L.I. DUCKS ~ Burrying Blue Crabs In The Sand

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE



Long Island Ducks:  Sink South Maryland Blue Crabs Deeper Into The Standings.


Another game, another winning ninth inning nail biter.  Meh..., it's all becoming rather routine for the Ducks these days.  Especially when you're the ones doing the late inning winning.


After a tremendously well pitched 1-1 duel, the ninth inning would decide everything.  Two runs for the Ducks in the top of the inning and only one run for the Blue Crabs in the bottom of the home ninth, means the Long Islanders are now firmly atop the Liberty Division after sinking South Maryland to six full games behind first.


Mike Parisi continued his co-starring role as part of the Mike and Mike (Loree) Show.  An error by third baseman Matt Padgett resulted in an unearned run in what was the only mar on Parisi's stellar line.  He pitched six full innings; allowing six hits; no walks; while striking out eight Crabs.  He got a no-decision but his five wins still makes him sixth best in the League.  Mike Loree is number one with eight.  Mike Parisi lowered his season ERA to 3.11 which is fourth best in the League.  And with eight more strikeouts Saturday night, Mike Parisi tied his team-mate Mike Loree for the League lead with sixty-four apiece.


The bullpen was up to the task again.  Jeremy Hill took care of the seventh and eighth innings.  He allowed two hits and struck out three to keep the Ducks in this contest until they managed to score in the ninth.


That's when Bubbie Buzachero came in.  And he made things interesting.  Blue Crabs' lead-off batter Yunesky Sanchez greeted Buzachero with a triple.  Buzachero struck out the next batter.  Then Sanchez would score on a sac-fly to center field.  Bubbie took care of the last batter on three pitches for the Ducks win and Bubbie's eleventh Save of the season.


In the third inning, Ray Navarrete (single) scored from third on Matt Esquivel's single.  And after Maryland tied the game with a run in the fifth inning, they traded donuts till the ninth.


J.R. House and Freddie Thon led off the top of the ninth with back-to-back singles.  They both advanced on Kraig Binick's put out.  Kinnard Jones was intentionally walked to load the bases for Ray Navarrete who was hit by a pitch to move everyone up one base and the Ducks second run of the game, home.  With the bases still loaded, Freddie Thon scored when Javier Colina hit a sac-fly to center.


The Blue Crabs came up a run short during last-licks.  Final score; DUCKS 3;  BLUE CRABS 2.


The series finale is Sunday.



Mike.BTB