L.I. Ducks: Barnstormers and Mother Nature Stymie Flock

from the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

LONG ISLAND DUCKS: Muddy Waters..

Mother Nature doused Long Island's attempt at a series split with the Barnstormers.

After rain delayed the start of the game in excess of two hours, the umpires finally made the call to play Monday night baseball in Lancaster.

With the Ducks holding on to a 3-2 lead, heavy rain began falling again in the top of the 5th, and threatened the game's official status.  They would get through it, managing to fit in 5 complete innings with the Ducks ahead.

However, the umpires ponderously made them continue playing through deteriorating conditions into the 6th inning.  After the Ducks went scoreless, they began barking from the dugout at the home plate ump.   With heavy rain continuing to fall, and loud protestations emanating from Long Island's dugout, and with 1-out in the bottom of the frame, Blake Gailen homered off Ian Marshall to tie the game at three.

After starter Ian Marshall walked the next batter, umpires incredulously called for the field tarps again.  The Ducks dugout was livid, maintaining the game should have been stopped after the 5th.

Just before midnight, the game was suspended with the score tied at three.  The game will be made up on a day to be determined.  This game needs to count towards the first half standings.

• Lancaster won Friday's series opener by a 6-2 score over Ducks starter Mark Rogers.  He allowed all six runs (all earned), on 6 hits and 5 walks.  He fanned 4 batters, and saw his ERA grow to a 4.82 mark.  His record fell to 1-2 after 4 starts.  Lew Ford was 4 for 4 with an RBI.

• On Saturday, the Ducks jumped out to a 4-0 lead after 5 innings, but then allowed Lancaster to post 7 unanswered runs.  Mickey Jannis started, and lasted 5 innings.  He allowed 4 runs 9 (only 1 earned), on 6 hits and no walks.  He fanned 6 batters, but took a no-decision.  Bruce Kern allowed 3 earned runs in relief of Jannis to earn the loss.  Reggie Corona was 3 for 4, and hit his first home run of the season.  It was Long Island's only extra base hit of the game.

• In Sunday's game, Lancaster's pitching fell apart late in the game, and helped push 5 runs across the plate in the 8th.  The Barnstormers issued a pair of bases loaded walks, and a wild pitch plated a third run.  Lew Ford's 2-out single then scored two more en route to an 8-6 Ducks victory.  Lew Ford and Reggie Corona both drove in 3 runs apiece.  Bruce Kern rebounded from Saturday's loss to earn the win in relief of starter John Brownell.  The Long Island ace exited the game after 6.2 innings pitched.  In earning a no-decision, he allowed 4 runs (3 ER) on 5 hits and 3 walks, with 7 strikeouts.

With an 11-12 record the Ducks remain in last place, and trail the Somerset Patriots by 4.5 games in the Liberty Division standings.  They are now headed to York, Pennsylvania, to take on the Revolution.

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Long Island Ducks

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York Revolution

FROM

Santander Headquarters

PA

Mike