RHP Jake Hale came into today’s ballgame having thrown 16.2 innings in his last two starts. While today he tacked on another 7.2 innings to that number, his offense only produced one run on four hits as the Blue Crabs went on to lose to the Skeeters by the final of 2-1.
Southern Maryland got the scoring started in the top of the first putting up a run on the board. With one out, Jake Opitzsingled into center to put a runner on base. Zach Wilson then singled, and Cyle Hankerd was hit by the pitch to load the bases. The next hitter Gustavo Molina reached base on an error by the shortstop Weems to score Opitz from third in the process to make it 1-0. The Blue Crabs rally ended though on the next hitter as Daryle Ward flied out to right, which triggered Zach Wilson to be thrown out at home by the right fielder Jeremy Barfield on the sacrifice fly attempt to end the Blue Crabs rally.
11 of the next 12 Blue Crabs hitters were then set down, and in the bottom of the fifth, Jeremy Barfield stepped to the plate for the Skeeters with one out in the inning. Barfield was making his debut as a member of the Skeeters, and he didn’t disappoint, as he hit a bomb over the wall for a solo homer to tie the game. It is the second homer for Barfield off Blue Crabs pitching this season, with the first one coming back on May 7th at Regency Furniture Stadium.
With the game tied at one in the bottom of the eighth, Beamer Weems led off with a single. The next hitter Chris Wallace advanced Weems to second with a sacrifice bunt. After Weems advanced to third on a wild pitch, and a Denny Almonte walk, Willy Taveras singled in the go ahead run in Weems to make it 2-1.
Southern Maryland was set down in order in the top of the ninth by John Lujan as the Blue Crabs were sent to their second straight loss. Adrian Martin picked up the win, pitching an inning out of the bullpen, while Jake Hale suffered his second loss of the season.
The series will continue tomorrow with a doubleheader, with game one beginning at 6:05, and game two set to start 30 minutes following the conclusion of game one. RHP Shaun Garceau (2-2, 2.45) will throw for Southern Maryland, andRHP Sean Gallagher (0-3, 2.92) will toss for Sugar Land. In game two of the doubleheader RHP Matt Wright (3-1, 2.57), is set to start for Sugar Land, while LHP Brian Burres (1-1, 2.32) will make his return to the rotation to throw for Southern Maryland.