Long Island Ducks: Lancaster Wins Game One

From the desk of:   THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

LONG ISLAND DUCKS - Strong Pitching Hurls Lancaster Barnstormers Past Ducks In Game One.

GAME ONE FINAL:

Long Island    1

Lancaster       5

In Wednesday's opening game of the 2012 Atlantic League championship series, the league's regular season ERA King did what he does best - win games and make opposing runs a scarce commodity.  Lancaster's Dwayne Pollok, who not incidentally also tied for the circuit lead in wins this season, pitched six innings of shutout ball against the Long Island Ducks.  Pollok surrendered four hits, walked two, and struck out five for the win.


The Ducks finally broke through for a run in the seventh inning against Lancaster's bullpen.  Dan Lyons connected on a double.  Kraig Binick drove him home with a single.  But that's all Long Island would get.  The Barnstormer bullpen combined on three innings pitched, allowing the Ducks their lone run.  Five Lancaster relievers surrendered five hits, walked no batters and struck out four.


Randy Kiesler made the start for Long Island and pitched almost equally as well.  He managed through the first six innings, allowing a run in the second inning, and another in the sixth.  Kiesler surrendered five hits and walked two to that point, while striking out four.  Then after retiring the first two batters in the seventh, Coach Baez made a move to the bullpen.  Jeremy Hill was given the ball.  The first batter he faced singled.  Hill then issued a walk to the second batter, setting up runners at first and second.  In was what still a 2-1 game in Lancaster's favor, the next batter Jeremy Hill faced was Lancaster's DH, Ryan Harvey, who promptly connected on a three run home run, making the game a 5-1 affair.
 

After Game Two, the series will shift back to Long Island for all remaining games.




Mike.BTB

Long Island Ducks: Defeat Blue Crabs; Take 1-0 Series Lead

From the desk of:   THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

ATLANTIC LEAGUE ~ DIVISION SERIES

 

 

 

Playoff Preview

 

Long Island Lead Series 1-0

I - Ducks 4; Blue Crabs 3

 

II - TONIGHT

 

LONG ISLAND DUCKS:  Eighth Inning Rally Just Enough To Defeat Blue Crabs In Game One.

There's nothing like a little late inning drama to start the playoffs, huh?  In several respects however - mission accomplished.  The idea is to split games on the road, and win at home, right?  Down in the park at Waldorf last night, the Long Island Ducks took a 1-0 lead in their semi final series against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs.


After just the first three batters of the game, the Ducks were in possession of a two run lead.  Kraig Binick led off the game with a double.  Batting second, Joash Brodin also doubled, scoring Binick.  Ray Navarrete then singled to drive in Brodin.


Ducks starter, Randy Keisler, kept the Blue Crabs scoreless through the first four innings.  He struck out out the side in the bottom of the first inning, with a walk interspersed.  An inning ending  double play got Randy out of the second.  In the third inning, Randy Keisler struck out the side in order.  He pitched himself into big trouble in the fourth, when with one out, he walked two batters and hit a third batter to load the bases.  But he managed to induce a foul pop-up, and a force out to escape the inning.


He wasn't as lucky in the fifth inning.  Southern Maryland struck for two runs on three hits to knot the game at two apiece.


Randy Keisler pitched six innings in all.  He allowed the two runs, and limited the Blue Crabs to four hits.  He had troubles with control as he walked four batters.  But he was also strong with nine strikeouts.


Coach Biaz went to his bullpen in the seventh.  Jared Lansford was first and struck out the side.


In the top of the eighth, Long Island broke the deadlock.  Three doubles led to two more runs.  Dan Lyons led off with the first double.  Joash Brodin followed with another to drive in Lyons.  The Brandon Sing delivered a clutch two out double to drive in Brodin for a 4-2 Ducks lead.


Coach Biaz turned to Eric Niesen for the eighth.  After retiring the lead off batter, Coach Biaz played match-ups and summoned Jeremy Hill.  But a solo home run by Jesse Gutierrez almost thwarted that strategy.  Jeremy Hill was able to complete the inning without further damage.


Leo Rosales pitched a scoreless ninth inning to preserve Long Island's victory, and earned himself the save.  Jared Lansford gets credit for the win.  A fine effort by Randy Keisler ended up in a no decision.


Brandon Sing drove in what wound up being the game winning RBI.

TONIGHT

 

GAME TWO

 

LONG ISLAND DUCKS

(SP - Matt Way)

vs.

South Maryland Blue Crabs

(SP - Matthew Vasquez)

 

FROM

The Baseball Grounds at Waldorf

 

 

 

 

Mike.BTB

L.I. Ducks ~ Limp Into Break After Clinching Title

From the desk of:   THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

LONG ISLAND DUCKS:

First Half Liberty Division Champs Stumble Into The Break

LOSING STREAK UP TO SIX

Six Long Island Ducks Headed to All-Star Game

We've reached the half way point folks.  Having already clinched the first half Liberty Division title handily over the second place RiverSharks, it's now time for Wednesday's Atlantic League All-Star Game, being played this season in beautiful Campbell's Field in Camden, New Jersey, right underneath the Ben Franklin Bridge.  If you've never seen a game there, do so.  The park sits right    across the river from Philadelphia with the bridge and the downtown skyline serving as a backdrop.


Long Island's manager Kevin Baez, will lead the Liberty Division All-Stars in this year's game.  Joining him will be six Ducks players.  Starter Jason Monti, and reliever Jeremy Hill are the hurlers.  Ray Navarrete, Kraig Binick, Dan Lyons, and Shawn Williams, will join them in Camden.


After stumbling through a six game losing streak to end the first half, the Ducks finished 39-30, ever so coincidentally after they clinched the division title.  Thirty-nine wins was still tied for second best in the circuit.  The Freedom Division first half champ Lancaster Barnstormers romped to forty-five wins, to include a closing four game sweep of the Ducks in Lancaster.


Not necessarily an All-Star omission, the Independent League's premiere power hitter over the last few seasons, Brandon Sing, missed twelve games in the first half due to an injury.  He is in his first season in the Atlantic League since coming over from the American Association.  So perhaps he's still adjusting.  His thirteen home runs are just slightly off the league lead.  But maybe with more games played, his thirty-six RBI could be up among the leaders.  Ray Navarrete by the way, is tied for second in the A.L. with forty-eight RBI so far.  Ramon Castro of York, leads with fifty.


Then there is the curious case of starting pitcher, Mike Loree.  He is clearly not the same triple crown pitcher who dominated the league just a season ago.  In fact, he has struggled in thirteen starts with a 5.80 ERA, which is three full points higher than last year's mark.  Last season's league leader in wins, is currently sporting a 4-4 record.  He has been far more hittable this season than over last.  In 71.1 innings pitched, he has surrendered eighty-five hits.  Mike has issued seventeen walks and struck out fifty-four.  Last year's strikeout king, is currently ranked thirteenth in the circuit.


This season at least, Bob Zimmermann and Jason Monti have emerged to lead Long Island's starting rotation to somewhat offset Mike Loree's slide.  But the Ducks aren't nearly as deep as they were last season either.  If you remember, last season in the first half, the Ducks bulldozed their way to a title behind a formidable offense, but also rode the strong pitching of Mike Loree, and Mike Parisi before his contract was purchased.  This season, Mike Loree, Bob Zimmermann, and Jason Monti, have combined to win thirteen games.  That's only a third of all Ducks' victories.


It is also worth noting, after a string of terrible starts, Gustavo Chacin was finally jettisoned from the rotation and the team.  Reliever Jason Monti was then needed to be taken out of the bullpen to start games, and has gone on to win five of six decisions.  Monti's insertion into the rotation became possible when reliever John Hunton returned to the Ducks' bullpen this season.  He was signed late last season and pitched in the playoffs, and was resigned again in early June this season.


In other news, on July 6th, the Ducks signed former Met outfielder, Timo Perez.  He joins fellow former Met, Armando Benitez, on the activated list.




Mike.BTB

L.I. Ducks ~ Salvage Game Versus Bridgeport; At The Game

From the desk of:   THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE
*Corrected on Tuesday

LONG ISLAND DUCKS:  Another Fine Day in The Pond.

The Ducks salvaged a win versus the Bridgeport Bluefish Sunday afternoon in the second installment of this season's Ferry Cup Series.  The Bluefish now lead the benefit series four games to one.  Game Three will be Monday.

Play Ball!  First Pitch

Long Island's starter, Randy Keisler, labored through 102 pitches in six innings.  He was touched for six hits and three earned runs.  And struggled with control, walking four, and struck out three.


Bridgeport took a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning on a two run home run by third baseman, Brock Peterson.  But Long Island struck back for three runs in their half of the inning.  Ray Navarrete led off the home half of the fourth with a walk.  Brandon Sing followed with a single.  Then Shawn Williams drove them both home with a one out triple.  Ried Gorecki lofted a fly ball to center for a sacrifice fly RBI, and a 3-1 Ducks lead.  Bridgeport tied the game however in their next at-bat off Randy Keisler.

By the sixth inning, Randy Keisler's day was through.  But not before the Ducks supplied him with four more runs in the bottom of the sixth, to put Keisler on the winning side of the game again.  This was Randy's third win of the season against just one loss.


After Shawn Williams led of with another extra-base hit; a double this time; Ried Gorecki drove him home with a single.  Josh Johnson followed with another single to score Gorecki who had previously advanced to second.  Yet another single by Bryant Nelson later delivered Josh Johnson.  A sac-fly by Brandon Sing drove home Kraig Binick, and the fourth Ducks' run of the frame.  An error led to one more Long Island run in the eighth, giving them an 8-3 lead, and eventual final.

Kraig Binick and Ray Navarrete

Brandon Sing

In the lead-off spot, Kraig Binick was 3 for 4 Sunday, with a walk, and two runs scored.  First baseman Shawn Williams, was 2 for 4, with a double, triple, and two RBI.  Ried Gorecki also had two RBI.


After Randy Keisler, Long Island's bullpen took care of the final three innings.  Jason Monti pitched two innings, allowed three hits and two walks, and struck out three.  Jeremy Hill closed out the ninth inning, surrendering a hit, and a walk


The Ducks begin a four set in Camden against the River Sharks Tuesday evening.

My Sixth Inning Foul Ball.

Mike.BTB

L.I. Ducks ~ Next Up; The Bluefish in a Battle for First

From the desk of:   THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

LONG ISLAND DUCKS:   After Dropping Opening Game, Ducks Comeback to Take Series from Lancaster.  Next, the Bluefish Invade The Pond in a Clash For First Place.

The Ferry Cup Series Resumes.

What do you do when the Barnstormers ruin your home winning streak at nine?  You start a new streak by winning the next two.  And so, the Ducks came back to win the final two games in their series against Lancaster.


In Tuesday's game, Randy Keisler, Jeremy Hill, and Dan Meyer, all pitched brilliantly against former major leaguer, John Halama and company.  Randy Keisler tossed seven innings of seven hit, shut-out ball.  He walked one and struck out eight.  After 103 pitches, Randy gave way to Jeremy Hill staked to a 6-0 lead.


In the first inning, Kraig Binick led off the game with a double, and scored on Bryant Nelson's single, and an error by the third baseman.  Reid Gorecki later singled home Bryant Nelson for a 2-0 Ducks' lead.


It stayed that way until the bottom of the seventh inning.  For John Halama's part, he was snake bit by errors over 6.2 innings.  Of the six runs charged to him, only two were earned.  He did surrender nine hits however, and walked three.


After a good seventh inning stretch, the Ducks beefed up their lead with four more runs.  After an E-5, a wild pitch, a walk, and a single by Bryant Nelson to load the bases, John Halama was on the ropes.  After missing some time, Brandon Sing made his return to play in time for this series, and said hello to John Halama with a grand slam home run, for a 6-0 Ducks' lead.  It was Brandon's first home run since returning over the weekend, and his sixth of the season.


The Ducks tacked on one more run in the eighth on Wilberto Ortiz' second home run of the season.


Jeremy Hill pitched a scoreless eighth and struck out two.  And Dan Meyer pitched a scoreless ninth to finish off the win.




On Wednesday, the Ducks picked up where they left off.  Jason Monti hung in and pitched five innings of four hit ball.  He gave up one earned run and struck out three with no walks on the way to recording his third win of the season.  Jason trails Mike Loree by one strikeout (21/22) for the team lead.


By the fourth inning, the Ducks already posted their ten runs.  Brandon Sing seems to be getting his swing in order.  He was 3 for 5, with a double and a run scored.  Along with Sing.., Kraig Binick, Bryant Nelson, Ray Navarrete, and James McOwen, all had multiple hits.  Shawn Williams was the only Duck to homer Wednesday and had three RBI.  Bryant Nelson drove in his team leading 19th RBI.  And Ray Navarrete was 2 for 4 with four RBI and two runs scored.  In all, the Ducks had fifteen hits.


Once Jason Monti was out of the game, the bullpen had some trouble closing out.  Connor Graham, and Eric Niesen, combined to pitch four innings (two each), and surrendered four runs on six hits, and walked four.


So a flaky bullpen and two errors get covered up by ten runs for a day...  Winning can do that.


The Ducks are now 17-8, and remain the only team with single digit losses.  They maintain a 3.5 game lead over the Bridgeport Bluefish in the Liberty Division, who conveniently swim into The Pond Thursday night for a four game series in what is now a battle for first place.  But Bridgeport is 3-7 in their last ten, while the Ducks are just the opposite with a 7-3 record in their last ten games.  The Bluefish were 4-2 losers to Southern Maryland Wednesday.  The Ducks are now 11-1 at home.


The Ferry Cup Series continues.  In the last meeting between these teams, the Bluefish swept a three game series in Bridgeport.





Mike.BTB

L.I. Ducks ~ Continue Home Cooking Against Somerset

From the desk of:   THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

L.I. Ducks

LONG ISLAND DUCKS:  The Webbed Ones Continue to Dominate The Pond.

Game One ~Friday Final:
Somerset       7
Long Island  9

Pond Sweet Pond.  Back from Sugar Land, Texas, after splitting a six game series with the Skeeters, the Ducks returned to The Pond and continued their home winning streak that began on Opening Day.  After last night's opening series win over the Somerset Patriots, the Ducks are now winners of seven in a row at home.  Also winners of seven of their last ten, the Ducks will enter tonight's second game against the Patriots 1.5 games in first place ahead of their Liberty Division rivals.  And in spite of last night's loss, the Somerset Patriots are still tied for first in the Freedom Division along with the Lancaster Barnstormers.

The Ducks have been marching on without their former renaissance man; Lew Ford, who was purchased by the Baltimore Orioles.  Previous to Ford's departure, Ryan Garko's sizzling bat was purchased by the Tampa Bay Rays.  That's a bunch of offensive production the Ducks will have to somehow make up for.  Compounding the Ducks line-up issues, heavy hitting Brandon Sing last played on May 11th.  And in one another transaction, the rights to Javier Colina were traded to the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs for a player to be named later.

To bolster the roster, Long Island welcomed back Matt Esquivel, who started last night's game as the team's DH.  Last night, Ray Navarrete played first base in Brandon Sing's continued absence.  Jake McOwen was in left where Lew Ford often patrolled.

Last night, Ducks' starter, and ace, Mike Loree, struggled through a second consecutive rough start.  Only this game, he suffered a little more than usual.  He was accidentally hit in the head by his catcher, Josh Johnson, on an attempted throw down to second base in the third inning.  Mike stayed in the game, but was removed the following inning.  He lasted four innings, and surrendered three runs; two earned; on five hits.  He walked three and struck out three before giving way to reliever Jason Monti.

Ray Navarrete's RBI single put the Ducks up by one after the first.  Somerset tied the game in the top half of the third, only to give the run back in the bottom half of the inning when Jake McOwen doubled home Kraig Binick with the go ahead run.

Mike Loree encountered trouble in the fourth.  After two runs and three hits, his day was done with the Ducks behind 4-3 at the time.  In the sixth inning, Somerset pounded out three more runs against Jason Monti.  The Patriots scored on a two run triple, and plated another run on a dropped strike three by Josh Johnson, for a 7-3 lead.

After a good crowd stretch, the Ducks stormed back with four runs in the home half of the seventh.  Bryant Nelson had an RBI single.  Ray Navarrete's bases loaded base hit drove in two more, and Shawn Williams scored the fourth run on a wild pitch.

After Somerset scored one run in the top of the eighth, the Ducks took their turn again, and scored three more.  Dan Lyons had an RBI single.  Bryant Nelson doubled Lyons home.  And Jake McOwen followed with a single to plate Nelson.

Connor Graham, Jeremy Hill, and Jon Meloan combined to pitch the final three innings and preserve Ducks' victory number thirteen on the season in their twentieth game played.


SPECIAL NOTE:
Earlier this season, nine year Somerset Patriots veteran, Jeff Nettles, became the Atlantic League's All-Time Career Hits leader.  Atlantic League Story Link





Mike.BTB

L.I. Ducks ~ First Taste of Sugar Land Not So Sweet

From the desk of:   THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

LONG ISLAND DUCKS:  Skeeters Outlast Long Islanders in First Ever Meetings Between Teams.


First Ever Final:
Ducks     1
Skeeters  2


For the Ducks, it was hello Texas, and good-bye six game winning streak.  Long Island's first taste of Sugar Land wasn't so sweet.  Locked in a 1-1 battle, the Skeeters walked off with their first ever win over the Long Island Ducks with a game winning base hit in the ninth.  And for the Skeeters, who just came off a dreadful road trip, it guess it was just good to be home.


Lew Ford scored the only Long Island run of the night in the second inning on James McOwen's rbi single.  Sugar Land tied the game in the fifth, off a Dan Lyons error.


Otherwise, starting pitcher, Randy Keisler, surrendered only two hits over five innings pitched.  He walked one, struck out five, and allowed no earned runs.  Eric Niesen pitched a perfect sixth.  Jeremy Hill took care of the seventh and eighth innings allowing only a hit.  The Skeeters rallied against Connor Graham in the ninth.


Because of the travel involved, Friday night's game was only Game One of what will be an unconventional six game series in Sugar Land between May 11th through May 16th.

TONIGHT

GAME TWO of SIX

LONG ISLAND DUCKS

vs.

Sugar Land Skeeters

From

CONSTELLATION FIELD

in BIG TEXAS

Mike.BTB

L.I. Ducks ~ Thwart Revs in Game One of Finals Rematch

From the desk of:   THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

The Rematch

Game One Final:

Revs    2

Ducks  5

LONG ISLAND DUCKS:  Fire Opening Round at Invading York Revolution.

The first meeting between these two teams since last year's Atlantic League finals came under threat of rain drops at Bethpage Ballpark.  But the Ducks and Revolution went on to engage in an old fashioned pitchers duel.  Joe Esposito turned himself around sooner rather than later like I thought he would after offering up two very sub-par starts his last two times on the hill.


Through the first five innings, Joe Esposito and York starter, Ryan Feierabend, kept each other scoreless.  Then Long Island managed one run in the sixth on Ryan Garko RBI single.  Joe Esposito pitched into the seventh inning allowing the two-time defending champs no runs, surrendering two hits, four walks, and striking out five, before being lifted for Jeremy Hill.

But the Ducks were unable to keep Espo on the winning side of the ledger as Hill gave up two runs in the eighth.  Jeremy Hill did get credit for the win however after the Ducks struck back with four runs in the bottom of the frame.

Brandon Sing connected on a solo home run.  Renaissance man, Lew Ford, knocked two more runs home with a triple.  Then scored on James McOwen's single.  That's four runs across, and a 5-2 Ducks final.

The Revs dropped to a circuit low 3-8 on the young season, and sit in last place of the Freedom Division.  After their fourth consecutive win, the Ducks are now 7-4 and gaining fast on the first place Bridgeport Bluefish in the Liberty Division.


Wednesday's scheduled Ducks' starter is Bob Zimmermann.

THE REMATCH ~ GAME TWO

WEDNESDAY NIGHT

York Revolution

vs.

LONG ISLAND DUCKS

From

BETHPAGE BALLPARK

Long Island, New York

Mike.BTB

L.I. Ducks ~ Off "Two" a Good Start

From the desk of:   THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Atlantic League

of Professional Baseball

Fifteenth Anniversary Season

LONG ISLAND DUCKS:  March of the Ducks Is On.

So far, two games, two wins.  That's how Duck fans like it.  The march towards another division title is on.

Long Island helped the Somerset Patriots open their 15th season of Atlantic League Baseball by handing their hosts a pair of defeats.  Game Three of their Opening Day four game series is tonight with the series concluding Sunday.

Last night, the big bat of Brandon Sing finally said hello with a double off the center field wall.  The knock was his first hit as a Long Island Duck.  And his RBI count is now up to three. Ryan Garko was the only Duck with multiple hits in the game, and Lew Ford hit his first home run for the visitors.

Coach Baez tabbed Dan Meyer as starter number two.  Last night he threw five innings of four hit ball.  Dan allowed one earned run, walked three, and struck out four to earn his first win of the season.  Making his second appearance, John Meloan pitched a shaky ninth inning, but still posted his first save in a 6-4 final.

On Thursday, Long Island opened the season with a resounding 9-4 win over the Patriots as Ray Navarrete started his 2012 campaign with a boom.  Long Island's long time second baseman went 5 for 5, with a double, two RBI, and a ninth inning home run to put the Ducks' first win of the season safely out of Somerset's reach.

Mike Loree resumed his role as staff ace, and pitched 5.1 innings in the opener.  He struck out six batters and only walked one, but got touched for six hits and three earned runs.  Loree was removed in the sixth inning with the score tied at three apiece.  He'd get a no decision for his efforts.  Jeff Lyman entered the game and kept Somerset where they were.  He earned his first win in doing so.  Jeremy Hill was touched for a run in the eighth, while Jon Meloan finished the game in a non-save situation.

TONIGHT

LONG ISLAND DUCKS

SP - Joe Esposito

vs.

Somerset Patriots

From

Somewhere in New Jersey

ATLANTIC LEAGUE:   Welcome to Texas Gentlemen.

Fans in Sugar Land didn't have to wait too long for their first taste of victory over Atlantic League competition.  The organization's first ever victory came Friday night via an overwhelming effort against the York Revolution.  The Sugar Land Skeeters inaugurated their season and new ballpark with a split of two games played so far.  But the tremendous fan turn out has made their weekend an outstanding success already.  On both Opening Night and Friday as well, 7,500 fans packed brand new Constellation Field each time.

In Texas fashion, the Skeeters went about their first victory in a big way.  The League's newest team corralled the visiting Revolution and gave the defending Atlantic League champs a good ol' 10-1 branding.

With a 3-0 lead, starting pitcher; Ryan McKeller was relieved after four innings.  He surrendered no runs, one hit, one walk, and struck out one.  For trivia sake, he is credited with the Skeeters' first win.  Will Startup and the bullpen took over, covering the remaining five innings.

The long-time Somerset Patriots' stand-out and crowd favorite; Josh Pressley; is now a member of the Sugar Land Skeeters.  Friday night, he said hello to his new home crowd with a two run home run in the first inning.  Josh then singled in the fourth, and scored on Colt Morton's home run.  Things went down hill fast for York after that.

Congratulations to Gary Gaetti and the Sugar Land Skeeters on their first every victory.

Mike.BTB

L.I. Ducks ~ The Pond Hurlers; 2012 Ducks Pitching

From the desk of:   THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Long Island Ducks

2012 Positional Players - Preview

Long Island Ducks; Gearing Up For Another Run at Title

LONG ISLAND DUCKS:  The Ducks' Ace Pitcher and 2011 Atlantic League Pitcher of the Year, Returns for a Second Season in the Pond.



Last season, if there were questions regarding the Ducks' pitching, it centered around Mike Parisi and Mike Loree.  And the question was - How long would they last?  With the fine seasons both were having, it was only a matter of time before affiliated baseball came seeking their services.  And sure enough, Mike Parisi was the first to go.  Mike Loree followed.  Only, Mike Loree came back for the playoffs, and pitched Long Island into the championship round against York.


After Mike and Mike, the Ducks were desperately thin at starting pitching last season.  But Long Island possessed a rather remarkable bullpen that over came many deficiencies in the starting rotation.  In the end, Long Island's pitching held up.  It was the offense that disappeared against the York Revolution in the Finals.


That's all behind us now.  The 2012 season is here.



Last season's Atlantic League Pitcher of the Season; Mike Loree; returns to the Long Island Ducks for his second season.  He won the League's pitching triple crown last season with 14 wins, 131 strikeouts, and sported a league low 1.98 era.  Mike will start the season off against the Somerset Patriots this evening.


Gustavo Chacin will most likely serve as the number two starter behind Loree.  In 2005, he went 13-9 with the Toronto Blue Jays.  Over 58 major league starts, the 31 year old owns a 27-17 overall record.  Last year, he split time between AAA-Buffalo, and Oklahoma City of the Pacific Coast League.


Jason Monti returns to the club after pitching in 20 games out of the bullpen for the Ducks last year. He did not start a game last season, but in his two previous seasons; one with Somerset, and one spent in the Frontier League, he made 36 starts in 45 appearances.


Eric Niesen is no stranger to me.  Drafted by the New York Mets, he played his first season in Brooklyn with the Cyclones; A-NYPL.  Raised through the Mets' system as a starter, in 2011, he appeared in 51 games, all in relief.




Randy Keisler is a 36 year old lefty.  He played for Long Island in 2010, and is a veteran of 13 seasons mostly in AAA.  Last season he played in the L.A. Dodgers organization.  He made 19 starts and posted a 7-7 win/loss record.


Joe Esposito started 14 games for Reading of the Eastern League last season.  But the 33 year old is most likely headed for the Ducks' bullpen.  In 375 career minor league innings pitched, he has amassed 405 strikeouts.


Connor Graham spent the last two seasons playing for the Cleveland Indians' affiliate in AA-Akron.  He appeared in 43 games last season; 39 came in relief.  In 79 innings, he struck out 65 batters, and posted a 3.43 era.



Jeff Lyman started the 2011 season playing Rookie Ball, and eventually made his way to AA-Springfield.  The 25 year old made 35 appearances, all in relief.  In 49 innings pitched, he struck out 39 batters, but also walked 32 batters as well.


Jon Meloan comes to the Ducks with loads of AAA experience.  This may be Long Island's closer this season.  Over 372 innings pitched in his 6 year minor league career, he has amassed 433 strikeouts, while issuing 180 base on balls.


Dan Meyer will be another potential high strikeout pitcher.  But he walks far too many batters.  He has 103 games, and 113 innings pitched worth of MLB experience.


Travis Minix appeared in 11 games for the Somerset Patriots last season.  He also pitched for Somerset's 2008 and 2009 championship teams.  He has 6 seasons of AAA experience.


Retuning from last season to bolster the bullpen once again, will be the dependable duo of Jeremy Hill and Bob Zimmerman.  Hill, the ten year baseball veteran posted an 8-2 record with a 2.91 era for the Ducks out of the pen last season.





Mike.BTB

L.I. Ducks ~ Take Opening Game

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

LONG ISLAND DUCKS:   GAME ONE FINAL

S. Maryland Blue Crabs     3

LONG ISLAND DUCKS   6

Ducks Lead Series 1-0

Best of Five

 

The Webbed Nine Employ An Old Formula in Tonight's Win Over Southern Maryland.

 

In one of today's tabloids (Newsday), today's Long Island starter Mike Loree revealed that upon signing his contract with the Pirates organization, he requested he be allowed to pitch with the Ducks during their post-season run.  Of course, PITT kindly obliged.  Mike said the guys in the Ducks   clubhouse were a very tight bunch and that winning a Championship with them would be extremely special.  The idea is to excel and graduate from a team like the Ducks; hopefully up into affiliated Baseball.  But he wanted very much to be here; now; with the Long Island Ducks; where he pitched masterfully for them for most of the regular season, and now wants to see it all the way through.


Tonight was a step in the right direction.  Mike Loree hasn't been quite the same dominant hurler he was prior to leaving the Ducks.  Maybe lack of run support was to blame.  But it shouldn't be anything to be too concerned about.  Tonight, the Ducks had to settle for him just being damn good.  He was looking a little hittable early on.  Southern Maryland touched him for five hits and two runs over his first three innings pitched.  But Long Island didn't leave him pondering a 2-1 deficit on the mound for too long.  The Ducks scored five more times for Loree before the fourth inning even began.


In a sense, the game was a welcome return to a proven formula the Ducks relied on all season long.  As Mike Loree set down opponents and accumulated scoreless innings pitch, the Long Island offense was busy building up handsome leads.  The Blue Crabs actually out-hit the Ducks Wednesday 13-9; but Long Island was able to string theirs together consecutively and clearly more effectively.  And Matt Padgett was able to turn up some power for good measure.


In the Ducks' home first and with one out, Ray Navarrete doubled, then advanced to third on a wild pitch.  John Rodriguez; back in the clean-up spot; drove him home with a sac-fly to left for the first run of the game.  The Blue Crabs followed that up by making Mike Loree sweat through a tough second inning with four hits leading to two earned runs and a Blue Crab lead.


But like I said, the lead was short lived.  Long Island went to work against Southern Maryland starter; Virgil Vasquez in the bottom half of the second and effectively ended Vasquez' night.  With one out, Matt Padgett blasted the first home run of the series to tie the game at two apiece.  Three consecutive singles from Freddy Thon; Kraig Binnick; and Kinard Jones; and a Blue Crab throwing error allowed the Ducks' third run to score.  Then Ray Navarrete grounded out but Kraig Binnick scored an unearned run on the play to make it a 4-1 game heading into the third.


John Rodriguez led off the home third with a single.  J.R. House followed with another single.  A fielder's choice hit into by Matt Esquivel made it first and third with one out.  Then, Matt Padgett promptly singled to center driving in Rodriguez from third.  Kraig Binnick came up and slapped another Ducks' hit driving in Esquivel for the Ducks' second run of the third inning and a 6-2 lead.


Mike Loree settled down.  After the shaky start and striking out only one batter over the first three innings, he struck out three batters over his last three frames while allowing just three more hits and a walk after six completed trips to the mound.  He left the game staked to a 6-2 lead as Coach Baez decided to go to his bullpen and put the ball into the hands of Jeremy Hill for the seventh.


Jeremy Hill kept the Blue Crabs quiet over his two innings pitched.  Although he gave up three hits, he allowed Southern Maryland nothing more.


In to pitch the Long Island ninth inning came Jon Hunton.  It was a strange call in my opinion.  He was a late September acquisition who made three regular season appearances prior to the playoffs.  He allowed the Blue Crabs to get within 6-3, but then shut down the remaining batters to face him; and striking out the last.  A little bump withstanding; it was a good call....I guess.  But I do question Coach Baez' trust in Bubbie Buzachero right now.


The Long Island Ducks win Game One of the Liberty Division Championship Series.  Game Two of this best of five match-up is scheduled for Thursday evening at Bethpage Park, Long Island.

*   *   *   *   *

TONIGHT

THURSDAY

September 22, 2011

ATLANTIC LEAGUE

LIBERTY DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Best of Five

AtlanticLeague.com

LongIslandDucks

GAME TWO

Southern Maryland Blue Crabs  (0-1)

vs.

LONG ISLAND DUCKS  (1-0)

From

The Ballpark at Bethpage

LONG ISLAND, N.Y.

Mike.BTB

L.I. Ducks ~ Turn Back The Road Warriors

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE



LONG ISLAND DUCKS:  Winning Streak Hits Seven Games.


A first inning 1-0 deficit meant little to Long Island.  Picking up where they left off before Monday's break in the schedule, the Ducks waisted no time erasing that deficit with two runs in the second inning, and for good measure, two more in the third.


Freddie Thon doubled home both runs for Long Island in the second inning scoring Matt Esquivel and Matt Padgett.  In the third inning, back-to-back doubles by J.T. House and Matt Esquivel scored Javier Colina and John Rodriguez respectively, making the game a 4-1 affair favoring the Ducks.


After that first inning, starting pitcher Dave Williams kept things quiet and departed the game on the winning side after five innings against the Road Warriors.  In only his second start for the Ducks in seventeen appearances this season, the Road Warriors touched him for eight hits, but only mustered the one run against him.  He walked one batter and struck out five before giving way to Bob Zimmermann for the sixth.


That's when the Road Warriors made things close.  After pitching a scoreless sixth inning, Zimmermann needed help from Valerio De Los Santos and Jeremy Hill to keep the Ducks on top after being charged with two earned runs in the top of the seventh inning.  De Los Santos allowed a hit and one of those runs while Hill allowed a hit and plunked a batter before getting the third out.


The Ducks struck again in the home half of the seventh.  Kinnard Jones led off the inning with a double.  He advanced to third and then scored on a Javier Colina sac-fly to make it a 5-3 game.


Jeremy Hill stayed in to pitch the eighth inning and struck out two of the three batters he faced.  Then, Ehren Wassermann was called upon to close the game for Long Island in the ninth inning.  The Road Warriors made a go of it.  But Wassermann finally closed out the game after giving up a run for his tenth save of the season.

The Ducks are now winners of seven straight.  They improved their second-half record to 24-7; 4.5 games ahead of second place Bridgeport.  Overall, the Ducks are now 64-30 this year.  So far this season, they are the only Atlantic League team above sixty victories.





Mike.BTB

L.I. Ducks ~ Hook Bluefish With First Place on the Line

From the desk of:  WADDLING AROUND BROOKLYN




LONG ISLAND DUCKS:  Taking on the Surging Bridgeport Bluefish After Dropping Two of Three to Lancaster.  Heading Into Tonight, Ducks Led Bluefish By Mere Half-Game in Second-Half Standings.


Tuesday Night Final:
Ducks.......7
Bluefish....5

Second Half - Liberty Division

Long Island Ducks     18-6      *

Bridgeport Bluefish    17-8    1.5  GB

Delayed; but in one of the few games that wasn't rained-out in the local area, the Long Island Ducks hosted the Bridgeport Bluefish in a second-half battle for first place of the Liberty Division.  Both teams were 8-2 over their last ten games entering tonight.  The Bluefish were only a half game behind Long Island with a 16-7 record.  Last year's A.L. Champion is mounting a second-half surge I thought they were capable of back in June; but it was a surge which never materialized for them before the first half ended.  Before tonight's final, the 17-7 Ducks were coming off a series in which they dropped two games out of three to the Lancaster Barnstormers.


Long Island's Ruddy Lugo started in search of his fifth win of the season.  After six innings pitched, he left the game with the Ducks staked to a 7-3 lead.  He allowed the Bluefish seven hits and surrendered four earned runs.  He walked four batters and struck out four before giving way to Jeremy Hill for the seventh inning.


Bridgeport jumped on Ruddy Lugo right away.  A walk; double; and two singles plated three first inning runs on three hits for the Bluefish.


Long Island got them all back plus one in the second inning.  John Rodriguez reclaimed the League lead in RBI by leading-off the inning with his 15th home run of the season and accumulating his 69th RBI of the season.  John Rodriguez led the League earlier in the season before being sidelined by a few injuries.  He's found his way back to the top, ahead of team mate, J,R. House.  Bridgeport's Wes Bankston is third in the League.  Kraig Binick then tripled home J.R. House and Matt Esquivel who reached base on consecutive singles.  Kinnard Jones got Binick home with a sac-fly for a 4-3 Ducks lead.


Bridgeport tied the game at four apiece with a run off Ruddy Lugo in the fifth inning.  But the Ducks picked up three runs in their sixth inning allowing Ruddy Lugo to leave on the winning side of this game.  J.R. House led-off with his 17th home run of the year.  Kraig Binick reached first on an E3 to load the bases after Matt Esquivel and Matt Padgett both singled.  Esquivel scored when Dan Lyons grounded into a double-play.  And Kinnard Jones singled home Matt Padgett to make the game 7-4 Ducks.


Jeremy Hill allowed the Bluefish a run in the seventh inning to make it a 7-5 game.  In all he pitched two innings allowing only the one run.  He gave up one hit and a walk.  Three strikeouts highlighted his night.


Bubbie Buzachero pitched the ninth inning and set down all three batters he faced with strikeout to end the game.  It was his 14th save of the season.  And for Ruddy Logo, he earned his fifth win of the year against two losses.


Tuesday night's win ups the Ducks record to 58-30 over-all on the season; the League's best.




Mike.BTB

L.I. Ducks ~ Popping Corks in York

From the desk of:  A QUACK FROM BROOKLYN



LONG ISLAND DUCKS:  CLINCH 1st HALF TITLE!

The Ducks' victory over the York Revolution Monday, coupled with South Maryland's loss to Bridgeport means Long Island has clinched first place in the first half Liberty Division race.  In League leading fashion, they assured themselves a spot in this year's post-season while also putting to rest last year's disappointment of not making the playoffs after an Atlantic League record six consecutive appearances from 2004 through 2009.

A pop-up just beyond second base was the last out the game and an inning Bubbie Buzachero couldn't help but put his stamp on.  But when the popped-up ball landed softly in SS-Dan Lyon's glove, any anxiety of closing the game was now energy devoted toward celebration.  All the jubilant Ducks  assembled on York's infield grass between second and third base where they exchanged congratulatory five fives; low fives; hugs; and hand shakes.

But this win did not come with out a price.   Starting pitcher Mike Lorre; having a dominant season; was pitching another strong game before he was pulled in the seventh inning with an undetermined injury.  I later heard during the York broadcast he left due to a groin strain and should be fine.  Hmmm; you know how that goes.


Mike Loree allowed a lead-off home run in the seventh inning.  Two pitches later, he must have felt something and Coach Baez wasn't about to take any chances with his ace.  He called upon his bullpen to finish the game for Long Island.  In Mike Loree's six innings and two batters of work, he allowed the lone home run and a total of only two hits.  Mike walked one batter and struck out six.  The Ducks' clincher was Loree's League leading tenth victory of the season.  He remains as the only Atlantic League pitcher with an ERA below 2.00, as he sports a 1.71 mark.


The Ducks clinched the division's first half race with a 37-21 record.  They beat out the South Maryland Blue Crabs by five games as of Monday.  Their 37 wins are tops in the League.  The Freedom Division's top two teams; Lancaster Barnstormers and York Revolution; have 33 victories each; good for second overall in the Atlantic League thus far.  This week (Friday) marks the end of the first half of the Atlantic League season.


Early season highlights include:


Kraig Binick batted over .400 for a substantial stretch beginning with the start of the season till right before suffering facial injuries that he's since recovered from.  His batting average is still at a lofty .366 this season which ranks him second in the League.


As part of overall solid seasons, Matt Esquivel and Javier Colina presently round out the .300 hitters for Long Island.  Matt is batting .314 and Colina is sporting a .311 average on the season.  Matt Esquivel has seven home runs and twenty-eight RBI to go along with his .300 average.


John Rodriguez has been beset by a some nagging injuries.  He missed a couple games at first with a sore thumb.  He now seems to be battling a barking shoulder and has missed quite a few games lately.  Before being side-tracked with ailments, he was leading the Atlantic League with 42 RBI.  There's a new League leader (46) now, but John is still ranked fourth in the League despite missing time.  JR House is third in the League with 43 and teammate Javier Colina has 41 to place three Ducks among the top seven RBI leaders.


Javier Colina and JR House are also creeping up on the League leaders in home runs.  The Atlantic League leader has twelve.  Colina is right behind with eleven and House has ten of his own.


The Ducks 359 runs scored lead the League.


On the mound, as mentioned, Mike Loree is quite the story this season.  Mike was named Pitcher of the Month for June.  He's the League Leader in wins and ERA and is also one strikeout short of being tied for the League lead in that category.  As great a season he's having, somewhere in the back of Duck Fan's minds, the thought that maybe it's only just a matter of time before an MLB team steps in to purchase his contract has to be creeping into one's thinking.  No?


While that would be very unfortunate in the Ducks' scheme of things, it's not today's reality.  But in that event, the Ducks' pitching is still quite capable.  Mike Parisi has been a fine Number Two guy in the rotation.  He got roughed up a bit in his last outing.  But has been nothing short of solid this season.
He's a League leader in strikeouts, and as I hinted, his ERA was inflated a bit due to his last outing.


After Loree and Parisi, it's fair to say the Ducks are lacking depth in the starting rotation.  Shane Youman may still yet emerge and be effective in the second half.  Joselo Diaz has had his problems on the hill this season. 


But that's where the bullpen has come in so well this season.  Guys like Jason Monti and Bob Zimmermann keep the opposition honest.  But Coach Baez relies on Jeremy Hill; Ehren Wassermann for the stickiest situations.    The Tennessee Thrilla' -  Bubbie Buzachero closes things out for Long Island but not without stomach-churning excitement.  He must be doing something right though, as he has a League leading 11 saves.


The Ducks continue their series tonight against the York Revolution, who are trying to overtake the Lancaster Barnstormers for first place in the Freedom Division before Friday.  York is only 1/2 game behind Lancaster.


Check out the Long Island Ducks celebration picture in the locker room:  LIDucks.com

Check out The Ducks Division Champs banner here:  AtlanticLeague.com





Mike.BTB

L.I. DUCKS ~ Closer To A First Half Divison Clincher

From the desk of:  WADDLING THROUGH BROOKLYN

LONG ISLAND DUCKS:

Off Day; State of the Pond Address.

The Ducks Are Well On Their Way To Wiping Away The Memory Of Missing The Playoffs in 2010.   With Less Than Two Weeks To Go, The Webbed Crusaders Are Zeroing In On a First Half Clinch.


The South Maryland Blue Crabs salvaged the last game of their series against the Long Island Ducks Sunday afternoon to avoid dropping behind Long Island by six games.  For the Ducks, the first half standings are twelve games away from being written in stone.  They lead the Liberty Division by a healthy five games over South Maryland.  Somewhere around July 9, 2011, the Atlantic League's First Half division winners will be decided as the first half comes to an end and the standings get frozen in time.


Winning the division obviously has it's advantages once the playoffs start.  But the Long Island Ducks also sport the League's best record.  And there are playoff advantages to that too.  The Ducks' record of  33-17 is tops so far.  Behind them is the Freedom Division leader; Lancaster Barnstormers; with a
30-19 record.  As division leaders, they are the only two clubs with thirty or more wins.


The Long Island Ducks disappointingly missed the playoffs last season.  This year, they have played with a near-complete balance to their game and are perhaps the most well rounded team in the League today.


Batting for average; timely hitting; and power compliment strong starting pitching, while backed up by shut-down bullpen work.  All have equalled first place and current King of the Hill status for the Webbed Spikes Nine.


Mike Loree; the League's top hurler in nearly all major categories; and his mound-partner; Mike Parisi; a League co-leader in strikeouts, have emerged as the Atlantic League's most lethal starting pitching combination this season.  While there were reasonable expectations for Mike Parisi heading into the season, Mike Loree seized the most of a second opportunity to pitch in the starting rotation. He's anchoring the staff after not earning a spot heading into opening day.  But the departure of Lenny DiNardo presented Loree with another opportunity and he nailed it.  Loree and Parisi; the Mike and Mike Show; are a combined 13-3 this season.  After Loree and Parisi, the Ducks might be considered a little thin in the rotation.  More about that towards the end of this post.


Stocked with firemen like Ehren Wassermann; Jeremy Hill; emerging Bob Zimmermann; and of course, the Bethpage Thrilla' Bubbie Buzachero; the Ducks' bullpen is well armed for long relief if necessary.  Of particular note, the work Eren Wassermann has put in so far should not go under spoken.  He and Buzachero have a combined 14 saves.  There were hopes former Met; Duaner Sanchez could be a big contributor this season.  But in only nine appearances he was largely ineffective and is presently inactive.  However, Shane Youman has come on lately, and in five appearances is yet to allow a run.


On the offensive side of things, the Ducks lead the Atlantic League in runs (308) scored.  Kraig Binick batted over .400 for a substantial time before missing a week with facial fractures.  His .352 batting average is still second overall in the League.  Javier Colina is batting .303; Matt Esquivel is at .321; and John Rodriguez is working on a .298 average.


Javier Colina is second in the League in home runs (10) and sixth in RBI.  John Rodriguez, despite missing five games recently due to a sore thumb, is still tied for the League lead with 42 RBI.  After Colina's ten home runs, there are no shortages for power in the Ducks line-up.  Ray Navarrete and J.R. House are second on the team with eight apiece.  John Rodriguez comes in next with seven.  And Matt Esquivel and Lew Ford have six each. 


John Rodriguez leads all Atlantic Leaguers in RBI, but quite a few Ducks are driving in runs also.  Javier Colina with thirty-six and J.R House with thirty-four, round out the team's top three.


Defensively, I'd only offer maybe Ray Navarrete and Javier Colina need to tighten things up a bit up the middle.  Matt Esquivel has had his moments in right field, but is doing a respectable job.  Otherwise, the Ducks are a fundamentally sound bunch.


The Lancaster Barnstormers are only 5-5 in their last ten games.  Last year's champion; the York Revolution are hot on their trail.  Winners of nine out of their last ten, they are only one game behind first place Lancaster in the Freedom Division.  As a matter of fact, York IS the hottest team in the League right now. 


Then enter the Ducks who are winners of seven out of their last ten games.  Many thought, after losing their top two sluggers, who's contracts were purchased by the Mexican League, the Blue Crabs would fade away in the Liberty Division standings..  But they stuck around and took turns occupying first place with the Ducks before Long Island finally took a firm grip on the division.  Bridgeport started to surge and I thought they'd over-take South Maryland at some point.  But they are mired at .500 and can't seem to stop running in place.  Last place Camden recently visited Long Island and gave them all they could handle with a four game series split.


After an off day Monday, The Ducks play host to the white hot York Revolution for three games.  That should be a very interesting series for the Ducks.  Joselo Diaz, who's struggled this season, and Ruddy Lugo are my guess to start two games during the series.  A third starter is harder to find.  Perhaps Shane Youman gets called to man the hill for a game.  York will escape without having to face Loree and Parisi after they pitched against South Maryland over the weekend.


ATLANTIC LEAGUE NEWS:
During the bottom of the fourth inning in a game between the Lancaster Barnstormers and the Somerset Patriots, Lancaster manager; Butch Hobson; argued over a play at first base with first base umpire; Chris Rick.

A heated Butch Hobson then gestured as if to throw the Umpire out of the game. Well, that bought Hobson an ejection. Coach Hobson then repeated the gesture throwing the Umpire out of the game again. He then removed the first base bag out of the ground and took it with him to the dugout, where he retrieved a Sharpie; signed the bag; and gave it to a young fan in the first row. The home crowd went wild as the game continued without a first base bag.




Mike.BTB

L.I. DUCKS ~ Burrying Blue Crabs In The Sand

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE



Long Island Ducks:  Sink South Maryland Blue Crabs Deeper Into The Standings.


Another game, another winning ninth inning nail biter.  Meh..., it's all becoming rather routine for the Ducks these days.  Especially when you're the ones doing the late inning winning.


After a tremendously well pitched 1-1 duel, the ninth inning would decide everything.  Two runs for the Ducks in the top of the inning and only one run for the Blue Crabs in the bottom of the home ninth, means the Long Islanders are now firmly atop the Liberty Division after sinking South Maryland to six full games behind first.


Mike Parisi continued his co-starring role as part of the Mike and Mike (Loree) Show.  An error by third baseman Matt Padgett resulted in an unearned run in what was the only mar on Parisi's stellar line.  He pitched six full innings; allowing six hits; no walks; while striking out eight Crabs.  He got a no-decision but his five wins still makes him sixth best in the League.  Mike Loree is number one with eight.  Mike Parisi lowered his season ERA to 3.11 which is fourth best in the League.  And with eight more strikeouts Saturday night, Mike Parisi tied his team-mate Mike Loree for the League lead with sixty-four apiece.


The bullpen was up to the task again.  Jeremy Hill took care of the seventh and eighth innings.  He allowed two hits and struck out three to keep the Ducks in this contest until they managed to score in the ninth.


That's when Bubbie Buzachero came in.  And he made things interesting.  Blue Crabs' lead-off batter Yunesky Sanchez greeted Buzachero with a triple.  Buzachero struck out the next batter.  Then Sanchez would score on a sac-fly to center field.  Bubbie took care of the last batter on three pitches for the Ducks win and Bubbie's eleventh Save of the season.


In the third inning, Ray Navarrete (single) scored from third on Matt Esquivel's single.  And after Maryland tied the game with a run in the fifth inning, they traded donuts till the ninth.


J.R. House and Freddie Thon led off the top of the ninth with back-to-back singles.  They both advanced on Kraig Binick's put out.  Kinnard Jones was intentionally walked to load the bases for Ray Navarrete who was hit by a pitch to move everyone up one base and the Ducks second run of the game, home.  With the bases still loaded, Freddie Thon scored when Javier Colina hit a sac-fly to center.


The Blue Crabs came up a run short during last-licks.  Final score; DUCKS 3;  BLUE CRABS 2.


The series finale is Sunday.



Mike.BTB

L.I. DUCKS ~ In Search of Blue Crabs

From the desk of:  A BROOKLYN QUACK





Long Island Ducks:  Off To South Maryland For A Liberty Division Showdown With The 2nd Place Blue Crabs.

SPLIT TOUGH FOUR GAME SERIES WITH CAMDEN.

FINISH HOMESTAND 5-2.


The Liberty Division's last place club; the Camden River Sharks; came into Long Island Sound and bit at the Ducks throughout this four game series. 


After a ninth inning bloop, walk-off infield hit by Ray Navarrete won a tight game Tuesday, Wednesday night,  Long Island let a 6-0 lead get away....  Then blew a 7-4 lead in the ninth inning.  Only to lose it all in the fourteenth inning.


In the ninth inning of Wednesday night's game, Bubbie Buzachero sabotaged his own cause when he threw wide of first base with an errant pick-off throw , allowing a runner to score.  He gave up three runs in all, allowing Camden to tie the game in the course of blowing his first game of the season.


The Ducks played great defense in the extra innings to keep them alive until the fourteenth and final inning.  FINAL SCORE;  8-7  Camden over Long Island.


With Camden enjoying a two games to one series lead, the teams headed into Thursday night's game.
Camden's Eddy Camacho and Long Island's Shane Youman went at each other pitch for pitch over the first six innings of the game before Long Island made the game's first move to the bullpen.


In Youman's six innings of work, Shane allowed only three hits; no runs; walked one and struck out two.  In 5 games and 12.1 innings pitched this season, he has yet to yield a run.  Camden's Eddy Camacho kept the Ducks quiet for seven full innings.  Three hits and one walk were all he allowed while striking out three.


The winning pitcher of this game was Jeremy Hill who pitched marvelously over three innings in relief of Youman.  Two hits; two walks; and two strikeouts was his line against Camden.  His three inning shift on the mound was much needed after Wednesday night's 14 inning affair in which the Ducks used five pitchers out of the pen.  Jeremy Hill chipped in with one inning Wednesday also.


The Ducks won their second game in walk-off fashion in their last three played.  First it was Ray Navarrete delivering a game winning RBI Tuesday.  Thursday, JT House took a turn at being 9th inning hero by driving home John Rodriguez from third base with his own game winning RBI single against a five-infielder shift, for a 1-0 final and a series split with the Sharks.


John Rodriguez returned to action after being given a few days off to nurse a sore thumb.  This was his first game back after sitting out the last five games.  The League's still reigning RBI leader scored the Ducks' winning run but was 0 for 4 in the game.


The Ducks finished their home stand with a 5-2 record.  Both losses came against Camden.  They improved to a now League's best 31-17 record.  They maintain a four game lead over the second place South Maryland Blue Crabs.  And it just so happens, that's where the Long Island Ducks are headed; to South Maryland for a three game weekend series against the Blue Crabs.







Mike.BTB