(Waldorf, MD., Jul. 31, 2017) – The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (10-14) took the series opener against the Bridgeport Bluefish (13-11) 4-3, with Jose Lozada’s solo home run in the bottom of the eighth serving as the difference.
Both starting pitchers were strong through three innings, with just three hits total being allowed. Southern Maryland finally got to Reinier Roibal in the bottom of the fourth, putting up three runs in the frame. Edwin Garcia led off the inning with a single, extending his hitting streak to 10 games. Two batters later, Michael Snyder doubled down the right field line, scoring Garcia from first to get the Blue Crabs on the board first. L.J. Hoes followed with a two-run home run to left field, his first as a member of the Blue Crabs.
Eric Fornataro headed back to the mound with a 3-0 lead, having allowed just three hits through his first four innings of work. The right-hander walked the first batter in the inning before a single from Welington Dotel singled to put two men aboard. Dotel was cut down on a double steal attempt, but Daniel Fields advanced to third. Fields scored easily on the next play, a ground ball to second from Tony Abreu, cutting the Blue Crabs lead to 3-1.
After a scoreless sixth inning, Fornataro was lifted from the game after recording his first quality start of the season. Cody Hebner came on in relief, picking up two quick outs to start the top of the seventh. However, Fields connected on a solo shot to right field, cutting the Blue Crabs lead to just one run, a 3-2 advantage.
The Bluefish rallied for a run in the top of the eighth, tying the game late. Jonathon Galvez singled with one out, being pulled for a pinch-runner at first. D’Arby Myers followed with a ground-rule double, putting two runners in scoring position. Luis Hernandez followed with an infield single, scoring Angel Rosa from third to tie the game. Zack Thornton (2-1) picked up a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning, sending the game tied into the bottom half of the inning.
Jose Lozada led off the inning with a solo home run, putting the Blue Crabs back ahead 4-3. Lozada’s fifth home run of the season set up the closer Cody Eppley for the top of the ninth (S,26). Eppley allowed a leadoff single, with a wild pitch advancing the runner to second. A groundout from Daniel Fields put the tying run on third, before Eppley forced a groundout to shortstop, ending the back-and-forth matchup with a 4-3 Blue Crabs win.
The Blue Crabs return to Tuesday, August 1st for the second game of the three-game series against the Bluefish. Southern Maryland will send RHP Brian Grening (7-4, 2.93) to the mound, looking to clinch a series win. He will matchup with Bridgeport’s RHP Charles Brewer (6-4, 4.31), facing the Blue Crabs for the fourth time this season. First pitch in the game scheduled for 6:35 P.M. on Tuesday 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.