L.I. Ducks: Monday Swim 7/18; Mark Minicozzi Genrating Needed Power

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Ducks Sweep Series vs. Patriots 3-0

I - LID 6; SOM 3

II - LID 7; SOM 0

III - LID 7; SOM 5

Long Island Ducks: Bruce Kern Just What the Doctor Ordered.

No Jack Snodgrass; no Mark Blackmar; no problem ... Bruce Kern stepped out of the bullpen and into the starting rotation to back fill the void.

Phew!

On Sunday, Kern made his 17th appearance, and 10th start of the season in this weekend's series finale against the Somerset Patriots.  He completed 5 full innings and exiting on the winning side of a 6-2 game after allowing a pair of earned runs on two hits and two walks, with four strikeouts.  He faced 19 batters, and threw 72 pitches with 41 (57%) going for strikes.

The eventual 7-5 Ducks victory improved Kern's record to 4-1, with a 2.39 ERA.

In two seasons with the Ducks, Kern has made 57 regular season appearances and 23 starts, posting a 13-7 with a 3.12 ERA, 47 walks and 158 strikeouts.

Coach Baez utilized four relievers the rest of the way, giving them all an inning apiece.  Todd Coffey pitched the ninth, allowed three hits and a run, but nonetheless registered his 15th save of the season.

Long Island Power Surge

Cody Puckett's three run home run in the fourth inning gave Long Island a 6-0 lead at the time, but Somerset would not be denied, climbing back to within 6-4 in the top of the eighth off the bullpen.

• Puckett had four RBI for the game.

First baseman big Mark Minicozzi's lead-off home run in the bottom of the frame, however, provided the Ducks all the insurance they'd need en route to a 7-4 victory, and weekend sweep over their chief rival Somerset Patriots.

• Minicozzi, 33, is 9/33 (.273) with 4 four home runs and seven RBI in nine games since joining the Ducks.  Two home runs came against the Patriots.

• The Ducks hit six home runs in three games against the Patriots.

Transactions

General Manager Michael Pfaff has been busy reinforcing the pitching staff since losing Snodgrass and Blackmar.

7/13 - Ducks trade Frank de Jiulio Jr. to Bridgeport for rhp Scott Shuman.

7/15 - Ducks sign relief pitcher rhp Kyle Hansen.

7/15 - Ducks sign relief pitcher rhp Danny Burawa.