by Kevin Wyart
Humboldt Crabs
June 5, 2016
Arcata, CA —After two nights of bludgeoning baseballs, scoring 25 runs in their first two games, the Crabs bats were comparatively silent on Sunday afternoon as they lost to the South Bay Sliders 7-3 at the Arcata Ball Park.
Sliders starting pitcher Charles Carr was outstanding all day, limiting the Crabs to three runs (two earned) on eight hits in 8 1/3 innings. He also struck out seven and walked four.
Ryan Sullivan was the starting pitcher for the Crabs Sunday, and went three innings allowing an earned run with two hits and two strikeouts without walking a batter, though he did hit two.
Sullivan was replaced by Ryan Ralstoon to begin the fourth inning, and though Ralston pitched well for four innings allowing only one hit, Crabs defensive miscues proved too difficult to overcome as the Sliders were able to score three unearned runs and tag him with the loss.
Kevin Calderhead pitched the 8th and 9th innings and allowed three earned runs on two hits, while striking out two and walking two.
The Sliders took their first lead of the series early on Sunday, scoring a run in the first inning. Jonathan Passillas singled with two outs, followed by Matt McGeah getting hit by a pitch.With a runner in scoring position, catcher Ritchie O’Reilly hit an RBI single to make the score 1-0.
The Crabs were able to tie things up in the second. Jayson Newman led off with a single, followed by a double by Michael Perri. After a Jacob Thurber groundout and an intentional walk to James Outman, Rightfielder Mason Telander hit an RBI groundout to first to bring in Newman.
The score would remain tied heading until the fifth inning when South Bay added two to the scoreboard. With one out, Sliders DH Cody Vienna hit a single, then Noah Barba walked to put runners on first and second. Jake Sahagien then hit a groundball to shortstop Brian Pozos, who threw home, but the throw was high and got away from catcher Jacob Thurber, allowing both runners to score.
The Crabs would answer in the bottom of the fifth inning with one run with an RBI single by Newt Johnson, scoring Austin White with two outs. This is the closest the Crabs would get for the remainder of the game. The Sliders would add a run each in the seventh and eighth innings, before putting the game out of reach with two runs in the ninth. The Crabs scored once in the bottom of the ninth for their third and final run of the game.
“[Carr] was tough all game,” White said after the game, “he really made it difficult for us to square around and make solid contact.
White was one of the few Crabs players to have success swinging the bat Sunday afternoon as he went 3-5 with two singles, a double, and two runs scored. Unfortunately for the Crabs, the rest of the lineup was thoroughly shut down.
“Our guys seemed a little tired out there today after hitting well all weekend,” Crabs manager Tyson Fisher said. “Their pitcher was on command and we had a difficult time adjusting.”
The Crabs pitching staff also performed well, but were hurt by Crabs defensive mistakes. Even with his pitchers throwing quality innings, he still didn’t have them in the game too long as a means of limiting the workload and getting other guys some time on the mound.
“That is something we’ll see throughout the summer.” Fisher said “ I want to spread the innings around to guys who need it, while at the same time not overworking anyone.”
The Crabs will have a day off on Monday, before resuming play on Tuesday evening vs the San Leandro Ports. Game time is at 7 p.m., with the gates opening at 6.
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