Brownell Outduels Gerening As Ducks Salvage Series

Brownell Outduels Gerening as Ducks Salvage Series

Posted by TBNDavid On 07/09/2017

(Waldorf, MD., Jul. 9, 2017) - The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (4-2) fell to the Long Island Ducks (3-4) 4-3, behind a quality start from John Brownell.

The first inning was a raucous power display by Ducks batters. Leadoff hitter Fehlandt Lentini deposited the second pitch he saw from starter Brian Grening onto the roof of the clubhouse long past the left field wall for a solo home run. Two batters later, Lew Ford took the second pitch he saw out to the left-center field power alley for a solo home run that just cleared the wall. The very next batter, Marc Krauss, struck the second pitch he saw for a on opposite field solo home run that brought the score to 3-0 Ducks.

The Blue Crabs got their offensive spark from some unlikely sources. After back-to-back singles from L.J. Hoes and Zach Cone, second baseman Brian Bistagne hit a one-out double that rocketed off the mini monster wall in left field scoring both men and drawing Southern Maryland to within a 3-2 margin.

As Brian Grening settled in after his rocky start, the Blue Crabs’ bats got him back even. A one-out single by Zach Wilson was followed promptly by a double from Michael Snyder. Cory Vaughn then drove Wilson in from third with a sacrifice fly to the right fielder tying the game at 3-3.

The tide turned however in the top of the fifth inning. The Ducks’ Fehlandt Lentini slapped a ball to the right side of the shallow infield that drew Grening off the mound to the field. He picked up the ball, planted awkwardly, and fired wide onto first past Wilson allowing Lentini to advance all the way to third base. Lentini then was immediately driven in on a Delta Cleary Jr. sacrifice fly to center field to put the Ducks ahead 4-3.

Both starting pitchers threw quality starts on the day, with the unearned run being the difference for Long Island. Starter John Brownell (W, 7-1) threw seven innings, allowing three earned runs and striking out seven. Blue Crabs starter Brian Grening threw eight innings allowing three earned runs while striking out three batters.

The Atlantic League celebrates its 20th All-Star Game with the Somerset Patriots hosting from Bridgewater, NJ on Wednesday, July 12th. The Blue Crabs will head into the All-Star Break with a record of 4-2 before returning to action Friday, July 14th, for the first game of a three-game series against the New Britain Bees. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 P.M. on Friday at New Britain Stadium.

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.

Page 1