The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs faced the Lancaster Barnstormers for the final time in the 2013 Atlantic League Regular Season. After splitting the first two games of the series, the Blue Crabs aimed to win their final road series of the regular season in a 1:30 p.m. affair at Clipper Magazine Stadium in Lancaster, Pa. Getting the ball after last night’s win was left-handed pitcher, Mike O’Connor. The ‘stormers countered with a southpaw as well as they handed the ball to lefty, Rich Rundles. Both pitchers threw the ball well as runs were hard to come by but the Blue Crabs pulled through in the 11th inning en route to the 4-2 victory.
After giving up a run in the first to the Barnstormers, the Blue Crabs offense evened up the score in the top of the second thanks to newest addition, DH Ian Gac, smashed his second home run in as many games, as he lead off the inning with a solo smash against Rundles. The Crabs would take the lead in the fifth as CF Donnie Webb started the inning with a single and eventually scored on 3B Nick Schwaner’s one-out single.
The Barnstormers did not let the Blue Crabs lead last as they tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the sixth. After RF Ryan Harvey, lead off the inning with a double, he advanced to third on a deep fly ball off the bat of Jeremy Williams. With one out, C Gustavo Molina singled to score Harvey from third, tying the game at 2-2.
As the game remained tied headed into the eleventh, the Crabs offense finally broke through for two runs and the lead. Jose Salas and Brian Barton both reached to begin the inning. After, Cesar Nicolas laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners, 2B Jake Opitz singled to score Salas from third. Wladimir Sutil followed with an RBI fielder’s choice to bring the score to 4-2.
The Crabs wouldn’t relinquish the lead as closer, Jim Ed Warden, capped off an excellent day for the Blue Crabs bullpen, pitching a scoreless frame in the bottom of the 11th as the Blue Crabs held on for the 4-2 victory.
UP NEXT – The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs will pack their bags and head home for their final home stand in the 2013 Atlantic League Regular Season. They will begin their home stand with a three-game series against the Camden Riversharks. The first game of the series is slated for Tuesday, August 10th at 7:05pm at Regency Furniture Stadium. To listen to the Blue Crabs tune in to www.phoenixintermedia.com. Fans can also purchase tickets by logging onto
