The Somerset Patriots scored in the first two innings and held on to defeat the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs by the final count of 3-2 at TD Bank Ballpark. Southern Maryland now drops to 1-6 on their eight-game road trip.
In his first appearance of the season, Ben Brach (1-0) fired five scoreless innings scattering two hits with three strikeouts for the win. Ryan Hinson (0-3) went the first five innings for the Blue Crabs and was saddled with the loss allowing three runs, two of them earned.
Somerset scored an unearned run in the bottom of the 1st. With two outs and runners on the corners, Eddy Martinez-Esteve reached on an error by Hinson that allowed Jonny Tucker to score for a 1-0 lead.
The Patriots added their final two runs of the game in the second inning. Nate Spears drove in a run with an RBI single and Tucker later scored on a balk by Hinson to extend the advantage to 3-0.
Southern Maryland crept within a run in the top of the 6th. The Blue Crabs loaded the bases with no one out and Jake Opitz reached on a fielder’s choice and an error by Tucker at second base allowed two runs to score.
The Blue Crabs wrap up their road trip tomorrow afternoon against the Somerset Patriots beginning at 1:05 PM. The Crabs return home Tuesday to begin a three-game series with the Camden Riversharks. You can purchase tickets for the game by visiting www.somdblu
