a complete-game shutout win for Long Island.
Brian Grening (7-5) took the mound for Southern Maryland in game two, looking to secure a split on the day. The right-hander didn’t allow a hit through his first two innings, before Long Island scratched across a run in the third. Back-to-back singles started the rally, with a sacrifice bunt advancing both runners to scoring position. A passed ball allowed Alex Burg to cross, opening up the scoring in game two.
The Blue Crabs offense continued to sputter on the day, going hitless through the first three innings against Tyler Levine. L.J Hoes finally broke the drought in the fourth, with a two-out double. Michael Snyder followed with two-run homerun to left-center field, giving Southern Maryland their first lead of the day.
Grening returned to the mound with the lead, continuing to silence the Ducks. He allowed just two hits over the next two innings, before finding trouble in the bottom of the sixth. Back-to-back singles out runners on the corners with nobody out, before Grening got a groundball for out number one. The out advanced the runner to second, putting two men in scoring position for Gotay, who was intentionally walked to load the bases. Elmer Reyes jumped on the first pitch he saw, crushing a fastball to left field for a two-run double, putting the Ducks back on top.
Grening was lifted from the game after the double, leaving with two runners on and one out. Zack Thornton came on to work out of the jam, attempting to hold the deficit to just one run. Thornton got a fly ball to left from Burg, but it was deep enough to score Gotay from third for an insurance run.
The Ducks turned their two-run lead over to Amalio Diaz (S,7) in the top of the seventh. Diaz worked around a one-out single, finishing off the 4-2 win and solidifying the doubleheader sweep for the Ducks.
The Blue Crabs return to action Wednesday, August 9th with the series finale against the Ducks. Southern Maryland will send RHP Gaby Hernandez (8-2, 2.56) to the mound, looking to move into a tie for first in the league in wins. He will matchup with Long Island’s RHP Henderson Alvarez (0-1, 3.60). First pitch in the game scheduled for 6:35 P.M. on Wednesday at Bethpage Ballpark.
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.