L.I. Ducks - Sign Pitcher; Lose to Somerset

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE



LONG ISLAND DUCKS:  Mighty Offense Shut-Down by Somerset Patriots.

Long Island Ducks GM; Michael Phaff; addressed his depleted starting rotation with a savvy signing;  acquiring MLB veteran; Josh Banks; to provide sorely needed reinforcement for his compromised pitching staff.  Joselo Diaz, who struggled mightily this season as a starter, was released to make room for Banks.


In the first game since Hurricane Irene pummeled Long Island over the weekend, the Somerset Patriots visited Bethpage Park to begin a three game series. 


Valerio De Los Santos made the start for Long Island.  And even though he put the Ducks behind early, pitching wasn't the Ducks' problem this evening.  For the first six innings of this game, the offense was.  No runs and just over a handful of hits were all the Ducks managed against Somerset's starter; Luke Sommer.


It wasn't until they got into Somerset's bullpen that the Ducks started coming back from a 4-0 six inning deficit.  But the closest they got was within 4-2.  In the top of the ninth, Somerset broke out for another three runs and finished off Long Island 7-2.


...And well, you can't can't out-slug teams every night.  So, the starting pitching will continue to be a huge concern moving forward.


Nineteen games remain in the regular season.




Mike.BTB