In Which Southern Maryland Makes Me Think All Those John Waters Movies Were Actually Documentaries...

With the Atlantic League season almost at an end, and our beloved Riversharks languishing in the sub-basement of the Liberty Division (still 6.5 games up on the woeful Long Island Ducks, who were, you'll remember, you first half Liberty Division winners) I've stopped paying so much attention to standings and recaps and stats, and started enjoying the more...esoteric details of this team and the game they play.

Earlier this week, I traveled to Waldorf, Maryland to see our boys take on the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs in what was thought to be a crucial four game series. If the 'Sharks could win 3 of 4, or maybe sweep, they'd make up some serious ground on the first place 'Crabs, and at least make September interesting.

They didn't win.

Well, they one one game. On Thursday.

Kevin Reese pitched an absolute gem. He threw seven and two-thirds innings, giving up one run on four measly hits. He struck out seven. And, miracle of miracles, the bullpen held up it's end, one-hitting the 'Crabs the rest of the way. 'Sharks win in 10 innings 3-1.

But the victory wasn't the best part of Thursday night, for me. The best part of Thursday night was watching Alvin Colina play the role of World's Greatest Wingman for the 'Sharks clubby.

The 'Crabs have a few female 'street teamers' that help with the on field promotions between innings. Two of these girls, a blonde and brunette, made their way down to the railing beside the visitors dugout, apparently to hassle the batboy.

Alvin was in the hole, and caught the brunette's attention. Hey, are you single? There's a guy that works with us, and he'd like to get to know you. Why don't you come down after the game? C'mon, he's a good guy!

Now, I'm secure enough in my masculinity to admit: Alvin Colina is a handsome, well built, professional athlete. Made it to the Show. Talks a good game.

So these girls had no chance.

After some hemming and hawing on their part, I do believe the deal, as they say, was sealed. Or at least numbers exchanged. I also believe clubby owes him a beer, cause that might have been the greatest case of wingmanitude I've ever personally witnessed.

GORECKI, YOUNG FORGET THERE'S NO CRYING IN BASEBALL

Look, I don't know the specifics of the trade that brought former Long Island Ducks OF Reid Gorecki over to Camden, but I do know this: he ain't too happy about being here. Check his tweet from yesterday:

Clearly something's amiss. Either he said something he shouldn't have to the wrong person, or someone in the Ducks organization had it in for him. Or who knows what.

But his gripe turns quickly to sour grapes, as evidenced in his tweet earlier today:

Ahh, Reid, in the words of Ed Lover, "C'mon, Son!!" There's no crying! There's no crying in baseball!!

So, Gorecki and Young have apparently not endeared themselves to everyone in the clubhouse. Good thing the season's almost over, they've got a lot of down time coming to sulk. 

The SharkTank Redemption

Ricky Brooks threw eight shutout innings to lead the Camden Riversharks over the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, 7-0, in the third game of a four-game set at Campbell’s Field Saturday night. 

Brooks (5-1) gave up just three hits and a couple of walks while striking out four in his eight innings of work; Spencer Steedley threw a scoreless ninth to preserve the shutout. 

The Riversharks (29-32) offense gave Brooks some runs in the first inning. Chris Walker and Brian Burgamy each walked and with two outs, Eduardo Perez drove them home with a double to right center. 

Deinys Suarez (3-3) settled down after that, keeping the Sharks scoreless over the next 5.2 innings. 


That was, until Walker unloaded his second home run of the series, doubling the lead to 4-0 and chasing Suarez from the game. Perez continued his hot hitting with a three-run blast of his own in the eighth. Perez finished the day 3-for-4 with a run scored and five RBIs. 

McGuire One Hits 'Crabs, Goes Seven Scoreless, Finally Catches A Break

Mike McGuire tossed seven scoreless innings, struck out six and allowed just one hit tonight as the Camden Riversharks shutout the Southern Maryland Bluecrabs 6-0 at Campbell's Field.

McGuire had a no hitter going through seven, until with one out, Matt Padgett hit a ground ball that just got through the infield.

The 'Sharks offense erupted with eleven hits tonight. Chris Walker and Eduardo Perez combined to go 7 for 8 at the dish, with Walker collecting a home run in the sixth that put the 'Sharks up 6-0.

Zach Hammes and Josh Walter each threw a scoreless inning in relief of McGuire.

This is the third time in 2012 McGuire has gone seven innings, but those others starts ended in a loss and a no decision.

Mike McGuire Can't Catch A Break, Pt. II

A RiverSharks Haiku

Eleven strikeouts
Aren't enough to stop the 'Crabs
Next time buy that comb.

Matera's Offense Propels Sharks Past Crabs

Paddy Matera hit his second home run in as many nights to help the Camden Riversharks beat the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, 8-4, at Regency Furniture Stadium Saturday night.

For the second straight night the Sharks (9-13) jumped out to a first inning lead. Camden loaded the bases and a one-out error by catcher Richard Mercado allowed two runs to score.

Jake Eigsti doubled to right in the third to score Brian Burgamy and add another run. Then the Sharks blew things open in the fourth with a five-spot, including a three-run home run from Matera. Matera had no home runs in his eight games played before this series; he has two in two games against Southern Maryland.

Kevin Reese (1-0) made his first start of the season for Camden and held The Blue Crabs (11-11) scoreless through the first three innings. That changed with two outs in the fourth, when Richard Giannotti hit a three-run blast of his own.

Javier Colina added a solo shot in the sixth to chase Reese from the game. Reese went 5.1 innings, allowing the four runs on five hits. He had been the long reliever for the Riversharks early in the season and made a spot start in place of the injured Humberto Sanchez.

Reese gave way to Mariano Gomez, who got two strike outs while allowing a hit in his brief appearance. Since giving up four earned runs without recording an out against Lancaster on May 9, Gomez has made four appearances and allowed no runs on two hits in 5.1 innings of work.

The Riversharks bullpen flexed their muscle against their Liberty Division rival Saturday. They went a combined 3.2 scoreless innings, giving up three hits and striking out eight to preserve the win.

The win snaps a two-game losing streak for the Sharks and ends Southern Maryland’s win streak at four games. Camden will look to take the series Sunday and move within a game of crawling out of the cellar of the Liberty Division.

Sharks/BlueCrabs Rained Out