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 Flock Strike Back

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

LIBERTY DIVISION FINALS

Patriots lead series 2-1

I - SOM 3; LID 2*

II- SOM 10; LID 0

III - LID 7; SOM 1

IV- @ Long Island

GAME FOUR

Somerset Patriots

vs.

Long Island Ducks

FROM

BETHPAGE BALLPARK

Central Islip, L.I.

Long Island Ducks: Pond Sweet Pond; Flock Stave Off Elimination with 7-1 Victory in Game Three.

With pitcher Nick Struck providing the Ducks a much needed proverbial shot in the arm, Long Island was able to stave off elimination, and force Saturday evening's Game Four at Bethpage Ballpark.

They say necessity is the mother of all invention...

Long Island's starting rotation suffered a series of major blows back in July when the contracts of Mark Blackmar, Jack Snodgrass, Darin Downs, and Jim Kern were all purchased away.  Nick Struck, therefore, was transitioned out of the bullpen and into the starting rotation by Aug. 9, when he pitched five innings in a winning effort against Somerset.  In nine regular season starts, Struck went 4-3 with 2.50 ERA, allowing 15 runs, 48 hits, and 19 walks, with 43 strikeouts over 54 innings pitched.

Friday evening in Game Three, Struck limited the Patriots to one run on just four hits and two walks, while fanning three batters for the must-have victory.  In facing 25 batters, he threw 95 pitches with 63 going for strikes.

Reliever Amalio Diaz struck out the side in the eighth inning, and Todd Coffey closed out Long Island's first victory of the series with a scoreless ninth.

Playing without top slugger David Vidal, Somerset's lone run of the game came in the seventh inning on a lead-off home run by Bryan LaHair.  Nick Struck then retired the next three batters to complete his final inning of work.

Ducks batters, however, struck for seven runs on 12 hits off Somerset starter Alexis Candelario and reliever Randy Boone.  Both Lew Ford and Tyler Colvin went yard.  Fehlandt Lentini went 2 for 4 with a pair of RBI, while Long Island's four, five and six hitters combined on 6 for 12, with three runs scored and three RBI.

Starter Jarret Leverett will tow the rubber for Long Island at Bethpage Ballpark in Game Four, and will be opposed by the familiar Shaun Garceau for Somerset.

• Southpaw Jarret Leverett was acquired from the New Britain Bees, and finally shipped over on Aug. 28 to complete an earlier trade.  He squeezed in four regular season starts for the Ducks, going 2-2 with a 4.50 ERA, allowing 11 runs on 23 hits, with 18 strikeouts over 22 innings pitched.  In 28 appearances and ten starts for the Bees, Jarret compiled a 4-7 record and 3.55 ERA, with 68 strikeouts over 93.2 innings pitched.  

• The Patriots acquired Shaun Garceau from the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs early in the season.  He made 25 combined appearances and 24 starts this season, including 19 for Somerset.  Shaun went 4-6 in the regular season with a 4.97 ERA.  He allowed 128 hits and fanned 74 batters over 132.2 innings pitched.

FREEDOM DIVISION FINAL

After winning the first two games of the Freedom Division finals in Sugar Land, the Skeeters completed their three game sweep of the Revolution on Friday with an 8-6 victory in York.  Sugar Land returns to the Atlantic League finals for a second time.  They were swept by the Lancaster Barnstormers in the 2014 finals.

Long Island Ducks: Atlantic League Playoff Preview

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

*  2016  *

ATLANTIC LEAGUE

DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS

Freedom Division Series

YORK REVOLUTION

vs.

SUGAR LAND SKEETERS

This year's Freedom Division series opens Tuesday evening, and features the first-half champion York Revolution facing off against the second-half champ Sugar Land Skeeters.  The series opens in Sugar Land, then shifts to York for games three through five (if necessary).

• Finishing the season with the league's second most victories, York last won back-to-back Atlantic League titles in 2010-2011.

• Two short years after Sugar Land's founding, the Skeeters were swept in the 2014 A.L. championship series by the Lancaster Barnstormers.

Liberty Division Series

FLOCK at the GATES..!!

Long Island Ducks

vs.

Somerset Patriots

FROM

TD Bank Ballpark

Bridgewater, N.J.

On Wednesday, old time rivals resume hostilities when the defending Atlantic League champion and this year's second-half Liberty Division winner Somerset Patriots host the first-half champ Long Island Ducks.

• Finishing the regular season with the league's best record, the Somerset Patriots are chasing their seventh ever Atlantic League championship.  They've also lost four championship series along the way.

• After losing to York in the 2011 championship series, the Ducks rebounded to win back-to-back titles in 2012-13, then failed to qualify for the 2014 post-season.  They were then eliminated in the first round of last year's playoffs.

Overall Record

Patriots  77-63

Ducks    72-68

These rivals last faced off on August 11, with Somerset gaining a 7-4 victory at Bethpage Ballpark.   

However, these teams could not be more evenly matched.  The Ducks and Patriots met 20 times in the regular season, with each claiming ten victories.  

The Patriots opened the regular season by sweeping four games from the Ducks.  But despite posting a 7-3 first-half record against Long Island, it was the Flock that would capture the first-half crown.  

In an ironic reversal of fortune, the Ducks kicked off the second-half with a three game sweep of the Patriots, en route to a 7-3 record over Somerset.  However, Somerset ensured themselves the opportunity of defending their league title by capturing the Liberty Division second-half flag.

If only marginally, Somerset seemingly enters these playoffs the hotter club.  The Patriots posted an 11-8 record in September, but finished 5-5 over their last ten games of the season.  Long Island posted an 8-10 record in September, but finished 6-4 over their final ten games.

The Patriots seemingly own a slight offensive advantage over the Ducks.  Long Island's pitching, however, seems to enjoy the edge over that of Somerset's.

At The Plate

Team Slash

• SOM - .272/.349/.401
• LID - .270/.334/.388

Runs

• SOM - 694
• LID - 635

Home Runs

• SOM - 116
• LID - 84

Total Bases

• SOM - 1,933
• LID - 1,808

Stolen Bases

• SOM - 166
• LID - 124

Long Island's MVP candidate Fehlandt Lentini is the only Atlantic League player to score over 100 runs this season.  He additionally leads the circuit in total hits and doubles, places second in stolen bases, fifth in both batting average and RBI, and leads the Ducks with a .455 slugging average.

With a .321 batting average, the Ducks Delta Cleary Jr. ranks third.  Aharon Eggelston batted .310 and Eric Farris batted .301 this season for the Patriots.  Eggelston is fifth in the League with a .388 OBP, while Ruben Gotay ranks ninth and leads the Ducks with a .372 mark.

Anthony Vega is sixth in the league with 75 runs scored, while Somerset's Farris and Eggelston are ranked seventh and tenth respectively.

The Patriots' David Vidal is second in the league with 26 home runs.  Anthony Vega leads the Ducks with eleven, while catcher Mike Blanke has ten.  Fehlandt Lentini, however, leads either team with a .455 slugging average, while Carlos Guzman leads Somerset with a .408 mark.

Bryan LaHair leads the Patriots and ranks second in the league with 86 RBI.  For Long Island, Fehlandt Lentini drove in 75 runs, and Cody Puckett is sixth with 73 RBI.

Ducks outfielder Lew Ford spent considerable time on the disabled list this season due to a strained hamstring, but is expected to be a regular starter during the playoffs.  Originally injured on May 28, he remained out through June 24.  After just five games back, he was sidelined again on June 30 through August 23.  Ford finally returned to action on August 24, and has remained on the field since.

On The Mound

ERA

• SOM - 3.90
• LID - 3.87

WHiP

• SOM - 1.29
• LID - 1.33

Average Against

• SOM - .256
• LID - .256

Slugging Against

• SOM - .392
• LID - .382

Strikeouts

• SOM - 1,080
• LID - 1,084

Base on Balls

• SOM - 361
• LID - 394

There's a good reason why the Ducks finished the second-half in last place with a 32-38 record.  The month of July took a ruinous toll on their pitching staff.  The contracts of Mark Blackmar, Jack Snodgrass, Darin Downs, Bruce Kern, and others, were all purchased away.

Mainstay John Brownell remains, giving the Ducks a fighting chance.  The usually reliable Bobby Blevins endured a rough season.  The Ducks will instead be looking to Matt Larkins, Jarrett Leverett, Daniel Hererra, and Nick Struck to get them through.

Long Island batters will be opposed by Will Oliver, Nik Turley, the familiar Shaun Garceau, and perhaps Efrain Nieves.

Patriots closer Jon Hunton led the Atlantic League with 37 saves, while posting a 3.76 ERA over 50.1 innings pitched.  Ducks closer Todd Coffey registered 27 saves with a 3.08 ERA over 44 innings pitched.

The best of five series shifts to Long Island's Bethpage Ballpark for games three through five (if necessary).

L.I. Ducks: First Place Showdown at Harbor Yard

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

FERRY CUP SERIES

LONG ISLAND DUCKS

vs.

BRIDGEPORT BLUEFISH

FROM

The Ballpark at Habor Yard

LONG ISLAND DUCKS: Flock Migrate Across the Sound for First Place Showdown Against Fish.

Never mind the part about Long Island holding a 10-3 advantage over the Fish in this season's Ferry Cup series.  Bridgeport enters this weekend's series against the migrating Ducks by just a game in the Liberty Division standings.

The Ducks lost their Thursday morning series finale to the Patriots by a 3-1 score in Somerset, leaving the Bluefish just a half game behind.  Bridgeport, however, failed to seize the moment Thursday evening when they bowed to the Sugar Land Skeeters, thus setting the stage for this weekend's first place showdown at Harbor Yard.

These teams last met in July with the Ducks taking two of three at Bethpage Ballpark.

Friday series opener will feature a pair of right-handers.  Bobby Blevins will climb the hill for Long Island and will be opposed by Bridgeport's David Kubiak.

I just might be there, as I embark on my second road trip back into New England for more minor league baseball.  I'm thinking of attending just to kick back with a hot dog before the longer drive ahead, and of course, to cheer on the Ducks in another team's ballpark.

• The Ducks will miss Bridgeport starting pitcher Jonathan Albaladejo who pitched on Aug. 2 against Sugar Land, and whom leads the Atlantic League with 10 victories, and is fourth with 99 strikeouts.

• Long Island's Darin Downs and John Brownell are among those tied for second with eight victories each.

• Delta Cleary Jr. enters the series leading the Atlantic League with a .321 batting average.   Fehlandt Lentini is second with a .309 average.

Somerset Patriots salvage series finale

Ducks win series 2-1

I - LID 4; SOM 2

II - LID 3; SOM 2

III - SOM 3; LID 1

With the Ducks still patching together a solution for a fifth starter, southpaw Dustin Richardson made only his fourth start of the season Thursday morning in Somerset.  He tossed five innings before exiting on the losing side of a 3-1 game and eventual Ducks' loss.

Dustin allowed all three Somerset runs on 10 hits and two walks, with four strikeouts.  He faces 24 batters, threw 89 pitches, with 55 (61%) going for strikes.

The Atlantic League batting leader, Delta Cleary Jr. knocked in the Ducks lone run of the game with a double in the third inning scoring Fehlandt Lentini.

Somerset employed a pitcher by committee, utilizing seven hurlers, who limited Long Island to just four hits all game.  Starter Rudy Owens started, allowed just a hit but walked five batters in 2.2 innings of work.  Six other relievers combined to allow no runs on three hits, no walks, with five strikeouts over 6.1 innings of work.  Former Ducks closer Jon Hunton notched his league leading (tied) 25th save of the season.

On August 1, rhp DJ Mitchell was acquired from Bridgeport for first baseman Sean Burroughs.  He made his first appearance for the Ducks on Aug 3 in Game Two against Somerset.  He threw five innings for the victory, allowing just two earned runs on four hits and four walks, with five strikeouts.

• Mitchell previously made 12 appearances and nine starts for the Fish, posting a 2-3 record with a 4.39 ERA.  He allowed 58 hits and fanned 48 through 55.1 innings pitched.

Staff ace John Brownell was stellar in Tuesday's series opener in Somerset.  He walked off to a no decision, but tossed seven innings, allowed one earned run on five hits and no walks, while striking out eight.

Extra Innings

The dog days of summer are upon us.  Long Island will have one day off throughout the month of August (Monday the 22nd).  Due to a scheduled double-header late in the month against Lancaster, Long Island will wind up playing 30 games in 30 days.

L.I. Ducks: Look Who's Number One ... Again

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Ducks Lead Series 2-1

I - YRK 8; LID 4

II - LID 3; YRK 1

III - LID 8; YRK 5

IV - THURSDAY

LONG ISLAND DUCKS: It's not how you start, it's how you finish ... just ask the Patriots.

The Ducks have swam these waters before, and each time handed first place back to the Somerset Patriots.  The trick now is to stay in first before the first half expires in short time.

On Wednesday, Long Island won their second straight over the visiting York Revolution, building an 8-2 lead through eight innings until the Revolution made them sweat out an 8-5 final after the ninth.

Starter Bruce Kern followed Darin Downs' Tuesday gem with a fine performance of his own, limiting the Revs to a pair of runs on seven hits and no walks, with five strikeouts though seven full innings of work.  He faced 30 batters, and threw 93 pitches with 67 (72%) going for strikes.  Kern now boasts a 1.98 ERA with 45 strikeouts over 45.1 innings this season.

Fehlandt Lentini, the league's 3rd leading hitter, paved the way going 3 for 4 with a 3-RBI triple, and four RBI overall.  Catcher Mike Dowd was 2 for 4 with a pair of RBI.

LIBERTY DIVISION

Ducks       37-29

Patriots    36-30

Coupled with Somerset's 8-7 loss against the New Britain Bees, the Ducks now own a full game lead over the Patriots in the Liberty Division standings.

Somerset has lost seven of their last ten games.  They have gone 23-30 since jumping out to a 13-0 start.

The Ducks and Revolution will resume hostilities in Thursday's series finale.

L.I. Ducks: No Place Like Home

From the desk of: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Saturday Twin-Bill at Bethpage Ballpark

TODAY

Lancaster Barnstormers

vs.

Long Island Ducks

FROM

THE POND

LONG ISLAND DUCKS: A sweep of the Bees, and even a five game winning streak still barely enough to distance themselves from Somerset Patriots.

Heading into Saturday's double-header against the Lancaster Barnstormers, the Ducks are winners of five in a row, and remain undefeated during their current home stand.

By virtue of one more loss in the Liberty Division standings, the relentless second place Patriots are similarly 7-2 over their last nine games, and enter today's action against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs a mere half game behind Long Island.

Including today's double-header, the Ducks have 14 games remaining in June, then 10 games to go in July before the first half expires.

Flock Rock

The indefatigable Lew Ford continues leading the Atlantic League with a .348 average, while Fehlandt Lentini is still third with a .345 mark, and is 7th in the league with 31 RBI.

Three Ducks starting pitchers rank among the league's top six in ERA.  Mark Blackmar leads all with a stellar 1.94 ERA; Jack Snodgrass is fourth with a 2.97 mark; John Brownell is heating up and now rates sixth with a 3.09 ERA.

Meanwhile, Jack Snodgrass leads the circuit with 67 strikeouts, with Darin Downs a close second with 62 strikeouts.

In his last three starts, John Brownell has only allowed five earned runs through 23 innings pitched, while fanning 24 batters and only walking four.  On June 11, he struck out double-digit batters for the second time this season.

M*A*S*H

Tyler Colvin and Sean Burroughs are in the midst of serving a 7-day stint on the disabled list, with shortstop Dan Lyons ailing from a strained hamstring as well.

New Kids in the Pond

General Michael Pfaff signed two players during the week that was.

• Pitcher Dustin Richardson, 32, gained 29 games of MLB experience between the 2009 and 2010 seasons with Boston.  Drafted by the Red Sox in the 5th round of the 2006 amateur draft, he additionally went on to serve in the respective systems of Florida, Atlanta, L.A./Anaheim, and the L.A. Dodgers.  Now an 11 year minor league and independent circuit veteran, he formerly pitched for the Sugar Land Skeeters during the 2012 and 2013 seasons.  At all levels, he boasts a career 46-36 record and 4.35 ERA through 776 innings pitched.  He owns a career 1.394 WHiP, and a 9.5 K/9 average covering 378 games, and 84 career starts.

• Second baseman Carlos Hughes, 27, was reacquired, after appearing in 35 games for the Ducks last season.  He previously played for the Sussex County Miners of the CanAm League, and for the Camden RiverSharks.  In 2014, he also played for the Las Vegas Train Robbers(!) of the independent Pecos League.

Last Licks

Revisiting a favorite pet peeve of mine  -  had the Atlantic League not realigned the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs and Somerset Patriots, the Ducks could presently be leading the Liberty Division by six games over second place New Britain.  In fact, we could even be speaking of a mini dynasty were it not for Somerset's division presence over the last few seasons... perchance to dream.

Just gotta play the game...

By The Way...

Nice appearance by Long Island closer, and eight year major league veteran Todd Coffey on MLB Network last week, giving the Atlantic League and the Ducks a lot of exposure.

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: Look Who's Number One

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Ducks win series over Bluefish 2-1

I - BPT 5; LID 1

II - LID 15; BPT 5

III - LID 10; BPT 9

Long Island leads 2016 Ferry Cup Series over Bridgeport 5-1

Long Island Ducks: Flock Waddles into First Place After Pounding Out Fish at the Pond.

The Flock is waddling strong, and wielding a big stick.

In winning their series against the Bridgeport Bluefish, the Ducks outscored the Fish by a 25-14 margin over the final two games.  In fact, the Long Island Ducks have now scored the most runs in the league, surpassing the Patriots.  Meanwhile, Long Island has now won five of the six games played against Bridgeport this season.

Where has it gotten them?

Answer: atop the Liberty Division ... finally.

The Somerset Patriots, meanwhile, lost Thursday against Sugar Land, thus allowing Long Island to climb atop the division.  The Patriots continue encountering increasingly tougher times of late, losing three in a row, and seven of their last ten games.

Otherwise, I can't help but think of the grief suffered by Ducks fans in recent years ever since league realignment placed the Patriots in the Liberty Division.

I digress...

Thursday Final

Fish       9

Ducks  10

After jumping out to an early four run lead in Thursday's finale, the Ducks were faced with a 9-4 deficit after four innings.  But Long Island clawed back with two runs in the bottom of the fourth, and three more in the fifth to tie the game at nine.

Catcher Mike Dowd's double in the home seventh plated the decisive run in a 10-9 Ducks victory. Dowd went 3 for 4 on the night with three RBI overall.

Fehlandt Lentini went 3 for 5, with a home run and a pair of RBI.  On Tuesday, he went 2 for 5, with a triple and two RBI.  He and Lew Ford are now tied for second in the league with 21 RBI.

After turning in two straight extended effective performances, Starter Darin Down fared poorly during his seventh start of the season, allowing eight runs (six earned) on 11 hits in just 3.2 innings of work.

A crew of six relievers summoned from the bullpen, however, quite literally saved the day with 5.1 innings in which they surrendered one unearned run on just two hits and no walks, with three strikeouts.

Next

New Britain Bees

vs.

Long Island Ducks

FROM

THE POND

The Ducks need relief ... for their bullpen that is.  After Monday's day off, the Bridgeport Bluefish levied a heavy tax on Long Island's bullpen, particularly in Thursday's game.  And the Ducks also have a double-header to contend with on Saturday.

Long Island is in need, then, of lengthy starts from the trio of Bobby Blevins, Jack Snodgrass, and Mark Blackmare, in their upcoming series against the New Britain Bees.

Snodgrass presently leads the circuit with 44 strikeouts, while his staff mate Mark Blackmare is second in the league with a 1.26 ERA.

L.I. Ducks: Gone Fishing; Ferry Cup Series 2016

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

FERRY CUP 2016

Bluefish lead all-time series over Ducks 

158-154

The Bridgeport Bluefish last qualified for the playoffs in 2010, when they advanced beyond the first round only to get turned back in the Atlantic League championship series by the York Revolution.  The following season, Bridgeport then lost a Liberty Division play-in game against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs.  The times have been relatively quiet at Harbor Yard since.

The Bridgeport Nine captured their lone Atlantic League title in 1999, but own the distinction of winning the most games all-time of any member club in Atlantic League history.

That said, they have certainly enjoyed better starts in previous seasons.  The Fish are now losers of four straight games after dropping a double-header on Wednesday against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs.  They enter this weekend's Ferry Cup series in last place of the Liberty Division with a sub-par 5-9 record.

However, there's seemingly never a dull moment whenever these rivals meet.  This weekend in Bridgeport should be no different.

Six game winning streak

The Ducks have officially put their 1-6 start behind them.  After Wednesday's rain postponement, Long Island won both games of Thursday's abbreviated make-up double-header, completing a series sweep over the Lancaster Barnstormers.

After having won 6 straight games, they'll enter this weekend's series against rival Bridgeport with a 7-6 record.

Bobby Blevins toed the rubber in Thursday's first game against Lancaster.  He threw six scoreless innings, allowed just 4 hits, walked none, and fanned 4 batters, but walked off to a no decision.  The Ducks and Barnstormers traded zeroes right up to the moment Lancaster reliever Scott Gracey walked home the winning run in the bottom of the 7th inning.  Todd Coffey earned the victory in relief.

In Game Two, starting pitcher Jack Snodgrass earned his second consecutive victory of the season.   He hurled 6 innings for a second straight game as well, allowing 3 earned runs on 7 hits and 2 walks, with 7 strikeouts.  In his previous start against Southern Maryland, Jack allowed just one earned run on 5 hits and 3 walks, with 9 strikeouts.

After being limited to just 3 hits in Game One, the Ducks exploded for 14 hits and 13 runs in the night cap.  Lead-off hitter Fehlandt Lentini was 2 for 4 with 3 RBI.  Delta Cleary Jr. went 3 for 4 with 2 RBI.

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 Whitewash Skeeters For 5th In A Row

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

LONG ISLAND DUCKS: John Brownell Shows Old Form.

FLOCK TAKES OPENING GAME IN SUGAR LAND

That's the reigning championship series MVP we remember.  John Brownell turned in a vintage performance Friday night in Sugar Land, Texas - shutting out the Skeeters in 7 full innings of work, while allowing 8 scattered hits, walking two, and fanning 7 batters.

Brownell earned his second victory, and lowered his ERA from 6.00, down to a 4.86 mark.  He also took over the league lead in strikeouts with 32 in 37 innings pitched.

The Long Island Ducks scored a pair in the 4th, and two more insurance runs in the 7th en route to a 4-0 whitewash of the Sugar Land Skeeters.

Kieth Castillo's double in the top of the 4th, plated Randy Ruiz and Adam Bailey with the game's first two runs.  Later, Dan Lyons reached on a one out single in the 7th, and came all the way around to score on Fehlandt Lentini's single, and an error by the pitcher.  Another passed ball spelled the end of Sugar Land's starting pitcher, Matt Wright.  Ramon Delgado entered in relief, and promptly unleashed a wild pitch allowing Lentini to score.

The bullpen handled the rest.  Eric Niesen took care of the 8th in relief of Brownell, tossing a scoreless frame and fanning two.  Leo Rosales closed out the Skeeters in a non save situation.

The Ducks are now winners of 5 in a row, and improved their season record to a 15-11 mark.  The Somerset Patriots were defeated by the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, allowing the Ducks to pull within 1.5 games of 1st place.




Mike.BTB

L.I. Ducks: Flock Flying High After Completing Four Game Sweep Of Blue Crabs

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

LONG ISLAND DUCKS: Flock Off To Go Mess With Texas.

Led by the bats of Cody Puckett and Adam Bailey, the Long Island Ducks completed a four game sweep of the visiting Southern Maryland Blue Crabs.  The Ducks rapped 13 hits against their opponents, and only fanned once in gaining an 8-3 victory in Thursday night's series finale.

Puckett was 2 for 4 with a double, a home run, and 3 RBI.  Bailey went 3 for 3, and likewise produced a double and his team leading 5th home run of the season to go along with a pair of RBI.  Lead-off batter Fehlandt Lentini also had a productive night at the plate, going 3 for 4, with a walk, an RBI and 2 runs scored.

Making his third start of the season, Jared Lansford climbed the hill for Long Island, and was opposed by Southern Maryland's Ian Marshall.  Jared pitched 5 innings, allowed 2 runs (but none earned) walked 3 and struck out 3 to earn his first victory of the season.  Ian Marshall was knocked out of the box after just 2.2 innings pitched, and allowing 5 earned runs on 8 hits.

The Blue Crabs picked up their third run of the game in the 6th off reliever Steve Garrison.  Otherwise, Josh Lansford continued his scoreless innings streak in the 7th, while Jon Meloan and Jeremy Accardo finished out the bullpen's contribution with 2 scoreless innings of work.

Defensively however, this was not one of Long Island's sharpest games, as they committed 4 errors.

With a 7-3 record over their last 10 games, the surging Ducks have transformed themselves into hottest team in the division, and now boast an overall 14-11 mark.  They remain 2.5 games behind the division leading Somerset Patriots (17-9), whom were Thursday night winners over Camden.

The Flock were forced into a hasty departure from Bethpage Park, as Friday evening they begin a four game Memorial Day Weekend series against Tracy McGrady and the Sugar Land Skeeters in Texas.




Mike.BTB

L.I. Ducks: Flock Opts For Difficult Road To Victory

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

LONG ISLAND DUCKS: Flock Avoids Friday Night Collapse

Looking to turn their recent fortunes around with an old fashioned, rut altering, road trip, the migrating Long Island Ducks arrived in Lancaster for the back end of their home-and-home against the Barnstormers.

But, considering how the Ducks got swept on their field by the Barnstormers, Friday's series opener in Lancaster would have been an even harder pill to swallow.  That's because the Ducks jumped ahead 7-0 after 2 innings, then watched their lead erode to 7-3 after the 3rd, 7-6 after the 5th, and then ultimately an 8-7 deficit after the 8th.

Shaun Garceau made his 3rd start of the season, and in 5 innings, allowed 6 earned Lancaster runs on 7 hits, and 2 walks, with 2 strikeouts, yet managed to leave on the winning side of what was still a 7-6 game, while the bullpen work of Josh Lansford and Brett Lorin kept the Barnstormers quiet for another 2 innings.

In the top of the 8th, Jeremy Accardo broke a cardinal rule, and issued a lead-off walk to Blake Gailen that came back to haunt him.  A stolen base, a double, and a single later, and the Barnstormers were owners of an 8-7 lead.

In the top of the 9th, Adam Bailey pushed back with a one out solo home run to tie the game.  Then with 2 outs, Fehlandt Lentini's single plated two more runs, to give Long Island a 10-8 lead.

Coach Baez then turned to his closer Leo Rosales,who pitched a scoreless 9th inning to earn his fifth save of the season.

The Ducks will try an ensurer at least a series victory when the play the Barnstormers again this evening.



Mike.BTB

L.I. Ducks: Finally Thwart Revolution For First Home Victory Of 2014

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

York Leads Opening Day Series 2-1

GM 1 - York 6; Long Island 1

GM 2 - York 8; Long Island 7

GM 3 - Long Island 4; York 3

GM 4 - Sunday Afternoon

LONG ISLAND DUCKS: Bobby Blevins Continues His Strong Pitching; Ducks Win First Home Game Of 2014 Season.

Have the York Revolution no respect for the returning champion's triumphant return home, on Opening Day no less?  Clearly, for York, which defeated the Ducks in the 2011 Atlantic League championship series, the answer is no, they did not.

The Revolutionary party-crashers from the Freedom Division were having none of it.  They came, they saw, and they ruined what was otherwise supposed to be a celebratory weekend at Long Island's Bethpage Park.

They treated Ducks starting pitchers John Brownell and Shaun Garceau rather rudely in the first two games of this four game weekend series.  John Brownell took the loss on Opening Day.  He pitched 6 innings, and was roughed up for 4 earned runs on 6 hits.  He walked 2 and fanned 5 batters before exiting on the losing side of an eventual 6-1 final.

In Saturday's first game of a twin-bill, the Ducks failed to hold a 5-2 lead, and eventually bowed to the Revs by an 8-7 score.  Shaun Garceau only lasted 4 innings, allowed 4 earned runs on 6 hits, walked 2, and fanned 5 before departing, but escaped with a no-decision.  However, he saw his ERA balloon to a ghastly 18.48 mark after two starts this season.

Over the first two games of the series, York pitching held the Ducks to a .184 batting average on 12 for 65 at the plate.  Long Island managed 4 extra base hits, which included two home runs, drew 8 walks and fanned 8 times.

The Ducks finally prevailed over the Revolution in Saturday's night cap, on the strength of Bobby Blevins' 7 inning gem, and clutch hitting from Cody Puckett.

Bobby Blevins climbed the hill for Long Island, and once again pitched marvelously over his seven innings of work.  Over that span, he allowed 2 earned runs on 5 hits, walked none, and struck out 8 batters, all swinging.

York took the initial lead with a pair of runs in the 4th inning.  But, the Ducks stormed back to give Blevins a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the 5th inning, on an RBI double struck by shortstop Dan Lyons, and a two run single by right fielder Fehlandt Lentini.

Jeremy Accardo entered the game in the 8th inning in relief of Bobby Blevins, and with one out, was greeted by York center fielder Sean Smith with a long home run over the left field wall, which tied the game at three, and unfortunately reduced Bobby Blevins effort to a no decision.

However, Long Island regained the lead when second baseman Cody Puckett came up with a big 2-out base hit in the bottom of the 8th inning, to score Lew Ford (single) from second base.

Closer Leo Rosales entered the game in the 9th, looking to close things out.  The first Revs batter went down swinging at strike three.  The second York batter looked at strike three.  Then, the final Revolutions batter literally threw his bat through strike three to end the game.  The bat finally came to rest foul, down the right field line.

Although Jeremy Accardo blew the save opportunity, he gets credit for Long Island's first home victory.   Leo Rosales earned his 3rd save of the young season.  In two starts and 13 innings pitched, Bobby Blevins has allowed 4 earned runs on 6 hits, walked none, and fanned 14 batters.  His ERA dropped from 3.00 down to a 2.77 mark.

In Saturday's Game One, catcher Keith Castillo became the first Duck with 2 home runs.  Lew Ford leads the team with 6 RBI.

Long Island evened their season record at 4-4.



Mike.BTB