L.I. Ducks: Flock Forge First Place Tie With Somerset

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Flock At The Gates!

Ducks Lead Series 2-0

I - LID 7; SOM 2

II - LID 10; SOM 7

WEDNESDAY

Long Island Ducks

vs.

Somerset Patriots

FROM
New Jersey

Long Island Ducks: Surging Flock Now Tied With Somerset Patriots for Liberty Division Lead.

With Monday's 7-2 victory over the Patriots, the Long Island Ducks closed within one game of first place Somerset.  Right-hander Chris Pike - a new addition out of the Tampa Bay Rays system - starts for Long Island, allowing two earned runs on two hits and two walks before being relieved with one out in the fourth.  Coach Baez then treats Somerset to a Long Island bullpen bonanza, doling out an inning apiece to six different pitchers.  It worked, as the sextet joined in limiting the Patriots scoreless on seven hits and just one walk, with seven strikeouts.  Lorenzo Barcelo earned the victory for his scoreless work in the fifth.

Long Island powered up with another three home runs against Somerset.  Taylor Ard strikes early with a two run shot in the first.  Cody Puckett connects on a solo blast in the fifth, and David Washington caps off the night with his team leading 16th home run in the eighth.

With a follow-up victory over the Patriots in Game Two, the Ducks could finally achieve a tie for the  Liberty Division lead with Somerset.

... and they did just that.

The Ducks hit Patriots starter Kyle Davies hard and often.  Both Daniel Fields and David Washington greet him with home run blasts in the first inning; Fields' a solo shot, and Washington's a three-run strike.

In the top of the second, Patriots' Kyle Davies walks the first four batters faced.  A base hit from Travis Snider plates two Long Island runs for a commanding 7-0 Ducks lead.

Rest assure, Somerset does not go down quietly, posting two runs in the third, one in the fourth, and another pair in the fifth.  However, Daniel Fields provides the Ducks with an important insurance run in the sixth when he triples home Dan Lyons.  Ramon Cabrera later gives the Ducks a 9-5 lead with a home run leading-off the eighth.  Resilient Somerset claws back with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame off Ducks reliever Colton Murray, but no more.  The Flock score yet another insurance run in the top of the ninth helped by a throwing error by Chase Hutchingson, allowing Dan Lyons to score, and give Long Island a 10-7 lead, and final margin of victory.

Francisco Rodriguez closes out the game for Long Island, pitching a scoreless ninth inning with two strikeouts for his 20th save of the season.

The Ducks are winners of five straight, and have now defeated Somerset in five straight as well.  Earlier this season, they were down 3-9 in head-to-head gams.  But with one more victory on Wednesday, Long Island will achieve a second straight sweep over Somerset and ensure a split of the season series.

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.

Long Island Ducks 2018 Season Preview

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

LONG ISLAND DUCKS BASEBALL CLUB

Atlantic League Champions

2004     2012     2013

Long Island Ducks Set Sights on Elusive Fourth Atlantic League Title.

Bittersweet is the only way to describe Long Island's last two seasons.  The defending back-to-back Liberty Division champs were swept in the 2016 Atlantic League finals by the Sugar Land Skeeters, then suffered the same fate against the York Revolution last season.

Motivation will surely be in abundant supply this season as the Ducks attempt to break on through and capture their first title in five years.

There's certainly no shortage of confidence on behalf of the organization as Friday's season opener draws near. Newsday's Jordan Lauterbach quotes Ducks president and general manager Michael Pfaff saying, "I think this team is as strong a team as we've had on Opening Day at any point in our history.  I think we're better than we were last year."

That being said, let the games begin!

RETURNING PITCHERS

• John Brownell; Jake Fisher; Dennis O'Grady; Jake Dunning; Tyler Levine; Rob Rogers; Matt Marsh; Matt Larkins.

Add pitching coach to John Brownell's resume.  The Ducks soon to be 35-year old ace since 2013 enters his seventh year with the Ducks.  This will be his first season serving in a player/coach capacity.  Brownell has averaged 26 starts and eleven wins for Long Island over the last five seasons.  John finished last season with the league's third best ERA.

Matt Larkins returns for a second full season with the Flock.  He made 26 starts last season, posting a 9-7 record and 3.69 ERA over 156 innings, with an 8.0 K/9 and 2.4 W/9 averages.  He finished second in the Atlantic League last season in strikeouts, and fourth in ERA.

Southpaw Jake Fisher, 27, appeared in two games last season for the Ducks.  A product of the L.A. Dodgers organization, he owns a 4.04 ERA with 418 strikeouts in 485.1 innings during a four year independent league career.

NEW PITCHING ACQUISITIONS

• Max Almonte; Jason Creasy; Carlos Pimentel; Vinnie Pestano; Andrew Barbosa; Ashur Tolliver; Bennett Parry; Jair Jurrjens; Wander Perez.

Vinnie Pestano, 33, is a veteran relief pitcher of six major league seasons with the Indians and Angels.  He owns a 2.98 ERA in 202.2 innings pitched.  Pitching for the Bridgeport Bluefish last season he posted a 3.25 ERA over 27.2 innings pitched.  He has 143.1 innings of triple-A experience.

Jair Jurrgens, 32, comes to the Ducks with eight seasons of MLB experience, mostly with Atlanta.  An all-star in 2011, he owns a 3.72 career ERA over (MLB) 767.1 innings pitched.  He threw his last MLB pitch in 2014 while with the Colorado Rockies.  After missing all of 2016, he made ten starts last season for the Los Angeles Dodgers triple-A affiliate

Southpaw Ashur Tolliver, 30, pitched in eight MLB games.  A reliever by trade, he posted a 12-9 record and 3.49 ERA, with an 8.6 K/9 average in 329.2 minor league innings pitched.

Right-hander Max Almonte, 26, comes from the lower levels of the St. Louis Cardinals organization.  He owns a 3.09 ERA in 96 innings pitched through 61 appearances spread over three seasons.

Andrew Barbosa was in the Mets system for a time.  Usually a starter, he pitched in relief last season for Milwaukee's triple-A affiliate.  He owns a career 3.36 ERA through 589.1 (minor/winter league) innings pitched.

A potential starter for the Ducks, right-hander Jason Creasy comes over from the St. Paul Saints after spending six seasons in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.

Right-hander Bennett Parry spent the last two seasons with Lincoln of the independent American Association for whom he made 17 starts and posted a 2.16 ERA over 96 innings pitched.

Keep an eye on southpaw reliever Wander Perez.  He also comes over from (now defunct) Bridgeport, where he posted a 1.71 ERA in 22 appearances and 21 innings pitched.  He allowed just 14 hits and fanned 25 batters, with 10.7 K/9 and 2.1 W/9 averages.

RETURNING POSITION PLAYERS

• Audie Afenir; Cody Puckett; Lew Ford; Dan Lyons. 

Catcher Audie Afenir, 26, is a product of the New York Yankees system.  He returns for a second season on Long Island.

NEW POSITION ACQUISITIONS

• Wilkin Castillo; Wagner Gomez; Jordany Valdespin; Alec Sole; David Washington; Travis Snider; Tyler Holt; Robert Garcia; Daniel Fields.

Local fans should be somewhat familiar with former Met infielder Jordany Valdespin albeit perhaps for more reason than just one ... or two.  He behaved somewhat obnoxiously (2012-2013) when he played in Queens.  Now 30-years old and coming off a rather productive season spent playing triple-A in Mexico and winter ball, he managed 86 total games with 333 at-bats in which he slashed .318/.402/.426, and posted 43 RBI.

Lefty-swinging outfielder Travis Snider brings his eight years of MLB experience to Bethpage Ballpark.  He was the Toronto Blue Jays first round selection (14th overall) of the 2006 draft.  After spending parts of five seasons with the Jays, he changed leagues when traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates.  He split time last season playing triple-A ball for both the Texas Rangers and New York Mets respective affiliates and posted a combined .296/.375/.432 slash, with ten home runs and 52 RBI in 476 at-bats.

Catcher Wilkin Castillo has 22 games of MLB experience with the Cincinnati Reds.  Now 33-years old, he spent last season in the New York Yankees system, and has ten years of triple-A experience.

Infielder Alec Sole is a local kid from Holbrook, N.Y.  He gained 27 games of triple-A experience while spending just four years in the Tampa Bay Rays system.

David Washington is a product of the St. Louis Cardinals, but comes to the Ducks via the Baltimore Orioles system.  He has exactly two games of MLB experience.  He's otherwise a nine year minor league veteran with 207 games at triple-A.

I don't know what to make of Wagner Gomez.  He was a catcher up until 2013 when the Reds organization began converting him into a relief pitcher, to mixed results I might add.

Outfielder Tyler Holt, 28, has four years of MLB experience.  A Cleveland Indians product, he comes to the Ducks via the Los Angeles Dodgers.  In 168 games at the triple-A level, Holt slashed .298/.390/.372 but with just a pair of home runs and 44 RBI.

Yet another player acquired via the Bridgeport Bluefish dispersal draft, I'd keep my eye on outfielder Daniel Fields as well.  In just 85 games and 296 at-bats, Daniel slashed .297/.387/.486, with twelve home runs and 51 RBI.


Extra Innings

Long Island begins the season on the road.  They open against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, then move on to Somerset where they'll take on the rival Patriots.  Homecoming for the Ducks is scheduled for May 4 against Southern Maryland.

The Ducks will host Bud Harrelson Appreciation Night on August 3, 2018 at Bethpage Ballpark.

With the Bridgeport Bluefish closed for business, the Somerset Patriots are now the lone remaining Atlantic League charter member still in operation.  Entering their 19th year of existence, the Long Island Ducks are now the second oldest operating team in the Atlantic League.

In lieu of the Bridgeport Bluefish, this season will see the return to the field of the Road Warriors.

Wally Backman begins his first season managing the New Britain Bees.

L.I. Ducks: Revolution Outlasts Flock in Series Opener

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

ATLANTIC LEAGUE

Championship Series

Revolution leads series 1-0

I - Revs 8; Ducks 7

II - @ Long Island

Long Island Ducks: Wild Opening Game at the Pond Ends in Defeat.

In a somewhat literal sense, this game got out of control.  Of the 13 pitchers appearing in this game, 12 issued at least one walk.  All told, York and Long Island pitchers combined to issue 20 base on balls.

Therefore, any pitch that strayed into the strike zone was bound to be struck, solidly.  Sure enough, the difference maker in this game was Revs DH Michael Burgess' 3-run home run off Ducks starter Matt Larkins in the top of the third.

Otherwise, the game was a wild back and forth affair.  York held a commanding 4-0 lead through the first four innings of play.  Long Island then answered back with a four-run bottom of the fifth.  Dan Lyons plated the first two runs with a double to left, and Lew Ford plated the second pair with a single to left.

Delta Cleary Jr.'s RBI single in the sixth gave the Ducks their only lead of the night.  But it was short-lived.  York plated a pair of runs in each of the seventh and eighth innings.

The Ducks closed to with 7-8 in the bottom of the eighth, but mustered no more.

Starter Matt Larkins walked off to a no-decision after allowed four earned runs on seven hits and three walks, with five strikeouts.  Reliever James Jones got tagged with the loss after failing to retire a batter - surrendering two runs on two hits and a walk.

At the plate, eternal veteran Lew Ford went 3 for 5 with three RBI.

L.I. Ducks: Talking Quack; 2017 Season Preview

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

LONG ISLAND DUCKS

18th SEASON

ATLANTIC LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

2004    2012    2013

2016

RECORD

72-68

Liberty Division Champs

After falling behind the Somerset Patriots 0-2 in last year's Liberty Division playoff series, Long Island stormed back with three straight victories to win the division flag, and advance to their fifth ever Atlantic League championship series.  However, the Ducks were denied their bid for a fourth trophy by the Sugar Land Skeeters, whom swept Long Island in three games to capture the 2016 Atlantic League title.

After a previously failed bid in 2014, Sugar Land gained their first championship in their short five year existence, and became the Atlantic League's ninth different champion in its 19-year history.  

The 20th Season of Atlantic League Baseball is Underway!

Long Island's reigning all-time pitching ace, John Brownell, returns for his sixth season with the Ducks. He is the organization's all-time leader in starts, innings pitched, wins, and strikeouts, and likewise holds Ducks single season records for starts, innings pitched, complete games, and strikeouts.  

John posted a 10-8 mark last season with a 3.30 ERA and 1.260 WHiP.  He averaged 7.8 K/9 with 147 strikeouts and 2.0 W/9 after issuing just 38 walks through 169 innings pitched.  After which, Brownell, 33, made his annual return to Puerto Rico where he pitches winter league baseball for the Caguas Criollos.  There, he made seven appearances for this year's LBPRC champions, posting a 2.91 ERA for Caguas through 34 innings pitched, with 17 strikeouts.

John Brownell will be pitching with a revamped stable of mates this season featuring Rafael Perez, Matt Larkin, Keith Couch, and Tim Melville.

• Rafael Perez, 34, is a southpaw and former major league relief pitcher for the Cleveland Indians.  He posted a 21-12 record with a 3.64 ERA through 329 innings pitched, with 268 strikeouts during his seven seasons with the Tribe.  He spent the last two seasons pitching in the triple-A Mexican League and in the Dominican Republic's professional circuit.

• Right-hander Matt Larkins, 28, was acquired from the Lincoln Saltdogs of the American Association last year, and squeezed in three appearances for the Ducks before season's end.  He was 7-7 with a 3.69 ERA in 21 appearances for Lincoln.

• Newcomer to the Ducks, right-hander Keith Couch, 27, is a Mineola, Long Island kid, and former Boston Red Sox minor league farm product, with 157 innings pitched at the triple-A level.

• Another newcomer, right-hander Tim Melville is an eight year veteran of the Kansas City Royals and Cincinnati Reds respective systems.  Through 161 appearances mostly as a starter, Melville owns a 34-59 record with a 4.83 ERA and 578 strikeouts over 726 career innings pitched.

When right-hander Rob Rogers was signed on April 19, southpaw Jack Snodgrass was placed on the inactive list.  Rogers, a 26-year old New York native hailing from Bayshore is a Los Angeles Dodgers product whom gained limited experience at double-A, and enjoyed a very brief sip of Gatorade at triple-A.  Snodgrass made 14 starts last season for the Ducks, posting a par 6-6 record with a 3.79 ERA and 85 strikeouts through 78.1 innings pitched.

Rejoining the bullpen from last season will be Eury de la Rosa, Patrick Crider, and Zac Treece.   They'll be joined by newcomers Jim Fuller, Dennis O'Grady, Chin Hui Tsao, and major league veteran David Aardsma.  For now, Amalio Diaz will open the season as the Ducks closer.  But should Diaz falter, I would argue newcomer Tyler Wilson could step into that role.

• Tyler Wilson was acquired from the Ottawa Champions of the CanAm League.  He made 42 appearances last season, posting a 3-4 record with a 2.07 ERA and 14 saves over 47.2 innings pitched with 60 strikeouts.

• Jim Fuller comes to the Ducks via the Pirates organization.  He was originally drafted by the Mets, and played for the Brooklyn Cyclones in 2009.

• Dennis O'Grady is another local kid from Floral Park, N.Y., who attended Archbishop Molloy High School in Queens.  After five seasons in the San Diego Padres organization, he missed all of 2016.

• Chin-Hui Tsao is a six year major league veteran with the Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Dodgers.  But similar to Dennis O'Grady, he missed all of the 2006 and 2008 seasons.

• David Aardsma is a nine year MLB veteran, whom pitched for the Mets in 2013, and as the Seattle Mariners closer saved 69 games between 2009-2010.

The Ducks will sport two fresh faces behind the plate: right swinging Alex Burg and lefty swinging Dominic Blanco.

• Alex Burg is a potential power hitting backstop who spent the last two seasons toiling in the Texas Rangers system.

• Drafted out of high school by the Seattle Mariners, Dominic Blanco is still young at 21-years old.  He enters the season with just 63 professional games under his belt, mostly at the rookie league level.  He's noted for having a strong arm.

The infield once again features popular shortstop Dan Lyons who returns for his seventh season with the Ducks, and third baseman Cody Puckett, entering his fourth straight season with Long Island.  

• The team is anticipating a full season and lots of slugging from first baseman Nate Freiman, who hit two home runs in just six games last season for Long Island after being acquired as a free agent.  In 2012 for the San Diego Padres double-A affiliate, Freiman slashed .298/.370/.502 through 137 games and 516 at-bats, with 24 home runs and 105 RBI.  He went on to play in 116 MLB games and slugged .408 for the Oakland A's during the 2013 and 2014 seasons.

• Infielder Elmer Reyes first played for the Ducks in 2015, and in just 18 games and 71 at-bats, slashed .380/.389/.746, with six home runs and 15 RBI.  Talk about catching lighting in a bottle.  He spent last season playing for the Nicaraguan National team.  Still only 26-years old, there's a very good chance for lightning striking twice.

• Marc Krauss, 29, is a three year MLB veteran.  He played 85 games and hit 14 home runs last season for the triple-A Las Vegas 51s.

• Giovanny Alfonzo, 24, is a Miami Marlins product, with 126 games played split between the New York-Penn League and South Atlantic League.

In the outfield, the ageless Fehlandt Lentini is back for his fourth season with the Ducks.  A long time independent league veteran, Lentini turns the big four-zero this summer.  He is also coming off a career year for Long Island.  In 140 games and 571 at-bats last season, Fehlandt slashed .313/.364/.455, with 42 doubles, six triples, nine home runs, 75 RBI, 108 runs scored, and 51 stolen bases.

Delta Cleary Jr. returns for his third season.  He finished third in the Atlantic League last season with a .321 batting average, and placed fifth with 32 stolen bases.

• Newcomer to the Ducks, corner outfielder Nolan Reimold, 33, is a nine year MLB veteran mostly spent with the Baltimore Orioles.

• Angelo Songco, 28, is a Los Angeles Dodgers product.  He averaged .298, with 15 home runs and 64 RBI during his three previous seasons playing for the St. Paul Saints.

Long Island Ducks

Atlantic League

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.

L.I. Ducks: Gone Barnstorming

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

NEXT

Long Island Ducks

vs.

Lancaster Barnstormers

Prince Street

PENNSYLVANIA

Long Island Ducks: Flock Forging Ahead While Somerset Patriots Remain in Retreat.

Joining the millions of Memorial Day travelers hitting the road Monday, the Ducks were Pennsylvania bound for a month of June opening series against the Lancaster Barnstormers.

Long Island's John Brownell will face off against Lancaster's J.D. Martin in Tuesday's opener. Brownell, 32, will be making his sixth start of the season.  He is 3-0 with a 3.37 ERA, and has allowed 31 hits, nine walks, and fanned 25 over 29.1 innings so far this season.

The Barnstormers are presently in third place in the Freedom Division, playing at par with an 18-18 record.  Not coincidentally, they are 5-5 in their last ten games, and four games out of first place behind the York Revolution.

The Ducks recent home stand featured a series win over Bridgeport, and a four game split against the New Britain Bees.  They'll enter Tuesday's action in first place of the Liberty Division with a 1.5 game lead over the Somerset Patriots, whom lost in extra innings Monday to York.

Somerset has lost their last two, and eight of their last ten games.  After starting the season 13-0, they've been in free fall since with an 8-17 record over their last 25 games.  Long Island, on the other hand, is 17-9 over their last 26 games, and are 21-9 since tripping out of the starting gate with a 1-6 record.

Waddling Around the Bases Like a Bunch of Mad Mallards...

The Ducks line-up lists three top ten hitters.  Lew Ford's .348 mark is second in the league, while Fehlandt Lentini (.310) and Dan Lyons (.308) rank seventh and eighth respectively.

Lentini also leads the league in games played, at-bats, and runs scored.  He's also second overall in hits, and tied for second with 25 RBI.  Lew Ford ranks among the top four with 24 RBI.

What Long Island lacks in home run potential, they more than make up for with offensive balance and relentlessness.  The Ducks are tied for last in the Atlantic League in home runs, and drawing walks.  Yet, they lead the league in runs scored, hits, team average, and triples, and rank second in doubles, total bases, team OPS, and team slugging.

Hurlers Quacking Down on Opposing Hitters

Long Island hurlers have combined to lead the Atlantic League in strikeouts, shutouts, fewest hits allowed, and average against.  They're additionally second in least earned runs allowed, team ERA, and WHiP, and rank third in slugging against.

Jack Snodgrass leads the Atlantic League in strikeouts, with his staff mate Darin Downs close behind in second.  They're presently the only two pitchers to have surpassed 40 strikeouts so far this season.   Starter Mark Blackmar's 1.77 ERA is good enough for third in the circuit.

L.I. Ducks: Patriots pick up where they left off; sweep Flock to open season

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Patriots run Ducks out of town;

complete four game sweep.

Long Island Ducks: The Flock already sporting an early limp in their waddle.

The first series of the new season is now a matter of record.  The Long Island Ducks, however, remain the lone Atlantic League team still without a victory.  Although we're only talking about four games, Flock fans hope their opening weekend flop against the Somerset Patriots was not an omen of things to come.

Patriots fans would argue the team simply picked up where they left of last season, after winning the Liberty Division flag outright, then eliminating the Ducks from the first round of playoffs.

The Somerset Patriots completed a rather one-sided sweep of the Ducks with a 6-1 victory Sunday afternoon, while outscoring them 26-11 over the four games.

I have a saying - you can't win pennants in April, but you sure can lose them.  In a half-season format, the Ducks are now four games back of the leaders.  Just saying...

• Batting lead-off - Fehlandt Lentini went 8 for 16 with a walk against the Patriots.

• Souvenirs - Lew Ford, Cody Puckett, and Dan Lyons, all hit their first home runs of the season.  The Patriots hit 6 home runs against the Ducks.

Disturbing the Bees' Hive

Next stop on the Ducks 7-game season opening road trip is New Britain, where they'll play their first ever games against the newly created Bees baseball club.

The Camden Riversharks are no longer members of the Atlantic League ... as we once knew them.   The team was unable to reach a lease agreement with the owners of beautiful Campbell Field, thus necessitating their move to the state of Connecticut.  The team now operates as the New Britain Bees.

Opening Day at Bethpage Ballpark is scheduled for Thursday, April 28, against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs.

The Starting Rotation

Coach Baez' initial starting rotation appears set.

• John Brownell started Game One
• Darin Downs started Game Two
• Bobby Blevins started Game Three
• Jack Snodgrass climbed the hill for Game Four

Next up - Right-hander Mark Blackmar, 23, is tentatively scheduled to pitch Monday's opener against the New Britain Bees.  He was originally drafted in 2011 by the Baltimore Orioles, where he spent four years in their organization making his way to A+ level.  Last season, he played a full AA season with the Chicago White Sox organization.  He pitches to contact, and posted a 3.71 ERA over 448.1 combined minor league innings pitched.

L.I. Ducks: Talkin' Quack ~ 2016 Season Preview

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

ATLANTIC  LEAGUE

CHAMPIONS

2004      2012      2013

2015 

Overall Record

80-59

The Long Island Ducks 17th Season is Underway...

We left off with the Somerset Patriots eliminating the Long Island Ducks from last year's Atlantic League playoffs.

The two wasted little time resuming their rivalry, opening the 2016 regular season with a four game weekend series at TD Bank Ballpark.

The season's first call to Play Ball was made Thursday, featuring Ducks ace John Brownell versus the quite familiar Patriots starter Mickey Storey.  The game remained tied at three through six innings of play, earning both starting pitchers a no decision.

The Patriots charged ahead with a five run outburst in the 7th, and added another in the 8th, giving Somerset a final 9-3 margin of victory.

Ducks off to an 0-2 start

Darin Downs climbed the hill for the Ducks Friday evening in Game Two, and was opposed by Somerset's Jeremy Horst.  Despite a solid effort from Downs, the Patriots claimed a 5-2 victory over the Ducks.

There are still a pair of games remaining in order for the Ducks to gain a series split.

Yes, that's concern you sense ... it's never too early.

And with that, the 2016 Atlantic League regular season is underway.

Long Island Ducks 2016 Season Preview

LIDucks.com

General manager Michael Pfaff enters the 2016 regular season with a roster not unlike last year's edition.

Of the positional players, second base is the lone unknown.  The other positional starters are either returning for a second season with the Ducks, or are more established Long Island veterans.

Player/coach Lew Ford's swan song is now in its 7th season!  At 39-years of age, he's either aging like a fine wine or drinking from the fountain of youth - your choice.  In 2014, Lew batted .347 in 544 at-bats, and last season batted .364 in 297 at-bats.  In 1,598 overall at-bats as a member of the Flock, Lew Ford has 547 hits for a .342 batting average.

If the Ducks were to ever consider naming a team captain, long time shortstop Dan Lyons surely would be the easy choice.  In 2015, he established career highs in several offensive categories, most notably his .462 slugging average, and his first ever .300 season average.

Long Island's offense will ultimately be characterized by the sum of its parts.  I'm not sure where they'll draw their power from.  Dan Lyons, Cody Puckett, Fehlandt Lentini, Delta Cleary Jr., and others ideally will combine to make this a fairly balanced line-up (...Kansas City Royals style).

The ace of the staff is still John Brownell, but the ranks are thinning.  After Bobby Blevins, the starting rotation is riddled with question marks.

Meanwhile, the names in the bullpen seemingly grow stranger by the season.  Manager Kevin Baez needs at least three relievers from among this new pack of virtual unknowns to emerge, and help him establish some sort of bullpen semblance.  Presently, all roles appear available.  Inquire within.

Starting Pitchers

Returning Pitchers: John Brownell, Bobby Blevins, Darin Downs

• Southpaw Jack Snodgrass, 28, comes to Long Island via the San Francisco Giants organization.  He spent most of the last three seasons pitching at the AA level.  In 112 minor league appearances he made 88 career starts, with a 42-24 record, 4.00 ERA, and a 1.332 WHiP in 538.1 combined innings pitched.

• Right-hander Nick Struck is entering his second season with the Ducks.  Last season he made 50 relief appearances, but over his minor league career Nick made 118 starts in 134 appearances.  The Ducks utilized him in relief again Friday evening against the Somerset Patriots.

Bullpen

Returning Pitchers: Patrick Crider, Bruce Kern, Frank DeJiulio Jr., Amalio Diaz

• Right-hander Kevin Vance is 25-years young.  He spent five years in the Chicago White Sox and Arizona Diamondbacks organizations.  Last year marked his first touch at the AAA level.   Primarily used as a reliever, he owns a 3.81 ERA and 1.301 WHiP over 328.1 minor league innings pitched.

• Right-hander Dan Blewett, 30, is a career independent league pitcher.  From 2010 through 2012 he was a starter, but after missing all of the 2013 season he returned as a reliever in 2014 with Camden.   In two seasons, 89 appearances, and 121.1 innings pitched for the Riversharks, he posted a combined 3.12 ERA, with 120 strikeouts, 40 walks, and 108 total hits allowed.

• Right-hander James Lomangino, 24-years young, is a Long Island native and St. John's University alumni.  His career is still ahead of him.  He has but two brief years of experience to speak of while in the Colorado Rockies system.  He made 15 appearances playing Rookie ball in 2014, and 39 appearances in the South Atlantic League (A) last year.

• Right-hander Todd Coffey last pitched in the majors in 2012 for the Los Angeles Dodgers.   He's an eight year MLB veteran (2005-2012) whom posted a career 25-18 record with 11 saves, a 4.10 ERA, and a 6.8 K/9 and 2.8 W/9 average in 438.2 innings pitched.  He spent last year with the Seattle Mariners AAA affiliate, where he posted a nifty 1.93 ERA, with an 8.2 K/9 average in 37.1 innings pitched.

• Southpaw Jarrett Casey, 28, spent six minor league seasons in the White Sox organization with 48 appearances at the AAA level.  He totaled 160 minor league appearances, with a 4.18 ERA and a 1.363 WHiP in 383.2 total innings pitched.

• Southpaw Eury De La Rosa, 26, is an eight year minor league, and foreign league veteran.  He pitched in parts of two seasons with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2012 and 2013, where he registered 44 appearances, 51.1 innings pitched, and an 8.4 K/9 average.

Behind the Dish

• Matt Blanke is entering his second season with the Flock.  In 92 games and 326 at-bats last season, he slashed .282/.337/.411, with 15 doubles, 9 home runs, and 43 RBI.

• Mike Dowd, 25, is a five year veteran of the Seattle Mariners system where he elevated to AA. He boasts a stellar defensive reputation and possesses an above average throwing arm.

Around the Diamond

• First baseman Sean Burroughs was acquired mid-season last year from the Bridgeport Bluefish. Don't look to him for power, but have fun watching him hit nonetheless.  In 53 games and 190 at-bats with Bridgeport, he batted .321 last season.  In 37 games and 145 at-bats with the Ducks, he batted .366 with a .422 OBP.

• If Long Island's opening game against Somerset was an indication, then Blake Barber, 26, appears to be this year's starting second baseman.  He spent the last four seasons primarily in the lower levels of the Miami Marlins organization.  He owns a .268 career average over 962 minor league at-bats.

• Another native New Yorker, and St. John's alum, infielder Matt Wessinger, 25, spent last season with Bridgeport, and will likely compete for the second base job, but is more likely to play off the bench.

• Rock steady Dan Lyons is back for his sixth season with the Ducks.  He is coming off a career season, in which he hit 28 doubles, 11 home runs, drove in 73 runs, and batted .301 in 465 at-bats.

• Entering his third season with the Ducks, Cody Puckett will man third base.  He's a combined .286 hitter during his previous two seasons with Long Island, averaging 20 doubles, 9 home runs, and 65 RBI.

The Outfield

• From left to right, continuity rules the day.  Delta Cleary Jr. is back to play left; the indefatigable Lew Ford will be in center; and Fehlandt Lentini, 38, will return in right.

• Blake Tekotte will DH and come off the bench.  He spent the previous four seasons shuffling back and forth between the majors and AAA, accumulating 50 games of MLB experience along the way.

• Anthony Vega, 25, is a product of the Baltimore Orioles system.  He came to the Ducks last season via the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs.  He will provide speed and defense off the bench.

Last word: All hail Buddy Harrelson!

L.I. Ducks: Flock Poised to Clinch Ticket to Finals

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

ATLANTIC LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
*   *  LIBERTY DIVISION  *  *

SHOWDOWN

Ducks at the Gates!

Ducks lead series 2-1

I - SOM 5; LID 3

II - LID 5; SOM 4

III - LID 9; SOM 4

IV - SATURDAY

GAME FOUR

Long Island Ducks

vs.

Somerset Patriots

FROM

Some Ballpark

NEW JERSEY

LONG ISLAND DUCKS: Flock within a victory of advancing to their 5th ever Atlantic League championship series.

After a two game split at Bethpage Ballpark, the Liberty Division series shifted to Somerset Friday evening for Game Three.

Bobby Blevins climbed the hill for Long Island and was opposed by Patriots southpaw Matt Zielinski.

With Somerset clinging to a 1-run lead through 4 innings, the league's top offense finally erupted in the 5th.  With two on and 2-outs, Sean Burroughs, Dan Lyons, and Cody Puckett all hit consecutively giving the Ducks a 4-1 lead.

With Somerset's Matt Zielinski out of the game, an E-6 in the top of the 6th wound up giving the Ducks a 5-1 lead.

Then came the Patriots.

Aharon Eggleston led off the bottom of the 6th with a single.  With 1-out, right fielder Michael Burgess took Blevins deep making it a 5-3 Somerset deficit.

Long Island got a run back on Mike Blanke's 7th inning RBI double.

Bobby Blevins then opened the bottom of the 7th by surrendering a single and walk, inspiring Coach Baez to call on his bullpen.  Pinch hitter David Vidal promptly greeted reliever Patrick Crider with an RBI single up the middle.

That, however, ended Somerset's output for the evening.  The Ducks, meanwhile, struck for another 3 runs in the 8th.  Randy Ruiz' double drove in a pair, and Sean Burroughs' sac-fly gave Long Island their eventual 9-4 margin of victory.

• Bobby Blevins earned the victory.  He faced 26 batters over 6 innings pitched, and threw 88 pitches with 60 (68%) going for strikes.  He allowed 4 earned runs on 4 hits and 3 walks, and fanned 7 batters before exiting on the winning side of (then) a 5-3 game.

• Closer Ryan Kussmaul pitched 2 innings in a non-save situation, and faced the minimum with 2 strikeouts.

• Sean Burroughs remained white hot.  He went 2 for 4, with 2 more RBI in Game Three, and is now 8 for 12 with 4 RBI in the series.

• Randy Ruiz has DH'd in the clean-up slot this series.  He went 1 for 4 Friday, and is now 4 for 11 in the series.

The Ducks now have two chances to win one game.  Easier said than done...

Long Island's Bruce Kern will toe the rubber in Game Four.  Kern made 40 appearances this season, but this will only be his 14th start.  He went 9-6 during the regular season with a 3.51 ERA.  In 107.2 innings he posted a 1.21 WHiP, boasted .242 average against, and fanned 102 batters.

The Ducks will have their work cut out for them against Patriots starter Will Oliver, whom was a late season acquisition from the Frontier League.  He started 9 games for Somerset.  In 54 innings pitched, Will posted a fine 6-2 record with a 3.15 ERA, a 1.07 WHiP, and a .204 average against.

• Patriots right fielder and clean-up hitter Michael Burgess is tearing up Ducks pitching.  He is 5 for 12 (.417) with 2 home runs and 6 RBI in 3 games.

• Table setter Aharon Eggleston is 5 for 8, with 2 walks, a double, home run, and 5 runs scored.

Southern Maryland Blue Crabs 

lead series over Lancaster Barnstormers, 2-1

I - SMB 2; LAN 0

II - LAN 6; SMB 5

III - SMB 6; LAN 1

GAME FOUR

Barnstormers

vs.

Blue Crabs

FROM

Waldorf, Maryland

L.I. Ducks: Flock manage split at the Pond; Migrate onward to Somerset

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

ICYMI:

Playoff Preview: 

Ducks vs. Patriots

ATLANTIC LEAGUE PLAYOFFS

*  *  LIBERTY DIVISION  *  *

Series tied 1-1

I - SOM 5; LID 3

II - LID 5; SOM 4

III - FRIDAY

Game Three

Long Island Ducks

vs.

Somerset Patriots

FROM

Some Ballpark

NEW JERSEY

GAME TWO: Darin Downs Pitches Gem, But Costly Ducks Errors Require Late Rally For 5-4 Comeback Victory.

Ducks starter Darin Downs pitched a gem.  Long Island's southpaw maintained a no-hitter until Aharon Eggleston's single with 2-outs in the 6th.

Downs otherwise completed 7 scoreless innings, faced 25 batters, and threw 104 pitches with 66 going for strikes.  He allowed a mere 2 hits, walked 2, and fanned 7 batters before exiting on the winning side of a 3-0 game.

Cody Puckett drove in Long Island's first run with a sac-fly in the 2nd inning.  The Flock increased their lead to three in the 4th with an RBI from Dan Lyons, followed by Cody Puckett's second of the game.

Patriots starter Mickey Storey yielded all three runs.  He likewise lasted 7 innings, allowed 6 hits, walked 2, and fanned 5 batters before his removal on the losing side.

Both starting pitchers' efforts, however, would shortly be reduced to no-decision status.

With relievers Ricardo Gomez and J.C. Romero pitching the 8th, Long Island's defense went awry. Errors by catcher Mike Blanke (interference), and a back-breaker by first baseman Sean Burroughs helped pave the way for 2 unearned runs and 4 runs in all giving Somerset a sudden, and astonishing 4-3 lead.

Somerset then took their turn at coughing up Game Two.

Fehlandt Lentini drew a walk leading off the bottom of the 8th.  Two wild pitches by two different pitchers later, Lentini scored the tying run.  With 2-outs, Sean Burroughs enjoyed the ultimate redemption by connecting on the game winning RBI.

J.C. Romero secured Long Island's 5-4 victory with a 1-2-3 9th inning.

The Ducks only managed 7 hits, and Sean Burroughs accounted for 3 of them.  He is now 6 for 8 in the series with 2 RBI.

NEXT STOP

New Jersey for Game Three 

(..through Five, if necessary).

• The Patriots went 3-3 during the regular season against the Ducks at Bethpage Park.  A split seemed natural then.  The Ducks, however, posted a 7-4 record at Somerset this season.  We'll see how that translates in the post-season.

GAME ONE RECAP: They Say It's Not A Series 

Until The Home Team Loses. 

Somerset Patriots Go Yard En Route to 5-3 Opening Victory 
Over John Brownell, Ducks.

The Ducks and Somerset Patriots opened their much anticipated Liberty Division playoff series Wednesday evening at Long Island's Bethpage Ballpark.

Staff ace John Brownell climbed the hill in Game One, and was opposed by Somerset's Ray Merritt.

The Patriots wasted no time getting on the board.  Left fielder Aharon Eggleston singled and scored on right fielder Michael Burgess' 2-out triple in the opening frame.

The Ducks quickly tied the game in the 2nd inning.  Dan Lyons led-off with a double to right, then scored on second baseman Greg Hopkins' error.  An inning later, Sean Burroughs singled home Lew Ford putting the Ducks ahead.

That, however, marked Long Island's high point of the night.

Patriots first baseman Matt Fields knotted the game at two when he took John Brownell deep in the 4th.  Somerset then pulled away in the 5th.  After Thomas Neal's RBI single put Somerset ahead, Michael Burgess struck again, this time for a 2-run home run giving the visitors all the insurance they'd need.

The Patriots totaled 5 earned runs on 7 hits off loser John Brownell, whom issued 2 walks and fanned a pair.  John faced 26 batters and labored through 102 pitches with 66 (64%) going for strikes.

Ray Merritt likewise tossed 6 innings for the victory.  He limited Long Island to a pair of runs (one earned) on 6 hits and 3 walks.  He faced 27 batters and struck out three.  Closer Jon Hunton pitched a scoreless 9th inning for the save.

The Ducks scored on a wild pitch in the 7th giving Game One its 5-3 final score.

Long Island Ducks Playoff Preview: Showdown Versus Somerset

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Atlantic League Playoffs: The Final Four

Back on September 15th, Long Island toppled the Revolution in York, while the Patriots overran the Bluefish at Harbor Yard.  The combination earned the Ducks their 10th playoff berth in the last 12 years.

The Somerset Patriots, meanwhile, posted an Atlantic League best 89-50 overall record this season, bulldozing their way to both first and second half Liberty Division flags.

The Patriots and Ducks were the only teams to post 80-wins or better this season, as Long Island went 80-59 to qualify for this year's Wild Card.

The Pond will host the first two games of this long simmering Liberty Division feud, after which the series will come to a head in Somerset for Games Three through Five, if necessary.

Lancaster Barnstormers Poised to Defend Title

After a poor first half, the Lancaster Barnstormers rolled to a second half title, thus earning the right to defend their crown.  They closed out the season with a 7-game winning streak and won 8 of their last 10 games.

They'll host the first half champ Southern Maryland Blue Crabs for Games One and Two of the Freedom Division semi-final series.  The Blue Crabs will then host Games Three through Five, if necessary.

Long Island Ducks Playoff Preview

LIBERTY DIVISION PLAYOFF

GAME ONE

Somerset Patriots

vs.

Long Island Ducks

FROM

THE POND

LONG ISLAND WON SEASON SERIES 

OVER SOMERSET 10-7

ICYMI:
Long Island Ducks Season Preview: Championship Series or Bust

The entrance gates at Bethpage Ballpark were locked early last year - certainly earlier than Long Island fans had grown to expect.  Autumn instead ushered in a sense of loss, as the Flock failed to qualify for post-season play in 2014, and thus surrendered the right to defend their Atlantic League crown.

Previous to that, the Ducks appeared in three straight championship series, while winning back-to-back titles in 2012 and 2013, marking their second and third Atlantic League championships in the organization's history.

• After failing to make the playoffs during their first four years of existence, the Flock lifted their first trophy back in 2004.

General manager Michael Pfaff now has The Flock back in position to win a fourth. He joined old reliable veterans and crowd favorites with fresh new faces whom together produced the league's second best record.  It required mining new talent the old fashioned way, however, panning and sifting for bits of gold in places where the competition was not.

So make no mistake, getting the Ducks in this position was no easy task.  Division realignment forcing the Patriots to join the Liberty Division two years ago made sure of that, while roster picking exemplified by Lew Ford's brief departure to Mexico only compounded Long Island's troubles.  On that note, Coach Baez deserves credit for keeping his team together in the face of losing their top producers.

Those factors, however, only held some sway with regards to Long Island's own general missteps along the way.  As the first half wound down, a poor showing during an extended series in Sugar Land rendered Long Island's end of half series finale against the first place Patriots an inconsequential matter.

The Ducks then followed up with a sub-par 34-35 second half record, finishing 5 games back of Somerset.

Moreover, they went on to lose their last 5 games of the regular season since clinching a spot in this year's tournament, which includes getting swept by the defending champion Lancaster Barnstormers in the season series finale.

The Patriots didn't exactly end their season on a great note either.  They dropped their final two games, and went 6-4 in their last 10 games.

OFFENSE COMPARISON/Atlantic League Rank:

• Hits - Ducks #1 vs. Patriots #6
• Runs Scored - Ducks #1 vs. Patriots #2
• Team Average - Ducks #1 vs. Patriots #7
• Doubles - Patriots #1 vs. Ducks #2
• Home Runs - Ducks #4 vs. Patriots #5
• Total Bases - Ducks #1 vs. Patriots #5
• OPS - Ducks #1 vs. Patriots #5

With Lew Ford having spent time in Mexico, and Jon Griffin on the disabled list since August 19, veteran shortstop Dan Lyons wound up leading the team with 11 home runs and 73 RBI.  Lew Ford ended with 63 RBI, despite being a triple crown threat upon his departure.

Sean Burroughs played 37 games for the Ducks and batted a robust .366 in 145 at-bats since being acquired from Bridgeport. His combined .340 batting average led the league.  Lew Ford otherwise led the team with an non-qualifying .364 average.

Somerset's lefty swinging Michael Burgess leads either team with 15 regular season home runs, and  drove in 59 runs. Team mate David Vidal led the team with 63 RBI and clubbed 12 home runs.  And Thomas Neal led the team with a .290 average.

PITCHING COMPARISON/Atlantic League Rank:

• ERA - Patriots #1 vs. Ducks #3
• Average Against - Patriots #1 vs. Ducks #2
• WHiP - Patriots #1 vs. Ducks #2
• Least Hits Allowed - Patriots #1 vs. Ducks #2
• Strikeouts - Ducks #1 vs. Patriots #7
• Least Walks - Patriots #2 vs. Ducks #7
• Saves - Ducks #1 vs. Patriots #2

Starter John Brownell tied for league lead with 12 victories, and led the circuit with 146 strikeouts in 175.2 innings pitched.  Ian Marshall's season waned, finishing 7-7 with a 4.38 ERA over 143.2 innings pitched, with 92 strikeouts.  August acquisition Billy Buckner went 8-3 with an even 4.00 ERA over 69.2 innings pitched, with 73 strikeouts.

Despite top pitcher Sean Bierman getting picked off the roster back in July, Somerset is still well armed.  Matt Zielinski went 8-4 with a 2.86 ERA.  Mickey Storey tied John Brownell with 12 victories, and posted a 2.53 ERA over 106.2 innings pitched, and lefty starter Ray Merritt, a late August acquisition from the Sugar Land Skeeters, boasts a 2.88 ERA.

Long Island Ryan Kussmaul finished the season third in the league with 28 saves and a 3.42 ERA.   Amalio Diaz kicked in with 14 saves and a 2.77 ERA.  Patriots closer and former Duck, Jon Hunton finished second in the circuit with 32 saves, and posted a 3.09 ERA.

Let the games begin!

Go Ducks.

L.I. Ducks: First Half Hopes Derailed in Sugar Land

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

First Half Final

46-23  .667

2nd place

Long Island Ducks: Sugar Land Skeeters intercept Flock's migration towards a potential first half title; Ducks drop 5 of 6 in Texas rendering anticipated showdown against Somerset Patriots meaningless.

July 8, 2015, Wednesday - Atlantic League All-Star Game

What more could they have done?

The Ducks posted two 10-game winning streaks in June, en route to the finest first half in their organization's history, yet, are left lamenting their costly slip against the Sugar Land Skeeters, and the resulting failure of not capturing a 1st half flag.

The Ducks started June five games out of 1st place.  They won their first 10 games of the month, then after losing a series opener to the Bluefish, proceeded to win another 10 in a row, right up until their dreadful encounter with the Skeeters.

The Ducks lost 5 of 6 games in Sugar Land.  Meanwhile, the Patriots continued playing relentless baseball.

Long Island then swept 4 games from Lancaster, and took 2 of 3 from the Patriots to end the first half.  As it turned out, the Ducks finished second in the Liberty Division, 3.5 games back of the Somerset Patriots.

What could have been....?

Not much else to say, really.

Only thing left is to give credit where due - the Somerset Patriots played phenomenal baseball over the season's 1st half.  They posted their own 10-game win streak in June en route to setting an Atlantic League record 50-20 first half mark.

If Ducks fans really want to ruffle their own feathers, they should additionally blame the league's division realignment..., again.  Had things stayed they way they were, the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs would have finished 4-games back of the Ducks.  Instead, the Blue Crabs captured the Freedom Division 1st half flag.

Seems like everyone is benefiting except Long Island, hmm?

It gets worse..., in a manner of speaking.

The Long Island Ducks will start the second half of the season without what was the Atlantic League's pitching triple crown contender, Mickey Jannis.  The knuckler's contract was purchased by the New York Mets on July 1st.  Upon his departure, he was leading the league with 67 strikeouts and a 1.18 ERA, and was third in the circuit with 6 victories against just 2 losses.

Good luck to Mickey Jannis, of course.  I'm look forward to watching him rise through the Mets system.  He reported to (A+) Port St. Lucie.

However, losing Jannis is a big blow, as Long Island's starting rotation really hit its stride once Andrew Barbosa signed on.  The Ducks and GM Michael Pfaff are now left scrambling to minimize any recurrent instability this may cause.

If you remember, usual reliever Eric Niesen opened the season in the starting rotation.  That did now work out well, and Niesen was ultimately moved to Bridgeport on May 31st (completing an earlier transaction).  Starter Mark Rogers also started the season in the rotation, and likewise struggled this season.  He was similarly dealt to the Bluefish on June 30th.

Michael Pfaff wasted no time though.  On the same day, the Ducks signed 39-year old southpaw J.C. Romero, whom last pitched in the majors for St. Louis and Baltimore during the 2012 season.  He spent the 2013 season pitching AAA baseball in the Washington Nationals and Cleveland Indians organizations.  In 2014, he made 20 appearances during the Puerto Rican winter league season.  This year, Romero made 5 appearances for Puebla of the (AAA) Mexican circuit prior to signing with the Ducks.  So far, he has thrown 3.2 innings in 3 appearances.

*   *   * 2015 *   *   *

ATLANTIC LEAGUE 

ALL-STAR GAME

WEDNESDAY

Freedom Division

(Blue Crabs - Skeeters - Barnstormers - Revolution)

vs.

Liberty Division

(Patriots - Ducks - Riversharks - Bluefish)

FROM 

the Ballpark at Harbor Yard 

Bridgeport, Connecticut

Lew Ford is participating in the Home Run Derby.

2015 Long Island Ducks ~ Atlantic League All-Stars:

• SP - Ian Marshall - 12 starts, 71.0 inn, 3-4 record w/ 3.04 ERA, 43 strikeouts
• RP - Ryan Kussmaul - 31 games, 33.1 inn, 3-0 record w/ 2.70 ERA, *22 Saves
• 1B - Jon Griffin - .239/.312/.389, 9 HR, 45 RBI
• SS - Dan Lyons - .327, 5 HR, 38 RBI
• 3B - Cody Puckett - .274, 4 HR, 24 RBI
• OF - Lew Ford - *.361/*432/*.556, *96 Hits, *26 Doubles, 8 HR, *58 RBI
• OF - Bryan Sabatella - .302, *54 runs, *20 Stolen Bases

• *  Leads Atlantic League

Lew Ford, who turns 39-years old in August, is an obvious choice for 1st half Atlantic League MVP. His .361 batting average is 34 points better than the league's 2nd leading hitter and team mate, Dan Lyons.

In fact, the league's top four hitters play for the Long Island Ducks.  Delta Cleary Jr. is 3rd in the circuit with a .326 mark, and Reegie Corona is 4th with a .325 average.

While Jon Griffin's slash appears light, he has nonetheless provided the pop expected of him.  He is part of a pack tied for 2nd in the circuit with 9 home runs.  Griffin's 45 RBI are second only to Lew Ford, whom leads the league by a wide margin with 58 RBI.

Shortstop Dan Lyons wielded a particularly lethal bat in June.  As the customary #9 batter in the order, he is 2nd in the league in hitting, and 4th in the league with 38 RBI.

The table setter, Bryan Sabatella (.302/.360) is 4th in the league in doubles, 3rd in hits, and leads the Atlantic League in runs scored and stolen bases.


Let's Go Liberty Division..



Mike