(Waldorf, MD., Jun. 27, 2017) – The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (37-27) were victorious in game two against the Somerset Patriots (38-26) 6-3, behind four solo home runs.
The Blue Crabs got on the board first in this one, with Michael Snyder leading off the second inning with a home run. Two innings later, Zach Wilson started the fourth inning the same way. Wilson’s 12th home run of the season put the Blue Crabs ahead 2-0.
Drew Hayes (3-2) dominated the Patriots on the mound, giving up just two hits over seven innings of work. Hayes allowed just two runners to reach second, with neither ever going further than that. David Kubiak (3-6) battled Hayes on the other side, but gave up a third solo home run in the seventh inning, this time to Zach Cone.
Hayes was lifted after seven, turning the three-run lead over to reliever Jesse Beal. Beal walked Alfredo Rodriguez to start the inning, with Rodriguez scoring two batters later, on a Greg Golson triple. Kyle Roller followed with a sacrifice fly to right field, cutting the Blue Crabs lead to just one run.
The Blue Crabs responded quickly, picking up three extra-base hits in the top of the ninth. Snyder was the first in the inning, connecting on another solo home run, his second of the game, and his third multi-homerun game of the season. Back-to-back doubles from Cory Vaughn and L.J. Hoes followed, with Vaughn coming across to score on the Hoes double. Two batters later, Luis Alen came through with a RBI single, scoring Hoes, and giving the Blue Crabs a 6-2 lead heading to the bottom of the ninth.
Southern Maryland turned the lead over to their closer Cody Eppley, three outs away from moving one game closer to a first-half championship. Two straight singles started the inning, putting runners at the corners with nobody out. Aharon Eggleston grounded into a fielder’s choice, scoring Carlos Guzman. After picking up the second out, Eppley walked two straight batters, loading the bases, and bringing the winning run to the plate. Golson battled to a 2-2 count, before grounding out to third, allowing the Blue Crabs to narrowly escape with the win.
The Blue Crabs move to 37-27 on the season and maintain a two-game lead in the Freedom Division. Their magic number to clinch the first-half championship, and a playoff berth, is five games.
The Blue Crabs return to action Wednesday, June 27th for the third game of the series in Somerset. Southern Maryland will send RHP Brian Grening (6-1, 2.44) to the mound, matching up with Somerset’s LHP Rick Teasley (6-1, 2.40). The two pitchers currently sit atop the Atlantic League leaderboard in ERA among eligible starting pitchers. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 P.M. on Wednesday 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.