Alvarez controls Blue Crabs, Ducks sweep in series finale

(Central Islip, NY., Aug. 9, 2017) – The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (13-19) dropped the series finale against the Long Island Ducks (17-14) 4-1, with a four-run third inning doing the damage.

Both starters traded scoreless innings in the first and second before the Blue Crabs struck first in the top of the third. Henderson Alvarez (1-1) allowed a one-out single to L.J. Hoes, who advanced to second on a groundout. Cory Vaughn followed, narrowly missing a home run, but settling for a RBI double to open the scoring.

The Ducks responded quickly, putting up four runs in the bottom half of the inning off Gaby Hernandez (8-3). Two singles started the inning, before a double from Delta Clearly Jr scored both to put the Ducks ahead. Clearly came around to score on a Marc Krauss single, the fourth hit in a row for Long Island. Krauss added the fourth run in the inning, on a two-out double from Alex Burg, giving the Ducks a 4-1 lead.

Alvarez took over from there, not allowing a hit over his final two innings of work. He turned the three-run lead over to his bullpen, who picked up right where he left off. John Lannon was first out of the pen for the Ducks, allowing a leadoff single to Tucker Nathans. A double play followed, helping Lannon to a scoreless sixth inning.

Unfortunately for Southern Maryland, the hit from Nathans was the last they would see in the game, being silenced over the final three frames. The Ducks bullpen worked three straight 1-2-3 innings, with Amalio Diaz (S,9) finishing off the night for his second save of the series.

The Blue Crabs return to action Thursday, August 10th as the Ducks travel to Southern Maryland for a four-game series. Southern Maryland will send RHP Daryl Thompson (6-6, 4.09) to the mound, looking to rebound from the sweep. He will matchup with Long Island’s RHP Maatt Larkins (5-6, 4.20). First pitch in the game scheduled for 6:35 P.M. on Thursday 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.