On a cool night at Regency Furniture Stadium, the Blue Crab pitchers never got warmed up. The Bridgeport Bluefish hitters got warm early and stayed that way throughout the ballgame.
Five Southern Maryland pitchers combined to give up 12 runs on 12 hits, helped out by two defensive miscues. Starting pitcher Carlos Perez made his Blue Crabs debut, only lasting 2 1/3 innings in the losing effort. Perez allowed 4 runs on 3 hits before turning the ball over to Jason Blanton, who didn’t fare much better. Blanton, along with Brian Shackleford, Chris Gale, and Travis Wade pitched in relief, combining for 8 runs and 9 hits.
The Bluefish lineup put up runs in innings 2 thru 6, and would have put up more if not for a base running gaff in the 3rd inning. With the bases loaded first baseman Jesse Hoorelbeke drove a ball that carried over center fielder Curtis Pride’ head. Hoorelbeke had to settle for a long single, due to the runners in front of him thinking the ball had been caught. It was the only mistake Bridgeport would make.
The Blue Crabs bright spot of the night came in the bottom of the 2nd, when first baseman Kyle Nichols smashed a solo shot over the left field wall. The Crabs were able to put up 3 more runs in the later innings, scoring runs in the fifth, sixth, and seventh. The comeback was not to be, as it was too little to late.
In the battle of Blue, it was the Crabs who were left feeling that way. – J.R. Mackey