The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs lost to the York Revolution, 9-4, in the regular-season finale at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, Maryland. York scored all nine of its runs on 14 hits through the first six innings and pulled away after Southern Maryland tied the game in the third.
The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs’ record stood at 32-28 in the Atlantic League and 73-50 overall after the loss, while the York Revolution improved to 40-20 in the league and 75-48 overall. York starting pitcher Julian Costa earned the win after allowing one earned run over six innings, and Ian Kahaloa took the loss for Southern Maryland, finishing 9-9 on the season.
York Builds Lead After Early Tie
The York Revolution opened the scoring in the second inning when Tomo Otosaka and Nick Dunn hit run-batted-in (RBI) singles. The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs answered in the third, with Ezequiel Pagan driving in a run before a York throwing error allowed Taylor Darden to score and tie the game at 2-2.
York scored seven unanswered runs over the next three innings. Dunn hit a two-run home run in the fourth, and Andrew Ramirez added a two-run double in the sixth to give the Revolution a 9-2 lead.
Starting pitcher Ian Kahaloa was tagged for six runs over 4.2 innings and surrendered 12 hits, a season high against him. He finished the season with nine victories and was denied a third 10-win season.
Blue Crabs Rally Late
The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs bullpen settled the game later, preventing further damage after York took control. Anthony Hoopii-Tuionetoa, Ethan Hammerberg, J.P. Massey and Endrys Briceno combined to throw 3.2 scoreless innings.
Costa recorded his second quality start in as many outings against Southern Maryland, while Jordan Geber added two scoreless relief innings for York. Ryan Shreve recorded the final outs after Ryan McCarthy hit a two-run single for the Blue Crabs in the ninth inning.
Southern Maryland Blue Crabs Set for Postseason
The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs are scheduled to travel to New York for a three-game series against the Long Island Ducks beginning Friday, September 11. The scheduled first pitch is 6:35 p.m.
Southern Maryland is also set to face the Lexington Legends in the Atlantic League South Division Championship Series. The series will begin with two games in Lexington before Game Three at Regency Furniture Stadium on Friday, September 18. Games Four and Five will also be played in Waldorf, if necessary.
Maryland Sports Blog Take
The York Revolution turned a 2-2 game into a 9-2 advantage over three innings, creating a deficit the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs could not overcome. Southern Maryland received scoreless work from its bullpen and a late two-run single from McCarthy, but York had already secured control.
The Blue Crabs’ focus now shifts to the upcoming series against the Long Island Ducks and the Atlantic League South Division Championship Series against the Lexington Legends.
Source: Original report
