L.I. Ducks: Flock Pitching Lacking Wind Beneath Their Wings

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

CALL TO ARMS

Long Island Ducks: Poor Starting Pitching Imperiling Pursuit of Pennant.

I told you ... beware the Lancaster Barnstormers.  The Ducks wind up losing three of four, which has now spilled over into a series opening loss against the Revolution at York on Friday.

With the Ducks losing their last three, and the Somerset Patriots winning their last three, suddenly Long Island's Liberty Division lead is down to two games with only fourteen left to play.  Worse yet, should the Patriots overtake Long Island, Lancaster presently owns a 4.5 game lead in the Wild Card standings over the Ducks.

If you recall, I also said the Ducks will go only as far as their triumvirate of veteran starting pitchers take them.  So far, Jake Fisher has not pitched since Aug. 15, after being placed on the disabled list.  Last Tuesday against Lancaster, John Brownell's ERA grew to 4.66 after allowing five runs on ten hits and five walks through seven innings pitched.  In Friday's opener at York, the Revolution hammer Matt Larkins for nine runs on 15 hits and a walk through six innings, likewise elevating his ERA to a 4.73 mark.  The two allow a combined 25 hits in just 13 innings pitched.

Sandwiched in between the starts of Brownell and Larkins, the Ducks demonstrate how just how dire their situation has become.  Recently signed Chris Pike makes only his fourth start for the Ducks in the first game of Wednesday's double-header against Lancaster, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks in a four inning no-decision effort.  Long Island then turns to 41-year old Lorenzo Barcelo in the nightcap.  Making only his second start for the Ducks, he surrenders four earned runs on eight hits and three walks in just four innings.  Lorenzo had previously made seven other relief appearances since signing on with Long Island one month ago.  Hector Silvestre then starts Thursday against Lancaster, allowing nine runs/four earned, on eight hits and five walks through five innings of work.

All told, the last five starting efforts have resulted in 26 earned runs on 46 hits and 17 walks in 26 innings pitched, for an untenable 9.00 ERA, and equally problematic 2.42 WHiP.

And therein lies Long Island's problem.

Oh, and the Milwaukee Brewers purchased the contract of now former Ducks outfielder Emilio Bonifacio.  He was only the Atlantic League's leading hitter with a .348 batting average, that's all ...