(Bridgewater, NJ., Aug. 5, 2017) – The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (12-16) won game two against the Somerset Patriots (14-13) 5-0, behind seven scoreless innings from Daryl Thompson (6-6).
Jose Lozada got the game started quickly, doubling to center to lead off the top of the first inning. After advancing to third on a groundout, Cory Vaughn grounded out to first, allowing Lozada to score. The run gave Daryl Thompson (6-6) a 1-0 lead before even throwing his first pitch of the night.
Thompson went to the hill looking to rebound from back-to-back losses against Bridgeport and Lancaster. The veteran right-hander retired 14 of the first 15 batters he faced, before working into a jam with two outs in the fifth. Carlos Guzman reached base on a two-out single, advancing to scoring position on a single from Alfredo Rodriguez. Thompson recovered by forcing Scott Kelly to roll into a fielder’s choice, retiring the side and stranding a pair of runners.
Efrain Nieves (1-3) settled in on the other side for Somerset, working four straight scoreless innings for the Patriots after the run in the first. The Blue Crabs were finally able to get to the southpaw again in the sixth, adding an insurance run in the inning. Vaughn started the inning with a walk, moving to second on a single from Michael Snyder. L.J. Hoes followed with a single of his own, scoring Vaughn from second to put the Blue Crabs up 2-0.
Thompson continued to shut down the Patriots offense, retiring the last seven batters he faced. He allowed just three hits through seven innings, before turning the two-run lead over to the bullpen. Zack Thornton was called upon first, finding trouble in the bottom of the eighth. Guzman led off with a single, moving up on a one-out single from Kelly. Thornton bounced back to force back-to-back flyouts to right field, ending the inning and maintaining the 2-0 lead.
Southern Maryland added three runs to their lead in the ninth, homering twice off reliever Duane Below. Zach Cone was the first in the inning, connecting on a solo shot with one out. After a single from Patrick Palmeiro, Luis Alen added a two-run homerun, extending the lead to 5-0.
The Blue Crabs turned the bottom of the ninth over to closer Cody Eppley, with the 3-4-5 hitters due up for the Patriots. The All-Star allowed a one-out walk, before forcing a double play off the bat of Christian Marrero to finalize the win. The Blue Crabs pitchers combined to allow just five hits on the night, striking out seven batters in the game as well.
The Blue Crabs return to action Sunday, August 6th for the series finale against the Patriots. Southern Maryland will send RHP Drew Hayes (5-5, 4.05) to the mound, looking to pick up the series win. He will matchup with Somerset’s RHP Will Oliver (4-2, 5.25). First pitch in the game scheduled for 5:05 P.M. on Sunday at TD Bank Ballpark.
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.