Waldorf, MD – The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (2-0) celebrated the Fourth of July with a 2-1 victory in game two of a four-game series against the Sugar Land Skeeters (0-2).

After a walk-off 2-1 win in the second half opener last night, the teams stayed true to form, with the pitching staff battling it out again tonight. All-Star Gaby Hernandez (6-1) got the start for the Blue Crabs, running into trouble in the second inning. After battling with Hector Olivera, Hernandez’ 10th pitch of the at-bat was sent to left-center field for a solo homerun to lead-off the inning. Olivera’s second homerun of the season opened the scoring, with Sugar Land taking a 1-0 lead early.

Bobby Blevins for the Skeeters had the Blue Crabs number all night. The right-hander allowed just one hit through five innings, turning the one-run advantage over to his bullpen. Manny Corpas (1-2) was first out of the bullpen for the Skeeters. The MLB veteran ran into trouble immediately, giving up a lead-off double to Patrick Palmeiro. After an out was recorded, back-to-back singles scored Palmeiro, tying the game. Michael Snyder followed, launching a double off the top of the left field wall, scoring Edwin Garcia to give the Blue Crabs a 2-1 lead.

Hernandez settled in on the mound, dominating the Skeeters after the second inning. The right-hander allowed just one hit over his last five innings, leaving with eight strikeouts in seven strong innings. Hernandez was lifted in favor of Zack Thronton in the eighth. The set-up man ran into trouble, with Kevin Ahrens reaching on an error, advancing to scoring position on a single. Thornton forced a groundball from Olivera, leading to a 6-4-3 double play to escape the jam and maintain the one-run advantage.

All-Star closer Cody Eppley (S,21) came on to work the ninth, looking to keep his perfect save percentage. Eppley worked a 1-2-3 inning, locking in the 2-1 victory in front of a record crowd at Regency Furniture Stadium. The win moves the Blue Crabs to 2-0 on the second half, putting them atop the Freedom Division early.