Skeeters lose despite 4 home runs

The Skeeters split the first 2 games so a win was needed badly to stay on pace with the top 2 teams in the division. Ryan Houston (1-2, 9.31 ERA) was given the start by Gaetti and faced Virgil Vasquez (3-1, 4.30 ERA) for the Blue Crabs.

The Skeeters wasted no time in taking the lead as they posted 3 runs in the top of the 1st inning. Dominic Ramos doubled, Bubba Bell walked, and with 2 outs, Josh Pressley demolished the ball hitting a 3-run home run, his 4th HR of the season. On the same day you get the news that your top pitcher is heading to Philly...your pitching staff is questioned BIG time as Houston gives up 5 runs, on 2 hits & 2 walks...not able to record a single out before being relieved by Pedro Liriano (1-2, 3.28 ERA). The score was 3-5 after the 1st inning.

The bats stayed hot for the Skeeters in the top of the 2nd inning as they were able to get 2 runs to tie the game. Manuel Mejia had a lead-off home run, his 1st of the season, and Iggy Suarez scored from 3rd on a double steal pulled off with Bubba Bell. Liriano shut the Blue Crabs bats down helping them go 3 up & 3 down in the 2nd inning.

The top of the 3rd inning saw the Skeeters continue to tattoo the ball as Josh Pressley hit a lead-off HR, his 2nd HR of the game & 5th HR of the season...followed by Matt Hagen hitting a HR, his 1st of the season. The Skeeters take the lead 7-5. Liriano, despite giving up a single, again had the Blue Crabs go 3 up & 3 down thanks to a 6-4-3 double play.

The Skeeters were held scoreless for the 1st inning this game in the top of the 4th inning, facing Jared Locke (0-0, 5.91 ERA). Kelvin Villa (0-0, 2.25 ERA) came in for Liriano and gave up 1 run on 1 hit and hit a batter with a pitch. The score was 7-6 after 4 innings. 

For the 1st time in the game, the Skeeters went 3 up & 3 down...hitting into an inning ending 6-4-3 double play in the top of the 5th inning. Villa came back out and immediately got into trouble giving up a lead-off single to Matt Padgett. The next batter, Richard Mercado, absolutely blasted a 2-run HR, completely out of the park and over the clubhouse in left field. The score was 7-8, Skeeters trail for the second time this game.

To this point, the box score was incredible looking. The Skeeters had 7 runs on 10 hits & 2 errors. The Blue Crabs had 8 runs, on 8 hits & 0 errors. There was a combine 5 HR's already hit in the game...4 for the Skeeters & 1 for the Blue Crabs. This numbers are usually the combined numbers for 2 games!!

In the top of the 6th inning, the Skeeters bats have gone silent as they go 3 up & 3 down...the 2nd inning in a row. Will Startup (3-1, 1.42 ERA) came in for Villa in the bottom of the 6th inning. Mike Daniel singled to RF...and unbelievably, scored from 1st base on a slow-roller to 3rd when Matt Hagen wildly threw to an uncovered 3rd base...the 3rd error of the game for the Skeeters. The side was retired but the new score was 7-9...Blue Crabs lead.

Despite a single by Matt Hagen, the Skeeters went 3 up & 3 down in the top of the 7th inning as he was thrown out at 2nd trying to leg-out a double. This was the 3rd inning in a row for the Skeeters to go down in order. Josh Pressley ended his perfect night by striking out in the inning. Startup calmed down and retired the side in order. The score remained 7-9...Blue Crabs lead.

The Skeeters faced the 5th pitcher of the game for the Blue Crabs...Eduardo Morlan (1-1, 0.47 ERA)...but it is the same ol' song...3 up & 3 down for the 4th inning in a row. They have just 3 outs to get it done with the top of the order! The Skeeters send out their 5th pitcher when Eric Krebs (1-0, 1.93 ERA) takes the mound. The Blue Crabs go 3 up & 3 down...keeping the score 7-9 headed to the top of the 9th inning.

Jim Ed Warden became the 6th pitcher the Skeeters faced in the 9 inning game and gave up a lead-off single to Dominic Ramos and walked Bubba Bell. Drew Locke then hit into a 5-4-3 double play, advancing Ramos to 3rd with 2 outs...but Castro grounded out to 1st base to end the game. The Skeeters lose 7-9 to the Blue Crabs.

The loss drops the record to 17-22...now 6 games behind 1st place Lancaster and 2.5 games behind York for 2nd place.

Hitting Streaks:

Dominic Ramos (7)

Matt Hagen (5)

Josh Pressley (4)

Drew Locke (3)

Iggy Suarez (3)

Manuel Mejia (2)

Home Runs:

Josh Pressley (4, 5)

Manuel Mejia (1)

Matt Hagen (1)

The Skeeters have a day off, after they travel home, on Thursday before starting a 6-game home stand against the Somerset Patriots.