Crabs, A’s split doubleheader

By Ray Hamill

ARCATA (June 13) — The Humboldt Crabs had to withstand a late rally in the opening game of a doubleheader with long-time rivals the Fontanetti A’s Saturday night, before holding on for an 8-7 win and avenging a Friday night loss to the same club.

The A’s, however, battled back in the nightcap, scoring three runs in the top of the first on the way to a 4-3 win. The two clubs close out the weekend series Sunday afternoon at 12:30.

Trailing by seven runs in the opening game Saturday, the visitors scored six times on seven hits in the seventh inning to make for an exciting finish, before Crabs closer Chris DeBoo forced Derek Luque into a ground out for the final out of the game and his second save of the season.

The late rally didn’t take from an excellent pitching performance from Crabs starter John Austin, who allowed just two hits through the opening six innings before tiring late in the game

“John came out and did a great job for us,” said Crabs manager Matt Nutter. “Maybe he ran out of gas a little at the end, but he did what we needed him to do.”

Austin, making his Crabs debut, improved to 1-0 while giving up seven runs on seven hits, walking four and striking out eight.

At the plate for the Crabs, second baseman Karson Klauer out of San Jose State, finished 2-for-4, while Jeff Giacomini, in his third season with the team, blasted a two-RBI double in the opening inning as the Crabs took an early lead.

Designated hitter Tommy Pavesi drove in a third run on a sacrifice fly in the opening inning and added a single in the bottom of the sixth to kick-start a four-run inning that would prove crucial. Brad Morgan followed with a single, before Nick Hom walked to load the bases with one out. A pair of untimely errors drove in back-to-back runs to give the Crabs a 6-1 lead, before Nick Melino was hit by a pitch for the second time in four at-bats to score another run and Logan Lotto was walked for an 8-1 lead. Melino added a double in the sixth inning before scoring moments later from third on a wild pitch.

Cameron Ray got the start on the mound for the Crabs in the nightcap, allowing six runs in six innings while walking two and striking out five. The fast start, however, would prove to be enough for the visitors, who kept the Crabs bats at bay for much of the game, giving up just five hits, two to Hom.

“In the first inning we didn’t come out with much intensity,” said Nutter. “We’ve got to come out quicker than that, and that’s what we told the players.”

Defensively, Pavesi made the play of the game in right field, making a diving catch in foul territory for the final out of the fifth inning. Crabs catcher JJ Ethel also made a spectacular play in the top of the sixth, throwing to second to easily prevent an A’s runner stealing a base.