Starter Kenny Rayborn pitched six shutout innings as the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs handled the Lancaster Barnstormers, 8-0 in an Atlantic League game in Waldorf, Md. Saturday.
Related Topics
Related Stories
The Barnstormers (28-30) had their best shot at this one early, as they stranded seven baserunners against Rayborn in the second, thrird and fourth innings.
Southern Maryland (35-23) took the lead in the second inning with a single by Octavio Martinez to score Jeremy Owens from third. That was the only run the Blue Crabs' pitching staff needed, pitching an 8-0 shutout.
In the fifth inning, the Blue Crabs expanded the lead to three runs. John Ramistella led off the inning with a single and Mike Just reached base on a fielder's choice error.
Travis Garcia hit a ground-rule double to score Ramistella from second, and Just scored on a ground ball.
Rayborn (5-4) picked up the win, finishing with no runs allowed on 5 hits and 3 walks, while striking out 3.
The Blue Crabs added another run in the seventh inning, ending the night for Lancaster starter Eric Ackerman.
Ackerman (2-5) picked up the loss, allowing 4 runs on 7 hits and 2 walks in six-and-a-third innings.
The Crabs broke it open late against the Lancaster bullpen. In the eighth inning, Ramistella hit a bases clearing double and later scored on a Just sacrifice fly to expand the lead to eight runs.
The Barnstormers had six hits, two apiece by Lloyd Turner and Gerard Haran.
The Blue Crabs are nearing a first-half division title in their second year of existance. With its win and Long Island's loss to Camden Saturday, Southern Maryland has a five-game lead in the AL's Liberty Division.
The final game of the series is today at 2:05 p.m. Jason Scobie (3-3, 8.04) will get the pitching sart for the Barnstormers against Ryan Bicondoa (5-2, 3.53).
(719)
