(June 7, 2017 – Waldorf, Md.): The York Revolution continuously threatened on a night that saw them rap out 11 total hits, but were turned away time and again, falling to the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs 3-1 on Wednesday evening at Regency Furniture Stadium.
The Revs tallied base hits in seven of nine innings, including multiple hits in four separate innings, but stranded 11 runners and went 0-for-11 with runners in scoring position on the night.
Things swung in Southern Maryland’s favor early. York built an opportunity in the top of the second as Isaias Tejeda and Joel Guzman led off with singles. Crabs starter Brian Grening retired the next two hitters, but Carlos Triunfel slammed a line drive to deep center that appeared destined to spot York an early lead. Center fielder Cory Vaughn made an outstanding running grab, however, keeping the game scoreless.
Revs right fielder Jared Mitchell nearly returned the favor by saving a run in the bottom of the second, but was unable to hang on to a deep drive in right as he crashed into the fence, as a triple by Patrick Palmeiro put Southern Maryland on top 1-0.
York loaded the bases with one out in the third, but Grening induced an inning-ending 4-6-3 double play off the bat of Tejeda after falling behind him in a 3-1 count.
The Revs missed another golden opportunity in the sixth when Michael Burgess singled and Tejeda ripped a ground rule double that bounced through the manual scoreboard in left, putting runners at second and third with no outs. Grening rebounded to retire the next three batters, keeping his team in front 1-0.
Luis Alen extended the Southern Maryland lead in the sixth with a two-out RBI double off the wall in left on a fly ball just out of the reach of a leaping Derrick Robinson. Palmeiro then added an RBI single to left-center, as the Blue Crabs went ahead 3-0.
York broke up the shutout in the seventh. Travis Witherspoon worked a one-out walk and Alonzo Harris singled to put runners at the corners. After a pitching change, Harris stole second, and Angel Franco brought home Witherspoon with a ground out.
York threatened again in the eighth with one-out singles from Guzman and Mitchell, but reliever Zack Thornton stranded both. Cody Eppley finished the Southern Maryland win with a 1-2-3 ninth for his 13th save.
Grening (3-1) picked up the win, limiting York to one run in 6.1 innings despite allowing nine hits.
Revs starter Frank Gailey (5-4) posted a quality start, but suffered the loss with three runs allowed on just five hits in six innings. The lefty struck out six batters.
Joe Van Meter and Hawtin Buchanan each hurled scoreless innings out of the Revolution bullpen to keep the game close.
Notes: Witherspoon went 2-for-4 and has now hit safely in 13 of his last 14 games, batting .418 (23-for-55); he has eight multi-hit games on that stretch and has also hit safely in six consecutive games. The Revs have dropped three straight, with their three losses coming by a combined four runs. They have out-hit their opponent in two of the three games, including out-hitting Southern Maryland 11-7 in Wednesday’s game. York righty Victor Mateo (1-4, 3.73) will start Thursday’s series finale against Southern Maryland right-hander Gaby Hernandez (3-0, 2.57) with first pitch at 6:35 p.m. Revs fans can catch the action live on SportsRadio 1350, woyk1350.com, and on the WOYK app beginning at 6:15 p.m. with Darrell Henry and Matt Present on the call.
