The Humboldt Crabs dropped a series for the first time all year this weekend, as the Redding Colt .45s took two out of three games at the Arcata Ballpark.
The Colt 45's were able to sneak away with both the Friday night and the Sunday afternoon games, with the Crabs taking the middle game. Sunday's game was not considered a Far West League game because the Crabs are also playing in Redding later in July (where only the first two games will be league games again).
Game 1
On Friday night there was a pitcher's duel at the ballpark — with the exception of Redding's half of the third inning. Other than that frame, there was zero run production. But in that inning, the Colt .45s put enough hits together to seal their victory.
There seemed no way to stop Redding's hitters in the third. The .45s had three consecutive singles, followed by an error by the third baseman, a sac fly, a double, and another pair of singles to go up by six early. The Crabs were able to stop the bleeding, but were incapable of putting runs on the board against the pitching of Redding.
For Humboldt, Drew Bradshaw took the loss on the mound. Bradshaw gave up all six runs on eight hits with no walks and a single strikeout in three and one-third innings. The win was picked up by David Hearne, who went five innings.
The Crabs were unable to put much together at the plate or on the basepaths, as they were shut out for the first time all season. Offensively the Crabs were led by Caleb Wood. Wood went 2-for-4 with a strikeout and two stolen bases.
Final score: Redding 6, Crabs 0
Game 2
On Saturday the Crabs found a way to get to the .45s pitchers early and chip away for an eventual victory. It seemed very much like the roles of the two teams had been reversed from the previous day.
The Crabs got on the board in the 2nd and 4th innings via a pair of long-balls by Sergio Sanchez. Both massive blasts were no-doubters off of the bat. Sanchez's first solo bomb went deep over the center field fence while the second was slammed over the left field fence and onto Highway 101. Both Sanchez home runs were lead-off solo shots. Sanchez went 3-for-3 with two homers, a walk and two RBIs.
The winning pitcher for the Crabs was Chad Hodges. Hodges went six innings allowing one run on six hits allowing one run on six hits with a walk and 10 strikeouts. Luckily for Humboldt, Hodges continues to be the best pitcher this season and collected a much-needed victory.
Final score: Crabs 5, Redding 1
Game 3
Sunday's game didn't count as a league game but was fought hard just the same. The Crabs could do little against Redding's pitcher Jacob Doyle, who struck out many with his wide array of off-speed pitches that kept the Crabs off-balance throughout his time on the mound.
One of the only bright spots for the Crabs at the plate was Clay Cederquist's solo jack over the right field fence. Cederquist hadn't done a lot up to this point at the plate, but he gave Humboldt a bit of momentumn.
The losing pitcher for the Crabs was Johnny Melero. Melero did alright on the mound but gave up quite a bit of offense before he exited the game. Melero went five innings surrendering three runs on nine hits with one walk and four strikeouts.
The winning pitcher, Doyle, went seven and one-third innings surrendering only one run on five hits with only a single walk and six strikeouts.
Final score: Redding 5, Crabs 2
The Crabs play the Solano Mudcats next in a three-game series. The Wednesday doubleheader will be a pair of 7-inning games starting at 5:30 p.m., and Thursday is the Fourth of July, with a midday game at 12:30.