Waldorf, Maryland – A five-run seventh inning led the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (17-25, 56-56) to a 7-4 victory over the Somerset Patriots (20-22, 62-50) in Sunday’s series-finale at Regency Furniture Stadium.

Somerset opened the scoring for the third-straight game against Southern Maryland, taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth on a two-out RBI double from Mark Minicozzi.

The Blue Crabs leveled the score in the bottom of the fifth on Patrick Palmeiro’s RBI single. The tied game was short-lived, however, as the Patriots regained the lead in the next half-inning. An RBI single from Minicozzi and a two-out, two-run single from Justin Pacchioli provided Somerset a 4-1 lead.

The three-run lead held until the bottom of the seventh, when an Edwin Garcia bases-loaded walk and a Tucker Nathans (3) grand slam lifted Southern Maryland in front 6-4. The Blue Crabs added another run in the eighth on a run-scoring wild pitch to top off the scoring.

“When we have a 4-1 lead late in the game with the arms and talent we have, I would like to see us finish off those games,” said Somerset Patriots manager Brett Jodie after the game. “I don’t think it’s from a lack of effort at all, but we need to start seeing some better results as we get closer to the postseason.

Sam Runion (2-2) earned the win with a scoreless inning of relief. A.J. Achter (2-2) suffered the loss, allowing three runs over one inning of relief. Cody Apply (27) earned the save with a scoreless ninth inning. Neither starting pitcher factored into the decision.

The Patriots now travel over to York, Pennsylvania to open up a four-game series against the York Revolution. First pitch Monday night at PeoplesBank Park is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.

Tickets to the 2017 Somerset Patriots Season presented by Ford, which includes the team’s 20th Anniversary, are on sale now. For more information, stop by the ballpark, call (908) 252-0700, or visit www.somersetpatriots.com.

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