Extra innings = another 1 run loss

70 games left in the season and the second half of the season starts with a 6-game home stand against the worst team in the Liberty Division, the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (30-40). Heath Phillips got the call for the Skeeters while Dan Reichert, 3rd time versus Sugar Land, threw for the Blue Crabs.

In order for the Skeeters to make the post season, the best case scenario would be for them to DOMINATE the second half and come back to win the division...but, being down 16 games to Lancaster, the reality of the situation is that their best bet is to get several lengthy win streaks together and come in 2nd place in the division, assuming that the Lancaster Barnstormers will continue their domination and wins the division. 

Phillips, after struggling in the 1st inning giving up 2 runs on 2 hits, dominated the game from the 2nd inning through the 5th inning holding the Blue Crabs hitless & scoreless. Phillips went 5 innings and left the mound with the loss hovering over his head after giving up 2 runs with 3 walks & 3 strike outs.

Dominic Ramos extended his consecutive game hitting streak when he hit a lead-off triple in the 1st inning, his 5th of the season...and league leading...and eventually scored on an Ofilio Castro ground out.

Bubba Bell extended his consecutive game hit streak by hitting a single in the 3rd inning.

Josh Pressley also extended his consecutive game hit streak with a single in the 4th inning.

Ryan McKeller came in for Phillips in the 6th inning and gave up a triple to Casey Benjamin...now tied with Dominic Ramos for the most triples in the league...but retired the side scoreless.

Josh Pressley reached base for the 3rd time with his 2nd single of the game in the 6th inning.

New Skeeters pitcher Jeff Farnsworth came in to relieve McKeller in the 7th inning. Farnsworth comes to Sugar Land from the Camden Riversharks (0-2, 6.46 ERA in 21 games). He allowed 1 hit before retiring the side.

In the 7th inning, Dominic Ramos got his 2nd hit of the game with a 2-out single, moving Iggy Suarez (walk) to 3rd...but both runners were stranded.

Roberto "The Undertaker" Giron came in to pitch the top of the 8th inning and retired the side, only allowing a single.

The 8th inning was an eventful one for the Skeeters and started with Bubba Bell hitting a lead off single, his 2nd hit of the game. Jason Lane reached base but was not awarded a hit because of an error by the short stop that allowed Bell to reach 2nd base safely then advance to 3rd on the error. Josh Pressley drove in Bubba Bell with a sac fly to center field...tying the game at 2-2 with just 1 out in the inning. Jason Lane was caught stealing 2nd base for the 2nd out & Gary Gaetti came out in a fury and was tossed for the first time in franchise history. Steve Moss extended his consecutive game hit streak with a single. Matt Hagen stepped up to the plate and slapped a single, moving Moss to 3rd base, and extending his consecutive game hit streak as well. Octavio Martinez ended the inning with a ground out to 3rd base. Game tied 2-2 headed into the 9th inning.

Gary Majewski came in to pitch the 9th inning becoming the 5th pitcher of the game for Sugar Land. Thanks to a double play, the Blue Crabs went 3 up & 3 down...3 outs left in the game for the Skeeters to pull the win out.

Iggy Suarez drew his 3rd walk of the night to start the 9th inning...but got thrown out trying to steal 2nd base. Dominic Ramos struck out and Ofilio Castro singled, extending his consecutive game hit streak. Bubba Bell stepped in and drew a walk. Jason Lane had the chance to become the hero of the night but struck out to end the inning...extra innings for the 4th time this season.

Jusef Frias, the 6th pitcher for the Skeeters, came in to pitch the 10th inning. He got back-to-back strike outs before giving up back-to-back 2-out walks before being pulled and replaced by Kelvin Villa, the 7th Skeeters pitcher of the game. With 2 inherited runners on base, Villa came out and gave up a double to Casey Benjamin, scoring the go-ahead run and Brian Barton was thrown out at home plate trying to score from 1st base to end the inning. The Skeeters now had 3 outs to get it done again...3-2 Blue Crabs. The Skeeters went 3 up & 3 down...Blue Crabs win 3-2 in 10 innings.

Even though they could not complete the comeback win, I have to give the MVP award to the entire team for scrapping it out. 

Hitting Streaks:

Bubba Bell (7)

Dominic Ramos (7)

Matt Hagen (6)

Josh Pressley (5)

Steve Moss (4)

Ofilio Castro (2)

The second game of the series is scheduled to start at 7:05pm local time with Jason Lane getting the start for Sugar Land.