James Tallies Three Total Hits In The Twin-Bill

(Waldorf MD, – June 10, 2019) – The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (15-30) took both games of a single-admission doubleheader over the New Britain Bees (22-21) at Regency Furniture Stadium on Monday night, winning game one by the score of 4-0 while coming away victorious in the nightcap 3-2 as both contests lasted seven innings of play.

In game one, New Britain starting pitcher Rainy Lara (4-3) suffered the complete-game loss, surrendering four runs on eight hits (three home runs) in six innings pitched, walking four and striking out three. Southern Maryland starting pitcher Brandon Cumpton (2-5) also went the distance en route to the win by tossing seven scoreless innings on four hits allowed, walking one and striking out eight.

Southern Maryland jumped out in front 1-0 in the bottom half of the second inning when Cory Vaughn launched a leadoff solo home run to left field versus Lara, giving the home team an early advantage. With two out in the home half of the fifth, Rubi Silva made it 2-0 in favor of the Blue Crabs when he lifted a solo tater left, his fifth big fly of the campaign. Vaughn’s power display was at it once again in the bottom of the sixth as his second roundtripper of the evening gave the game its final score of 4-0, Vaughn’s team-leading eighth four-bagger of the year. The rest was left up to Cumpton as he erased 12 of the final 14 batters he faced. Alexi Amarista, Ozzie Martinez, Alejandro De Aza, Jared James each had one of the four hits overall for New Britain.

In game two, New Britain starting pitcher Devin Burke (0-1) was tagged with the loss, allowing one run on two hits in three innings on the mound, walking and striking out one. Southern Maryland starting pitcher Michael Kelly (2-3) earned the win after giving up two runs on five hits in five innings overall, walking four while striking out three and tossing a wild pitch. Mat Latos fired a clean top half of the seventh inning with one strikeout in the process to notch his team-best fifth save overall.

The Blue Crabs took a 1-0 lead versus Burke in the bottom half of the third frame thanks to a sacrifice fly off the bat of Kent Blackstone that allowed Jon Griffin to cross the plate after he reached by way of a leadoff single. Trailing 3-0, New Britain got to within 3-2 in the top of the fifth as Martinez cracked a two-out- two-run double to left centerfield that plated Tyler Clark and Darren Ford after Clark singled and Ford drew a free pass. The visitors would not get any closer in the nightcap as the relief duo of James Dykstra and Latos retired six of the seven combined batters faced. James led the way for New Britain with a pair of hits. Photo provided courtesy of Joe Doll.

The Bees return to New Britain Stadium on Tuesday, June 18^th when they host the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs to begin a three-game midweek series and six-game homestand. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 P.M. It will be another Two-fer Tuesday in the Hardware City, as fans will have the opportunity to buy one ticket, and get one FREE when purchasing online, over the phone, or at the Bees Ticket Office! CLICK HERE for tickets.

About the New Britain Bees

The New Britain Bees are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at New Britain Stadium. For information on ticket packages, group outings and sponsorships call 860-826-BEES (2337) or visit NBBees.com.

About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)

With eight teams in the Mid-Atlantic and Texas, the ALPB is a leader in baseball innovation and a player gateway to Major League Baseball. Through its exclusive partnership with MLB, the Atlantic League tests Major League Baseball rules and equipment initiatives. The Atlantic League has sent over 900 players to MLB organizations while drawing more than 40 million fans to its affordable, family-friendly ballparks throughout its 22-year history.  For more information, please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.

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