Blue Crabs’ four-game win streak snapped
La Plata grad Thompson takes no-hitter into sixth in loss
Riding a four-game win streak into Sunday afternoon, the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs were looking to keep the momentum going with starting pitcher Daryl Thompson on the mound versus Lancaster.
Through 5 2/3 innings, the 2003 La Plata High School graduate had a no-hitter in a scoreless game.
The no-hitter was no more two outs into the sixth inning, then there was no more shutout and then there was no more win as Lancaster scored four runs on five hits with two down, two charged to Thompson, in a 5-0 shutout win at Regency Furniture Stadium in what was to be Game 1 of a doubleheader after Saturday’s contest was rained out. The loss snapped a four-game winning streak.
The series finale was supposed to be the second game of the doubleheader on Sunday, but it was postponed due to the rain. No makeup date was announced as of press time.
The Blue Crabs won the series opener versus the Barnstomers on Friday, 2-1, and capped off the four-game series versus New Britain with a 4-3 victory on Thursday, winning their second series of the season, three-games to one.
“It was good to see Daryl go to work on the mound, unfortunately Lancaster was able to get a two-out hit and we couldn’t get out of that inning,” Blue Crabs manager Jeremy Owens said. “You have to tip your hat to Lancaster. They can hit the ball.”
In the top of the sixth, Josh Bell hit a two-out triple for the first hit of the game off of Thompson. Sean Halton then walked, ending the day for Thompson, who struck out five batters and walked six. He dropped to 0-3 on the season.
Left-hander Jeff Urlaub came out of the bullpen, but yielded RBI singles to Mike McDade, Charlie Cutler and Jeff Kobernus to put the Barnstormers up 3-0. The first two runs being charged to Thompson.
Logan Schafer reached on a throwing error by Urlaub as Cutler scored from third to bring the score to 4-0.
Halton had an RBI double in
the seventh, scoring Bell, to end the scoring.
The Blue Crabs left eight runners on base in the game.
Bryan Evans picked up his second win of the season for Lancaster as he threw six innings of shutout baseball, while also striking out five.
Southern Maryland (11-19 overall) kicked off a seven-game road trip on Tuesday versus York with the first of a three-game series. Game 2 is scheduled for 6:30 tonight.
Entering Tuesday York was tied for first with Sugar Land in the Freedom Division at 17-14 with the Blue Crabs sitting in last place 5 1/2 games out of first place. Monday was off day in the Atlantic League.
“We had a good home stretch and won close games,” Owens said. “Our guys just keep playing and we keep fighting.”
On Friday, Blue Crabs lefthander Brian Burres pitched seven shutout innings with seven strikeouts, allowing just just four hits.
The Blue Crabs scored in the third and seventh innings on RBI singles by Steve Lombardozzi, who was 2 for 4 at the
plate, and Eric Garcia.
Justin Berg pitched the eighth and struck out two batters, while Cody Eppley got the save, pitching a scoreless ninth, allowing just one hit.
Terry Doyle got the loss for Lancaster, going seven innings, allowing two runs on five hits with two strikeouts.
Thurday, New Britain took a 3-0 lead in the top of the fifth, but the Blue Crabs got on the board in
the bottom half, coming to within 3-2 on an RBI single by Zach Wilson.
Jamar Walton’s RBI single in the eighth brought home Bryant Nelson. D’Arby Myers followed with an RBI single to give the Blue Crabs the 4-3 lead.
In the ninth, Eppley came out of the bullpen and picked up the save as the Bees left the tying run in scoring position.