L.I. DUCKS ~ In Search of Blue Crabs

From the desk of:  A BROOKLYN QUACK





Long Island Ducks:  Off To South Maryland For A Liberty Division Showdown With The 2nd Place Blue Crabs.

SPLIT TOUGH FOUR GAME SERIES WITH CAMDEN.

FINISH HOMESTAND 5-2.


The Liberty Division's last place club; the Camden River Sharks; came into Long Island Sound and bit at the Ducks throughout this four game series. 


After a ninth inning bloop, walk-off infield hit by Ray Navarrete won a tight game Tuesday, Wednesday night,  Long Island let a 6-0 lead get away....  Then blew a 7-4 lead in the ninth inning.  Only to lose it all in the fourteenth inning.


In the ninth inning of Wednesday night's game, Bubbie Buzachero sabotaged his own cause when he threw wide of first base with an errant pick-off throw , allowing a runner to score.  He gave up three runs in all, allowing Camden to tie the game in the course of blowing his first game of the season.


The Ducks played great defense in the extra innings to keep them alive until the fourteenth and final inning.  FINAL SCORE;  8-7  Camden over Long Island.


With Camden enjoying a two games to one series lead, the teams headed into Thursday night's game.
Camden's Eddy Camacho and Long Island's Shane Youman went at each other pitch for pitch over the first six innings of the game before Long Island made the game's first move to the bullpen.


In Youman's six innings of work, Shane allowed only three hits; no runs; walked one and struck out two.  In 5 games and 12.1 innings pitched this season, he has yet to yield a run.  Camden's Eddy Camacho kept the Ducks quiet for seven full innings.  Three hits and one walk were all he allowed while striking out three.


The winning pitcher of this game was Jeremy Hill who pitched marvelously over three innings in relief of Youman.  Two hits; two walks; and two strikeouts was his line against Camden.  His three inning shift on the mound was much needed after Wednesday night's 14 inning affair in which the Ducks used five pitchers out of the pen.  Jeremy Hill chipped in with one inning Wednesday also.


The Ducks won their second game in walk-off fashion in their last three played.  First it was Ray Navarrete delivering a game winning RBI Tuesday.  Thursday, JT House took a turn at being 9th inning hero by driving home John Rodriguez from third base with his own game winning RBI single against a five-infielder shift, for a 1-0 final and a series split with the Sharks.


John Rodriguez returned to action after being given a few days off to nurse a sore thumb.  This was his first game back after sitting out the last five games.  The League's still reigning RBI leader scored the Ducks' winning run but was 0 for 4 in the game.


The Ducks finished their home stand with a 5-2 record.  Both losses came against Camden.  They improved to a now League's best 31-17 record.  They maintain a four game lead over the second place South Maryland Blue Crabs.  And it just so happens, that's where the Long Island Ducks are headed; to South Maryland for a three game weekend series against the Blue Crabs.







Mike.BTB