(Bridgewater, NJ., Aug. 4, 2017) – The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (11-16) dropped the series opener against the Somerset Patriots (14-12) 1-0, with David Kubiak (5-8) tossing seven scoreless innings to lead the way for Somerset.

Kyle Roller got the scoring started in the matchup, hitting a solo homerun to lead off the bottom of the second inning for the Patriots. Roller’s 15th homerun of the season put Somerset ahead of Gaby Hernandez (8-2) early in the matchup.

Kubiak was strong on the other side, allowing just two hits through his first four innings of work. The Blue Crabs finally threatened the right-hander in the top of the fifth, stringing together back-to-back hits for the first time in the game. After a strikeout started the inning, Luis Alen and Brian Bistagne both singled, putting two men on with just one out. Kubiak recovered to get Jose Lozada to roll into a 4-6-3 double play on the first pitch he saw, ending the inning and maintaining the one-run lead.

Hernandez continued to battle for Southern Maryland, despite continued struggles with his command throughout the outing. He allowed just three hits through 5.2 innings, but issued four walks and a hit-by-pitch in the outing as well. He was lifted with two outs in the bottom of the fifth, turning two runners over to Rob Carson, who took just one pitch to end the inning.

Kubiak allowed two more hits in the top of the seventh, before stranding both, the seventh runners left on base by the Blue Crabs in the game. Kubiak was lifted after seven innings, turning the 1-0 Somerset lead over to their bullpen. Dustin Molleken and Ronnie Shaban (S,9) both worked 1-2-3 innings, finishing off the shutout for their starter.

The 1-0 loss was the second time the Blue Crabs have fallen to Somerset by that score in the second half. It also marks just the second loss suffered by Hernandez this season, his first since June 8th.

The Blue Crabs return to action Saturday, August 5th for the game two of the three-game series against the Patriots. Southern Maryland will send RHP Daryl Thompson (5-6, 4.35) to the mound, looking to even the series. He will matchup with Somerset’s LHP Efrain Nieves (1-2, 3.97). First pitch in the game scheduled for 7:05 P.M. on Saturday at TD Bank 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.