The Blue Crabs came into Thursday night’s game against the Ducks on a six-game losing streak after being swept by the Somerset Patriots. That was extended to seven games, as the Blue Crabs fell in game one to the Ducks by the final of 5-3. The Ducks lead the league in batting, with the highest cumulative team average (.279), and pitching, with the lowest cumulative team ERA (3.45).
The Ducks wasted no time getting on the board. Left fielder Anthony Vega drew a leadoff walk in the first inning and scored after being batted around by the next two men in the order. Long Island made the score 2-0 with a run in the third after a leadoff single by Vega and a single by center fielder Delta Cleary Jr.
Bryant Nelson walked to lead off the fourth inning for the Blue Crabs, and D’Arby Myers reached on a single to the third base side. Both Nelson and Myers scored on back-to-back singles to deep left field by Michael Snyder and Zach Wilson to tie the game at two.
First baseman Mark Minicozzi put the Ducks back on top with a solo home run in the top of the sixth, but the Blue Crabs answered in the bottom of the frame when Walton doubled and Snyder singled to bring in the run, making the score 3-3.
The Ducks took the lead again in the seventh when Vega scored his third run of the game after a base hit to left, stealing second, reaching third on an error and scoring on a sacrifice fly. Long Island threatened to put up more runs the next inning, but Bryant Nelson made a long throw from the hot corner to first to record the last out of the inning and prevent any runs from scoring in the eighth. They made it a two-run game in the top of the ninth with a pair of back-to-back singles. The Blue Crabs went down in order in the bottom of the inning to end the game and lose 5-3.
Game two of the series will take place tomorrow at Regency Furniture Stadium. The first pitch is set for 7:05 P.M. For tickets and information, log on to somdbluecrabs.com, or call 301-374-1123. The game broadcast will also be available on youtube.com, Southern Maryland Blue Crabs page, and allinbroadcasting.com. It all starts with “Blue Crabs on Deck” at 6:30 P.M. The play-by-play broadcast will begin at 7:05 P.M. with Blue Crabs Broadcaster Jim Tarabocchia.