Game 2 vs. So MD Blue Crabs

The Skeeters looked to get back to their winning ways in this, the second game of a 3 game series with the Blue Crabs. It was a slow start to the night in Waldorf, MD but Bubba Bell and Drew Locke extended their individual consecutive game hit streaks to 6, each hitting singles in the 1st and 2nd innings. 

In the bottom of the 3rd inning, Ryan McKeller gave up a 2 run HR to Casey Benjamin after a walk to Paco Figueroa making the score 0-2.

Jason Botts continued his individual consecutive game hit streak to 6 with a double...which was his team-leading 4th double of the season. Josh Pressley reached 1st on a fielders choice causing Botts to be caught in a run-down between 2nd and 3rd. Drew Locke then hit a double, scoring Pressley from 1st base, and got thrown out at third trying to stretch it to a triple...ending the top half of the inning. The blue Crabs had a 2 out single but could not produce anything...score was 1-2.

Ben Harrison singled in the top of the 5th, giving himself a mini-game hitting streak of 2 games, and scored on a Bubba Bell single to RF giving the Skeeters their 2nd run of the game. Alex Cintron flew out to RF for the 3rd out of the inning. Before being pulled off the mound, McKeller gave up a double, a single...which scored the runner from 2nd, and a walk. Eric Krebs came in for relief, inheriting 2 runners thanks to McKeller. Krebs ended the inning on a strike out / throw out at 3rd base double play! The score was 2-3 at the end of the inning.

The 6th inning was a quick one for both sides since it was 3 up - 3 down for both teams...score remained 2-3.

The 7th inning again saw the Skeeters go 3 up - 3 down...leaving themselves only 6 out in the game to get something done. Krebs was relieved by Gary Majewski but retired 7 straight Blue Crabs, striking out 3 and not allowing a single hit. Majewski struggled in the beginning by walking the first batter on 5 pitches and allowing a single to Chin-Lung Hu before ending the inning with a fly out. The score remained 2-3.

The 8th inning once again saw the Skeeters go 3 up - 3 down, making it 10 straight Skeeters retired by Virgil Vasquez. The Skeeters were down to their last 3 outs! Things got interesting for Majewski as he gave up a lead-off single to Mike Daniels who then scored on a David Espinosa double to CF, giving the Blue Crabs their 4th run of the game. Majewski then walked Matt Padgett on 6 pitches and the runners advanced to 2nd and 3rd on a Christian Lopez bunt...who was thrown out at 1st. An intentional walk was issued to Jeremy Owens to load the bases. The Blue Crabs were unable to produce anymore runs leaving 3 runners on base to end the inning. The score was 2-4 after the inning.

In the 9th inning, Jim Ed Warden come in to attempt the save for the Blue Crabs. After a Jason Botts fly out to the SS, Josh Pressley deposited a HR, his second of the season, into "Crabby Cove", bringing the Skeeters within 1 run of the Blue Crabs. Drew Locke struck out and Jimmy Van Ostrand singled to LF...bringing up the former Blue Crab, Ben Harrison. After a short battle, an intentional walk was issued to Harrison, the first intentional walk for a Skeeter this season. The rally ended with an Octavio Martinez fly out to RF...ending the game. The final score was 3-4.

After a strong 3 game winning streak to end the first home stand, the Skeeters have dropped the first 2 games of their 10 game road trip. With tonight's loss, that gives them a 3-3 record, still tied for the Freedom Division lead with the Lancaster Barnstormers.

Bobby Livingston (1-0) starts for the Skeeters tomorrow night. The game starts at 6:05PM local time.