WALDORF, Md. – The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (10-19) won the second game in the series against the Road Warriors (5-25) 7-3, snapping a six-game losing streak.
Despite four hits between the teams in the first two innings, the game remained scoreless heading in to the third. Two quick outs started the inning from Chris Mazza (3-0), before an error at third base would allow Osvaldo Martinez to reach base to extend the inning. A single from Melvin Rodriguez would move Martinez to second, allowing him to come around on a single from Jorge Fernandez to open the scoring on the night.
After stranding two runners in his first three innings, Felix Baez (3-8) issued a walk to Teodoro Martinez as the leadoff man in the fourth inning. Martinez took off for second during the next at-bat, getting in safely to second and then advancing to third on a throwing error from the catcher on the play. A sacrifice fly from Frank Martinez would bring him home from third, evening the game at 1-1.
After a scoreless fifth, the Blue Crabs took their first lead in the series in the sixth with a pair of runs. Edwin Garcia led off the inning with a solo homerun, his third long ball of the season and first to come at home. That was followed by an error at third base that allowed Teodoro Martinez to reach base once again. A wild pitch would advance Martinez to second, where Frank Martinez would bring him home once again, this time on a double to push the lead out to 3-1.
After a solo homerun from Gustavo Pierre got one back for the Road Warriors in the seventh, the Blue Crabs offense kept things going with three in the bottom half of the inning. Two outs started things in the frame, before back-to-back walks put two on. A single from Teodoro Martinez scored Ryan Strausborger, with Garcia adding another when he came across on a wild pitch.
Southern Maryland would add another to their lead in the eighth, when Angelys Nina doubled home Cory Vaughn to take a five-run lead. The closer Cody Eppley then took the mound in the top of the ninth, looking to finish off the win to snap the losing streak. A walk and a double led off the inning, with a groundball to third allowing Jose Ruiz to score. Eppley bounced back with a strikeout and a flyout, finishing off the 7-3 win for Southern Maryland.
The Blue Crabs return to action Sunday, August 12th for the final game of the series against the Road Warriors. First pitch is scheduled for 2:05 P.M. on Sunday at Regency Furniture Stadium.
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.