First Place Teams Split the Double Header

The two first place teams in the league split tonight's double-header. The Blue Crabs took the first game 4-2 and the Patriots were victorious in the second game 4-1 which only went 5 innings. The second game was played in a steady rain that didn't really pick up until the 5th inning and would result in the game being called early.

Blue Crabs starter Joe Gannon went 5 innings for the win bringing his record to 4-5. He surrendered 5 hits and 2 runs only one which was earned; he walked 1 batter and struck out 2. Lefty Matt Schweitzer pitcher 2/3rd of an inning of relief. He got Patriots first baseman Josh Pressley to hit into a double play. Righty Matt Hensley would then come in to get the final out of the inning. Closer Jim Ed Warden would pitch the 7th and get his 13th save of the season. He gave up one hit.

Our offense came off an interesting play and some timely hits. John Ramistella led off with a double and would advance to third on a sacrifice bunt by Jermy Acey. Patrick Osborn would single and bring John home for the first run. Eric Crozier would single and advance Patrick to second, but then get out on a fielder choice hit into by Travis Garcia. Travis who went hitless in first game would get an RBI on the play but would break his 17 game hit streak. The next two runs were scored both by James Shanks and the runs were both batted in by batters who in turn would end up stranded on third. In the 4th it was Ramistella for the Game winning RBI, and in the 6th it was Mike Just for his only hit of the double header.

In the second game of the double header we played through rain that seemed to affect the Blue Crab hitters more then the Patriot hitters. We were able to only score one run coming off the bat of Travis Garcia. He had a solo shot homerun in his first at bat. The start of his new hit streak hopefully. Eric Crozier was given the night off so Patrick played at first, but however he would come out of the game in the 5th inning and Eric would play 1st in the unrecorded 6th inning.

Kenny Rayborn pitched the entire game taking the loss bringing his record to 3-3. He surrendered 9 hits, giving up 4 runs all earned striking out 1 and giving up one homerun.

In other Blue Crabs News: We remain in first place 4.0 games ahead of Camden, 5.0 games ahead of Long Island, 8.5 games ahead of Bridgeport. There are roughly 25 games left before the end of the first half. We don't see Long Island again until after the first half is over but we do have a 4 game series against Camden at home. Also missing at the game tonight were bullpen catcher Anthony Perry and outfielder Daisuke Yoshida who after being deactivated from the roster have both gone home. Anthony is playing in a summer league in his hometown and is expected to return sometime in August.