Sugar Land, TX = On Sunday, Sep. 3, the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (24-33) took game three against the Sugar Land Skeeters (28-28) 6-1, with pitching leading the way.
After stranding two runners in the first inning, the Blue Crabs opened up the scoring in the second. Patrick Palmeiro singled to start the rally, with a walk from Luis Alen moving him to scoring position. After Zech Zinicola (0-3) got a flyout for the second out in the inning, Edwin Garcia doubled, scoring Palmeiro. Tucker Nathans followed with a single, scoring both Alen and Garcia to extend the lead. After Nathans stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error, a single from L.J. Hoes allowed him to extend the lead to 4-0.
The Skeeters were able to respond with one of their own in the bottom half of the inning. Back-to-back singles off David Russo (1-3) started the inning, putting two on with nobody out. An error by Palmeiro at third loaded the bases, with a sacrifice fly from Caleb Ramsey allowing Travis Scott to score. However, Russo retired the next two batters to limit the damage to just one.
Zinicola was lifted from the game after the second, with Manny Corpas coming in for two scoreless innings. Corpas returned to the mound for the fifth inning, running into trouble in the inning. A walk and a single led off the inning, before Corpas picked up a strikeout and was removed from the game in favor of Andrew Johnston. Johnston immediately allowed a single to Palmeiro, loading the bases with just one out. An error at shortstop off the bat of Ryan Wiggins allowed Michael Snyder to score. Brian Bistagne followed that with a single, scoring Devon Rodriguez to take a 6-1 lead.
Russo continued strong on the other side, allowing just three hits across his five innings of work. He was lifted from the game after the fifth, turning his five-run advantage over to the bullpen. Craig Stem picked up right where Russo left off, allowing just two baserunners in a pair of scoreless innings.
After a scoreless eighth inning from both bullpens, the Blue Crabs sent closer Cody Eppley out for the bottom of the ninth. Eppley worked a 1-2-3 inning, picking up two strikeouts en route to finishing the game. The win was the first for Russo as a member of Southern Maryland.
The Blue Crabs return to action Monday, Sept. 4 for the series finale of the four-game series against the Skeeters. Southern Maryland will send RHP Brian Grening (8-6, 3.69) to the mound, looking for back-to-back wins. First pitch is scheduled for 2:05 P.M. on Monday at Constellation Field.