(Breaking news) Blue Crabs play deciding Game 5 of division series on the road

Long Island shells out 15 runs, 20 hits in lopsided Sunday win to even series

Monday, Sept. 28, 2009

The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs were in control of their best-of-five Atlantic League divisional series against Long Island through Games 1 and 2, just one win away from advancing to the championship round.

But now, since the series has moved to Long Island, the Blue Crabs also find themselves just one loss away from being eliminated and absorbing a premature end to a year with championship ambitions.

The Blue Crabs were edged in Game 3 by a 7-4 outcome at Long Island on Saturday, and the road woes only worsened for them Sunday night in a 15-5 shellacking in Game 4.

Long Island thus evened the series to force an all-deciding Game 5 at 6:35 p.m. Tuesday.

Though the Blue Crabs entered the series as the Liberty Division champion in both halves of the season, they are not hosting the do-or-die final game of the series. That privilege belongs to Long Island – a wild card entry into the postseason – under the current league playoff format.

"The first loss [in the series] was a tough loss," Blue Crabs manager Butch Hobson said about Saturday's contest that saw his club own a 4-3 lead through 7 1/2 innings before Long Island struck for a four-run eighth to seal the comeback victory, plating the go-ahead three runs with two outs. "We just didn't execute defensively on a couple of sacrifice bunts [in the eighth]. They were more mental mistakes."

About the Blue Crabs' Game 4 drubbing that featured a five-run first and fourth for Long Island while pounding out 20 hits, Hobson added, "We didn't pitch well. They outhit us badly. We've got to hit. We're not hitting. We haven't hit the whole series."

Long Island had lost nine straight playoff games dating back to 2005 before finally getting the monkey off its back Saturday. Ironically, Long Island's last playoff victory came against Hobson when he was managing the Nashua Pride, no longer in the league.

The Blue Crabs have since joined Long Island on the ropes in the series, as both are jockeying to gain berth into the best-of-five championship series where Somerset now awaits. The championship series begins Thursday.

Looking to repeat as reigning champion, Somerset disposed of Newark in the other divisional series in four games.

Somerset and the Blue Crabs, which boasted the best overall records during the regular season, separated themselves as the league's best and have been favorites to reach the final round of the playoffs.

But the Blue Crabs still have to do their part.

"No, I don't think anybody is feeling shaky," Hobson said about the Blue Crabs being unable to eliminate Long Island after taking a 2-0 lead in the series. "They're still facing elimination just like we are. We're both on an even playing field. The only difference is they're on their homefield [for Game 5] and we're not in front of our home crowd."

The Blue Crabs manager would not comment further on the league's playoff format, which has his club playing the pivotal Game 5 on the road though it hosted Games 1 and 2 in what would seem to be a homefield advantage status.

The last time Hobson managed in the playoffs the divisional round was a best-of-three format, so the team that hosted Games 1 and 2 actually owned homefield advantage.

Blue Crabs starting pitcher John Halama promises to neutralize Long Island's hosting rights in Game 5. Halama returned from Atlanta Braves Triple-A affiliate Gwinnett in time for the Blue Crabs' playoff run and tossed a Game 1 gem against Long Island to begin the series.

"We're all excited to have John Halama going in this game," Hobson said during the morning of Monday's off day in the series, gearing up for the elimination contest. "He's had a great year, he's a great pitcher. We like our chances with him going out there on the mound. He knows how to pitch, and players like playing defense behind him.

"We plan on winning tomorrow night and moving on to face Somerset."

A three-run homer by Cesar Nicolas highlighted a four-run fourth for the Blue Crabs on Sunday and had them back in the game, trailing by only a run, after starter Ryan Bicondoa was rocked for five Long Island runs in the first.

No sooner had the Blue Crabs fought back into contention did Long Island respond with five more runs in the bottom of the fourth to extend its lead to an insurmountable 10-4 command.

Bicondoa only lasted three-plus innings, yielding eight runs – seven earned – on nine hits with four walks and two strikeouts.

"Last night is over with – 30 minutes after the game, I forgot about it," Hobson said, the unsatisfied tone in his voice seemingly saying otherwise. "Now, it's on to prepare for tomorrow's Game 5."

John Ramistella and Travis Garcia spearheaded the Blue Crabs offense during the Game 3 and 4 setbacks, putting up identical numbers in both games. They were each 2 for 5 Saturday with two runs scored and an RBI. Sunday, they each went 2 for 5 again while crossing the plate once.

dcogle@somdnews.com