'Sharks Bullpen Blows It, Again.

The Sugarland Skeeters have completely owned the Camden Riversharks in 2012.

The Skeeters have compiled an unreal 12-5 record against Camden this year, and today's 5-3 win marks Sugarland's first series sweep in franchise history.

It started out as a nice little pitcher's duel, with the 'Sharks Kevin Reese going up against former MLBer Scott Kasmir. Both starters pitched fairly well, both gave up only a few runs in about five innings of work. But Kasmir had the better stuff, striking out seven and only allowing three hits. The game was tied 2-2 by the sixth.

Then, the bullpen. The goddamn bullpen.

I was chatting with the guy siting next to me in 108, about the goddamn bullpen. Zach Hammes had just relieved Reese with two outs in the top of the sixth. I recapped the 2012 Atlantic League All Star Game, and Hammes' unfortunate role in the Liberty Division's loss. He gave up a double to Aaron Bates as we were speaking. Guy next to me said, to my amusement, "Hm. So he's more of a...'contact' pitcher, huh?"

To be fair, Hammes got out of the sixth unscathed, and was replaced by the usually reliable Leo Rosales. Rosales cruised through the seventh, but the wheels fell off for him in the eighth inning, when the 'Skeeters staged an impressive two out rally. Josh Pressley doubled. Aaron Bates hit an RBI single. Steve Moss doubled, scoring Bates, and suddenly it was 4-2.

Camden got one run back in the bottom of the eighth, when Alvin Colina singled in Brian Burgamy. But John Lujan came apart in the top of the ninth, giving up a run on two hits, while walking two. The 'Sharks failed to rally, and were handed their fifth straight loss. They've gone from first in the division to 3.5 games out, kept out of last place only by the train wreck that is the Long Island Ducks second half.