Big Innings lift Surly Nausicans to series win

Two big innings and two complete-game pitching performaces propelled the Surly Nausicans to a series victory over the homestanding Harrison Cougars on Wednesday night.

The recaps:

Game 1: Surly Nausicans 11, Harrison Cougars 4

Surly's seven-run eighth inning broke a 4-4 deadlock as the Nausicans captured the season opener. The big inning was highlighted by a two-run single by No. 8 hitter CoCo Crisp and a two-run double from No. 9 batter Julio Lugo. David Ortiz went yard in his first at-bat to start the scoring, but Harrison rallied to a 4-2 lead before Surly's Kevin Millar tied it with a 2-run double in the sixth. Fausto Carmona pitched a complete game six-hitter to outduel the hard-luck A.J. Burnett, who was charged with eight runs despite a relatively solid start.

Game 2: Surly Nausicans 16, Harrison Cougars 0

An eight-run fourth inning staked Surly's Josh Beckett to a 10-0 lead, and he cruised to a complete-game shutout despite scattering nine hits and four walks. Millar's grand slam and Victor Martinez's two-run double highlighted the big inning. CoCo Crisp went 4-for-5 and four other Nausicans each recorded three of Surly's 21 hits against James Shields and Chad Durbin. Alex Rios and Aaron Hill went deep for Surly.

Game 3: Harrison Cougars 7, Surly Nausicans 5

The Cougars surived a Nausican rally to get into the win column in the finale. Magglio Ordonez, using his incredible split-card against lefty Andy Pettitte, doubled and singled home runs and Jonny Gomes added two run-scoring doubles as the Cougars put up five runs in the fifth and sixth innings to grab a 6-1 lead. Surly responded by scoring four in the seventh, the last three on Alex Rios' second bomb of the season. But Harrison got a cheap insurance run when Crisp (2E1) misplayed Ordonez' line drive into run-scoring double in the eighth, and Rafael Perez slammed the door with three strikeouts in the ninth, his second inning of work.

Next up

Long Ball Larry (0-0) at Surly Nausicans (2-1)
Finer Things Club (2-1) at Harrison Cougars (1-2)