The Dirty Birds weren’t letting the Blue Crabs pinch a win.
Up by nine runs entering the top of the ninth inning at GoMart Ballpark on Thursday night, ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä issued five walks to force in two runs and keep the bases loaded for Southern Maryland’s No. 3 hitter.
The Dirty Birds made a pitching change at that point for Brendan Medoro, who promptly got a fielder’s choice from the Blue Crabs’ Ethan Wilson to finalize a 10-3 ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä victory.
James Nelson and Travis Demeritte each went 3 for 5 for the Dirty Birds (9-12 second half, 39-45 overall). Keon Barnum and Benjamin Blackwell each had two hits and two RBIs. Barnum and Joe DeLuca both hit long balls.
Nelson, DeLuca and Alan Alonso tallied two runs apiece.
Anthony Diaz got the win, scattering four hits and one earned run over six frames, with four walks and three punchouts.
The teams combined to issue 17 walks, with ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä’s Frank Moscatiello handing out five of them in a span of seven batters in the top of the ninth before being relieved by Medoro.
Jalen Miller took the decision for Southern Maryland (9-11 second half, 45-38 overall). He allowed four runs, two earned, on eight hits in four innings. He fanned eight Dirty Birds and walked three.
ÂÒÂ×ÄÚÉä earned a series split with the win. It’s scheduled to open a set with York, a rematch of last year’s Atlantic League championship series won by the Revolution, on Friday night at home.
