EMPIRE STATE
BATTLE of the BIRDS
vs.
Stephen Tarpley, Ducks Bullpen Outduel Ferry Hawks in Series Opener on Staten Island
The battle of the birds resumed at Richmond County grounds on Tuesday.
Left-hander Stephen Tarpley climbed the hill for Long Island, and seven-year independent league veteran Dakota Freese started for the host Ferry Hawks. Both pitchers held the opposition scoreless through the first four innings, each allowing just two hits, respectively.
The Ferry Hawks threatened in the fifth, but with runners on the corners and one out, catcher Bryan Gonzalez bounced into an inning-ending 5-4-3 double play.
Long Island finally broke through in the sixth. Recently acquired Phil Caulfield drew a one-out walk and soon scored on Alejandro De Aza's fielder's choice to second.
Staten Island threatened again in the home sixth with three consecutive singles to load the bases. But with one out, Stephen Tarpley struck out center fielder Ricardo Cespedes for out number two, then fanned Dilson Herrera on five pitches to end the frame.
Ferry Hawk manager Edgardo Alfonzo handed the ball over to reliever Eddy Reynoso in the seventh.
Starter Dakota Freese allowed one run on three hits and two walks with four strikeouts in six innings.
The Ducks promptly put two runners on base on an E-5 and a hit-by-pitch. Reynoso gathered himself and struck out Dustin Woodcock for out number two. Shortstop Vladimir Frias popped out to Dilson Herrera in foul territory to end the threat.
Flock skipper Wally Backman summoned right-hander Nick Goody from the bullpen for the bottom of the seventh.
Starter Stephen Tarpley allowed six hits and one walk with eight strikeouts over six scoreless innings pitched. He faced 23 batters while throwing 90 pitches, with 57 (63.3%) going for strikes.
Alejandro De Aza was hit with a pitch in the eighth and left the game. It was the second batter hit by Eddy Reynoso. It gave the Ducks runners on first and second with no outs. With Sam Travis at the plate, L.J. Mazzilli got thrown out at third on the front end of an attempted double steal. Travis then bounced back to the pitcher.
Southpaw Tyler Webb entered the game in the bottom of the eighth in relief of Nick Goody.
Right-hander Joe Kuzia pitched a scoreless top half of the ninth for Staten Island.
Former Arizona Diamondback farmhand Kai-Wei Lin was tasked by Wally Backman with closing out the ninth, and he did not disappoint, retiring the side in order and striking out the last man looking.
Three Staten Island pitchers limited the Ducks to just three hits. Dakota Freese took the loss.
Stephen Tarpley improves to 3-3 with a 2.75 ERA.
The Ducks and Ferry Hawks have now played ten games this season, with Long Island winning seven and Staten Island three. However, the teams are even at 3-3 over their last six meetings.
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