L.I. Ducks: The Untimely Struggles of John Brownell

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Long Island Ducks: Dog days of Summer taking huge bite out of staff ace John Brownell.

We have a pennant race.  Let the pigeons loose...!

Having already clinched a first-half pennant, the Flock seek a season sweep of this year's Liberty Division standings.  However key loses to their starting rotation (purchased by affiliated baseball) and injuries have conspired to make that an increasingly difficult goal to achieve.

It certainly didn't help that Long Island lost 10 of their previous 12 games prior to playing Southern Maryland, during which they endured a seven game losing streak and getting swept by New Britain.

Wednesday's Action:

• The Ducks split a pair of abbreviated games against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs.  They took the conclusion of Tuesday's (postponed) game by a 9-3 margin, then fell 6-4 in game two.
• The Bluefish and Bees went into extra innings, with Bridgeport prevailing in the 11th inning.
• The Patriots bowed to the sub-par Lancaster Barnstormers.

Thursday Standings

LIBERTY DIVISION

Bridgeport     24-21     *

Somerset      24-22    .5

Long Island   21-23  2.5

The Ducks have seven scheduled series left in their season.  And of their final 26 games, all but four will come against Freedom Division foes.  Ferry Cup rival Bridgeport is the lone exception.  Long Island will host the Fish Sept. 5th through the 8th at Bethpage Ballpark, in what could amount to a second half, Liberty Division defining four game series.

But, make no mistake.  The Somerset Patriots will have something to say.  Be sure.  Only problem is the Flock and Patriots have no remaining games left against one another.  If that sounds familiar, there's a good reason.  Long Island did not face the Somerset Patriots over the first-half's final 46 games either.

Talk about your traditional non-confrontational pennant race...

THURSDAY

SERIES FINALE

Southern Maryland Blue Crabs

vs.

Long Island Ducks

FROM

Bethpage Ballpark

While Mark Minicozzi, DJ, Mitchell, and Dan Lyons remain out, Lew Ford made his return to the Flock from a hamstring injury on Wednesday.  Playing in his first game since June 29, Ford went 2 for 3 with a double in his first at-bat in game two against the Blue Crabs.

What Happened to John Brownell?

Once is an event, twice is a coincidence, and three times is a trend...

John Brownell will now have gone a month without a win.  His last victory came on July 27 against New Britain.  Since then, he's gone 0-3 with two no-decisions over his last five starts, surrendering 18 earned runs for a 4.61 ERA, and a whopping 48 hits through 35.1 innings pitched.  He has now allowed double digit hits in each of his last three starts.