The Blue Crabs defeated the Long Island Ducks Friday night in game two of the Atlantic League Division Series at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, taking a 2-0 series lead in the best-of-five.

The Blue Crabs bats showed up in a big way after a three-hit night in game one and used 12 hits to defeat the Ducks 5-4. The Blue Crabs jumped out to a 5-0 lead after a three run second inning and two runs in the fifth inning. After a pair of singles, John Ramistella broke the scoreless tie in the second with an RBI single to score Jeremy Owens. James Shanks then smashed a two-RBI triple that scored Octavio Martinez and Ramistella. In the fifth inning, Owens picked up an RBI on a single scoring Michael Tucker. Shanks added a third RBI later in the inning on a single as well. Right-hander Jarrett Grube got the start for the Blue Crabs and had a John Halama-like performance in the victory. Grube picked up the win and finished with 5.1 innings pitched, allowing three hits and two runs with eight strikeouts. Righty Ken Ray started for the Long Island Ducks but struggled to keep the Crabs off the bases. Ray tossed four innings, giving up nine hits and five runs in the losing effort.

The Ducks generated some offensive momentum in the sixth inning when Matt Cavagnaro broke Long Island’s playoff scoreless streak that lasted 14 and a third innings with a solo home run to right field. The Ducks managed three more runs, including one in the ninth, but failed to catch up with the Crabs. Mac Suzuki picked up his second playoff save in as many games for Southern Maryland.

The Blue Crabs will next be in action Saturday evening at Citibank Park in Central Islip, New York for Game 3 of the series against the Long Island Ducks. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.. The probable starters are LHP Keith Ramsey (5-4, 5.42) for the Blue Crabs, and LHP Randy Leek (11-10, 4.31) for the Ducks.