L.I. DUCKS ~ Team Explodes for 25 Runs Versus Lancaster

From the desk of:  Waddling Through Brooklyn

Long Island Ducks:  Line-up sets fire to Barnstormers.

As it turns out, Kraig Binick suffered a fractured orbital bone during Wednesday night's game in Lancaster and required a few stitches.  He will be missing a few games after all.

Thursday was the rubber game between Long Island and the Barnstormers.  Lancaster took the first game of the series Tuesday night.  Long Island responded Wednesday with a 14-1 victory.

The Ducks jumped out to an early 2-0 first inning lead before the Barnstormers got a turn at-bat.  Kennard Jones led off the game with a walk and quickly stole second.  He then advanced to third on a wild pitch.  And why not....he scored on a passed ball for the first Ducks' run.  John Rodriguez drew a two out walk.  Then Lew Ford was hit by a pitch.  Finally, something a little more conventional, Matt Esquivel singled to drive in Rodriguez from second base.

Lancaster got one of those runs back in the bottom of the inning to make it a 2-1 game after one full inning.

But Lancaster was suffering battery problems last tonight.  As I mentioned, an earlier wild pitch, a HBP, and a second passed ball in the third inning were just small indications of Lancaster's bigger problems trying to contain Long Island Thursday.  The Ducks were up 9-0 in the third inning third and were still threatening with bases loaded....


Then the game just got plain 'ol out of hand.  The final score was a ridiculous 25-10.  The score was 15-1 after three. 


Sifting through this game is like going into that closet you've been meaning to clean-out for years but are afraid to open the door because of the avalanche of junk you know will surely bury you up to your knees in stuff.  So, besides the Ducks taking the rubber game of their three game series against Lancaster,  I'll limit myself to say this about last night's game.  The middle of long Island's order; the number four and five hitters; John Rodriguez and Lew Ford; we a two man wrecking crew.

John Rodriguez:
3 for 5 ~ 2 home runs; 8 RBI; 6 runs scored; 2 walks.

Lew Ford:
3 for 5 ~ 2 home runs; 7 RBI; 3 runs scored; walk

TONIGHT

LONG ISLAND DUCKS

vs.

Bridgeport Bluefish

At the Ballpark at Harbor Yard

The Ducks and Blue Crabs have spent the front portion of the season's first half divisional race either in first place or drafting the lead team from second.  Today however, circumstances are different.  The South Maryland Blue Crabs just had the contracts of their two best hitters purchased by the Mexican League.

Following suit for now, the Ducks start tonight's series against Bridgeport in first place with South Maryland a close second.  But I expect them to be falling out of the way soon.  I can't see them sustaining this winning percentage after losing two such important players in their early season success.

Enter Bridgeport;  they have come on like gang-busters after a very poor start to their season.  And in the Bridgeport Bluefish, I believe the Long Island Ducks have what will be their new competition for the top spot in the division.  The Bluefish flirted with second place recently.  And even though they are losers of their last three games, they only trail Long Island by 2.5 games.

This should be a very interesting series.

Mike.BTB