L.I. Ducks: Francisco Rodriguez Joins The Flock

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Long Island at the Gates!

TONIGHT

Long Island Ducks

vs.

Somerset Patriots

FROM

TD Bank Ballpark

Long Island Ducks: After dropping season opener at Southern Maryland, Flock respond with two straight victories and a series win over the Blue Crabs.

The Blue Crabs stroked 12 hits and six runs against Ducks starter Jiar Jurrgens and reliever Matt Marsh, and pounded out 15 hits overall during Friday's season opener.  Making his Ducks debut, Jurrgens lasted just four innings, allowing four earned runs on eight hits for the loss.

On Saturday, the Ducks took their turn at bat wielding eleven hits and twelve runs.  Starter Jeff Fisher allowed just two earned runs over five innings pitched for the victory.  Three Long Island relievers joined to pitched four no-hit shut-out innings, and fanned five.  Leading off, Jordany Valdespin went 4 for 5 with a home run, three RBI, and four runs scored.  First baseman David Washington went 2 for 5 with a home run and four RBI.  Lew Ford also drove in a trio of runs en route to a 12-2 victory over the Blue Crabs.

Long Island took Sunday's rubber game by a 7-4 final.  Despite pitching in and out of trouble for most of his start, John Brownell walked one and fanned four batters for his first victory of the season.  Dan Lyons was big man on campus with a double and three RBI during a five run first inning.  Vinnie Pestano pitched 1.2 innings for the save.

On that note, the Long Island Ducks announced the signing of former MLB closer Francisco Rodriguez.  Now 36-years old, K-Rod owns a career 52-53 record and 2.86 ERA through 16 seasons and nearly 1,000 innings pitched.  His 437 saves rank fourth all-time behind Mariano Rivera, Trevor Hoffman, and Lee Smith.  He pitched for the 2002 World Series champion Anaheim Angels, while his MLB single-season record of 62 saves in 2008 still stands.

*             *             *

It's never too early in the season for a clash of rivals, particularly when first place is at stake.  Long Island opens a three game series this evening at TD Bank Ballpark against the Somerset Patriots.  The Ducks executed a three game sweep over the Patriots when these teams previously met during last season's Liberty Division finals.  So far, the Patriots are off and running again after recently completing a weekend sweep over the Road Warriors.