(Bridgeport, CT., Jul. 23, 2017) – The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (8-8) were victorious in the series finale against the Bridgeport Bluefish (10-7) 9-4, rallying in the ninth to win the game.
Southern Maryland fell behind early in the matchup, as they looked to win the game and finish the series with a split. Gaby Hernandez allowed a lead-off single to D’Arby Myers, who stole second and advanced to third on a flyball. Myers came in from third on a groundout from Jose Cuevas, opening the scoring on the afternoon.
The Blue Crabs were able to respond with a run of their own in the third on a solo homerun from Edwin Garcia. Both teams were scoreless for the next two innings, before the Blue Crabs added two more runs, taking their first lead of the day off Mike Aquilino. Garcia walked to start the inning, advancing to scoring position on a one-out single from Michael Snyder. Cory Vaughn followed with a single, scoring Garcia from second to take the lead. After a walk to L.J. Hoes, Aquilino was lifted from the game with the bases loaded and one out. Frank Dejiulio Jr. took over, immediately allowing a sacrifice fly, scoring Snyder and putting the Blue Crabs ahead 3-1.
Hernandez continued strong on the mound, allowing just four hits through his first seven innings of work. He finally ran into trouble in the eighth, sacrificing the lead in the inning. Sean Burroughs started the inning with a single, before an error at third put two men aboard. Two batters later, a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases with one out in the inning. A strikeout picked up out number two, before Hernandez walked Daniel Fields, cutting the lead to just one run. Jose Gil followed with a bases-loaded single, scoring two runs and putting Bridgeport ahead 4-3. Zack Thornton (1-1) was then brought in from the bullpen, picking Fields off of second to finally end the inning.
The Bluefish turned their new one-run advantage to their closer Elvin Ramirez. Ramirez picked up two quick outs, before everything fell apart in the inning for Bridgeport. A single from Zach Cone started the rally, before Garcia doubled him in, tying the game. Zach Wilson followed with a single, scoring Garcia to retake the lead. Two more singles came next, scoring Wilson for an insurance run. After L.J. Hoes was hit by a pitch to load the bases, an error in right field emptied promptly emptied the bases, scoring all three runners to take a 9-4 advantage to the bottom of the ninth.
Cody Eppley came on to shut down the game, working a quick 1-2-3 inning for Southern Maryland. The 9-4 win ended a two-game skid for the Blue Crabs, and secured a split in the four-game road series.
The Blue Crabs return to action Tuesday, July 25th, for the series opener of the four-game series against the Somerset Patriots. The Blue Crabs will head to TD Bank Ballpark to face the First-Half Liberty Division Champions. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 P.M. on Tuesday.
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.