The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs achieved a franchise record home crowd for its second season opener but couldn't match the performance on the field, losing 7-4 to the Long Island Ducks.
Last season's Atlantic League top pitcher Joe Gannon had a short night, going only 4 1/3 innings, charged with 7 earned runs including two in the first inning off Ron Davenport and Johnny Hernandez hits. Southern Maryland rallied with runs in the fifth and eighth but couldn't make up a five run deficit.
The main bright spot for the Blue Crabs was the record crowd of 7,241 fans at Regency Furniture Stadium. Ultimately though, it will be the more routine games that will tell the tale of the attendance tape. Southern Maryland will host Long Island for three more games this weekend.
______________________Labels: minor league baseball, southern maryland blue crabs, sports
