L.I. Ducks: Look What The Barnstormers Did To The Flock...Again

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Lancaster Leads Series 2-0

GM1 - LAN 5; LID 4

GM 2 - LAN 6; LID 5

GM 3 - THURSDAY

LONG ISLAND DUCKS: Lew Ford Is Hot; John Brownell Is Not.  Starter Still In Search Of First Victory.

On Sunday, the Ducks salvaged a split in their four game series against the York Revolution.  But, after a day off on Monday, they've spent the last two nights dropping a pair of one run games to the Lancaster Barnstormers.

In the series opener, Lancaster jumped out to an early 3-0 lead, only to have the Ducks scramble back, and tie the game at four.  However, the Ducks unfortunately fell in ten innings by a 5-4 final.  Lew Ford was 4 for 5 in the game, homered, and recorded 3 RBI.

Still in search of his first victory, John Brownell climbed the hill for Long Island Wednesday night, and was opposed by Lancaster's Chad Beck.

While Beck kept the Ducks silent over his 5 innings of work, Lancaster was busy chipping away at Brownell over his 6 innings.  The Barnstormers took an immediate 1-0 lead in the 1st, and by the 6th inning, owned a 5-0 lead.  All five runs were earned, and charged to Brownell, who exited after allowing 9 hits, one walk, and fanning 4 batters.

Long Island jumped back into the game in the bottom of the 6th with a 2-run home run by Adam Bailey, with Lew Ford on base.

With Brad Holt pitching in relief of Brownell in the 7th, Lancaster drew a one out walk, and singled, instigating Coach Baez to make another change.  Steve Garrison entered, and promptly surrendered a single to Fred Lewis to make it a 6-2 game.

That's important, because the Ducks rallied, but fell short by a run.  In the home 8th, Fehlandt Lentini led off with a double, and scored on Lew Ford's base hit.  Adam Bailey then doubled.  After a pitching change by Lancaster, Cody Puckett greeted reliever Brodie Downs with a single to center, delivering Ford, and making it a 6-5 game.  But, the rally ended there.  With 2 outs, catcher Brian Peacock struck out to end the game.

John Brownell took the loss.  His ERA inflated to a 5.50 mark, while his record fell to 0-2 in 3 starts.

Long Island fell one game below .500 with a 5-6 mark.

Lew Ford raised his batting average to a .341 mark, on the strength of 10 hits in his last 17 at-bats.

After Thursday's series finale, both teams will travel to Lancaster and play three more.




Mike.BTB