L.I. Ducks: With Liberty and Playoffs For All

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

LIBERTY DIVISION

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Somerset Patriots

vs

Long Island Ducks

Here we go again.

As if there were any doubt ...

For a fourth consecutive post-season, the Long Island Ducks and Somerset Patriots will battle for the Liberty Division championship.  It's been this way pretty much ever since the league realigned and placed Somerset alongside the Ducks.

The Flock cut it close this season, narrowly capturing the second-half division flag over rival Somerset, and thereby averting a Wild Card scenario.  After a troublesome first-half, in which they finish five games back of the first place Patriots, Long Island finishes strong with a 39-24 mark, two games better than the Patriots, and a 69-57 record overall.  Somerset secures their post-season berth with a 35-28 first-half record and finish the regular season with a 72-54 record overall, three games better than the Ducks. 

Not coincidentally, the Patriots take the first-half head-to-head series six games to three.  The Ducks turn the tables in the second-half head-to-head series, likewise winning six and losing three.  Said another way, these rivals split their regular season series down the middle, posting nine victories apiece.

It goes to show how through the seasons little has changed with regard to this recurring match-up.  The Liberty Division championship series once again features an age old dynamic in which one of the league's strongest offensive teams opposes one of the league's top pitching teams.

Of the two clubs, Long Island is the offensive juggernaut.  The Ducks rank first in home runs and total bases, second in slugging, and third in runs scored and OPS.  Somerset ranks last in home runs, seventh in both total bases and slugging, and fifth in both runs and OPS.  However, the Patriots are second in walks and stolen bases, third in OBP, and fourth in team average.  Whereas the Ducks are fifth in both walks and stolen bases, and sixth in both OBP and team average.

Infielder Justin Trapp leads Somerset with eight home runs, while the Ducks feature three players in double-digits.  David Washington leads Long Island with 24 round-trippers (second in the league), and Taylor Ard is second with sixteen.  The ageless one, Lew Ford leads the team with 73 RBI.  Washington and Travis Snider are tied with 71 RBI.  Second baseman Jordany Valdespin spearheads the offense with a team leading .338/.400/.487 triple slash.  He wins the league batting title by fractions over Somerset's Craig Massey, whom also finishes with a .338 mark.  In addition to leading the Patriots in batting, Massey also leads Somerset with a .418 OBP.  Alfredo Rodriguez leads with 55 RBI, while Jayce Boyd tops the club with a .481 slugging average.

Unfortunately, the Ducks lost the services of Emilio Bonifacio.  At the time his contract is purchased by the Milwaukee Brewers, he was leading the Atlantic League with a .348 average through 70 games.

On the mound, Somerset features one of the top two pitching staffs in the league.  They're first in strikeouts, H/9, K/W, own the league's second best ERA and WHiP, and have issued the second least walks.  Meanwhile, the Ducks rank fifth or sixth in most pitching categories.

This is precisely why Long Island's best hopes for advancing into the Atlantic League championship series rests on the arms and shoulders of their starting rotation.  As John Brownell, Matt Larkins, and Jake Fisher go, so will go the Ducks.  They'll also need effective contributions from Hector Silvestre, Dennis O'Grady, and recently acquired Brett Marshall.

And should the Ducks take a lead late into the game, the old pro Francisco Rodriguez must slam the door closed.  He posts 27 regular season saves and 2.76 ERA, with 42 strikeouts through 42.1 innings pitched.

THE RIVALRY: DUCKS vs. PATRIOTS

Prior to league realignment, the Ducks and Patriots face off in the 2013 league championship series, with Long Island emerging victoriously, three games against two.  The following season, Somerset gets shifted out of the Freedom Division and proceed to win their first Liberty Division title.  In 2015, Long Island flips the script in defeating Somerset two games against one.  If you're a Ducks fan the 2016 series proves epic; for Patriots fans not so much.  Somerset jumps out to a 2-0 series lead, but Long Island storms back winning three straight to capture the Liberty Division flag.  Last season, the Ducks again sweep Somerset, but for a second straight season fall short in the Atlantic League championship series.

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

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

CALL TO ARMS

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

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

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

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

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

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

And therein lies Long Island's problem.

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

L.I. Ducks: Flock Will Go As Far As Triumvirate of Starting Pitchers Take Them

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Ducks own 4.5 game lead over Somerset Patriots 

with nineteen games to go.

Long Island Ducks: Weight of Flock's World Falls on Triumvirate of John Brownell, Jake Fisher, and Matt Larkins.

Less than twenty games remain in the regular season, and the Sugar Land Skeeters have thus far proven themselves to be the most balanced team in the circuit, ranking first or second in near every major pitching and offensive category.  With a first-half title already in the books, the Skeeters again lead the Freedom Division by 6.5 games over the second place Lancaster Barnstormers.

For Long Island rooters, that's a race worth monitoring as Lancaster presently tops the Wild Card standings by 2.5 games over the Flock.  As luck would have it, the Barnstormers arrive on Long Island Tuesday night to open a four game series at Bethpage Ballpark.

In the midst of a six-game win streak, the Ducks enter Tuesday with a 4.5 game lead over the Somerset Patriots.  With their head-to-head regular season series complete, the Flock and Patriots do not meet again down the stretch, thus setting the stage for a rather intriguing race to come.

Somerset, like Sugar Land, has already clinched a first-half title.  Therefore if the Ducks are to face off against the Patriots in a fourth straight Liberty Division post-season showdown, it would behoove them to sustain their present standing and capture the second-half flag, or at the very least, outplay the Lancaster Barnstormers and any other Wild Card contenders.

Easier said than done ...

Long Island's final six games of the regular season are against the Skeeters, all at Sugar Land.

ATLANTIC LEAGUE RANKINGS:

Team Average

• Sugar Land #1;  LONG ISLAND #2;  SOMERSET #5

Team Slugging

• Sugar Land #1;  LONG ISLAND #2;  SOMERSET #7

Team OPS

• Sugar Land #1;  LONG ISLAND #2;  SOMERSET #6

Runs

• Sugar Land #1;  LONG ISLAND #2;  SOMERSET #5

Home Runs

• LONG ISLAND #1; Sugar Land #2; SOMERSET #8

Total Bases

• LONG ISLAND #1; Sugar Land #2; SOMERSET #6

Team ERA

• Sugar Land #1; SOMERSET #2; LONG ISLAND #5

Team WHiP

• Sugar Land #1;  SOMERSET #2;  LONG ISLAND #6

Average Against

• Sugar Land #1;  SOMERSET #2;  LONG ISLAND #6

Strikeouts

• SOMERSET #1;  Sugar Land #2;  LONG ISLAND #3

Which team wins the Liberty Division's second-half title boils down to a pair of factors: whether Long Island's hitting outlasts Somerset's pitching, and how well the Ducks emerge from their six game series against Sugar Land.

The loss of starter Bennett Parry (contract purchased/Taiwan) earlier this month was clearly a major blow to Long Island's rotation.  They've have also negotiated the last two months without the injured Jair Jurrjens.  The Ducks in turn have relied on Tyler Badamo and Hector Silveste to back fill the rotation with mixed results.  The one time Mets farmhand and former Skeeter himself, Tyler Badamo is 3-2 since coming over to the Flock, with a 3.37 ERA through seven starts.  Silvestre comes to the Flock via the Washington Nationals system, and thus far has struggled through his first seven appearances.  He's 2-0 but with a 6.23 ERA, having surrendered 39 hits, 11 walks, and striking out 16 through 30.1 innings pitched.

It goes without saying, then, the burden of leading Long Island towards future successes or failures now rests in the arms, elbows, and shoulders of veteran Flock starting pitchers John Brownell, Matt Larkins, and Jake Fisher.  I'm sure all three would agree their respective performances haven't exactly been up to snuff.

• John Brownell: 9-10 with a 4.56 ERA, 1.713 WHiP, and .271 average against.
• Jake Fisher: 6-6 with a 4.23 ERA, 2.104 WHiP, and .293 average against.
• Matt Larkins: 7-4 with a 4.23 ERA, 2.12 WHiP, and .307 average against.

Despite some unsightly numbers, they're an experienced lot.  But can they seize the day one last time?

L.I. Ducks: John Brownell Sets Atlantic League All-Time Strikeout Record

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

John Brownell Sets Atlantic League 

All-Time Strikeout Record

Long Island Ducks: Flock Keep Pressure On Somerset With 10-0 Whitewashing of Road Warriors; Remain Two Games Back.

Three Long Island pitchers join forces in Saturday's 10-0 whitewashing of the Road Warriors at Bethpage Park.  Starter John Brownell takes charge of the first seven innings, allowing just three hits and three walks, and striking out four en route to his eighth victory of the season.  He faces 29 batters while throwing 114 pitches with 65 going for strikes.  Relievers Fernando Abad and Chris Pike close out the eighth and ninth respectively, allowing a combined two hits, a walk, and striking out three.

At the plate, the Ducks are powered by home runs from Jordany Valdespin, and Travis Snider (whose 66 RBI are second in the league), and four other extra base hits off the bats of Daniel Fields, Anthony Vega, Ramon Cabrera whom goes 3 for 5 with three RBI, and Lew Ford whom was recently recognized as the Atlantic League Player of the Month for July.

In the top of the third, John Brownell notches his first strikeout of the game against Road Warrior lead-off batter Daniel Aldrich.  More significantly, it marks the 738th strikeout of his Atlantic League career, thus setting the league's all-time record.  He adds three more before his night is through.

Long Island all of a sudden is the hottest team in the league, winning eight of their last ten, and nine of their last twelve.  They also remain within striking distance of the Patriots, just two games behind first place.

L.I. Ducks: Flock Overpower Somerset Patriots in Series Opener

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

First Victory Over Somerset Since May

GAME ONE

Patriots   5

Ducks    11

FINAL

Long Island Ducks: John Brownell Ties Atlantic League All-Time Strikeout Record.

A first inning home run by Patriot shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez off John Brownell had many in the crowd at Bethpage Ballpark pondering the potential historic night ahead.  But Lew Ford put them at ease in the bottom half of the frame by singling with the bases loaded and driving in two.  Three batters later, Travis Snider scores from third on a wild pitch giving the Ducks an early 3-1 lead.

Not for long, though ...

Right fielder Justin Pacchioli's double in the top half of the second drives home Somerset's second run of the game.

Then Jordany Valdespin strikes back.  His two-run home run in the bottom of the frame gives John Brownell and the Ducks some much needed breathing room.  The Ducks score an important sixth run in the fifth when Patriots starter David Kubiak issues Ramon Cabrera a bases-loaded walk.

In the top of the sixth, two runs on four straight hits knock John Brownell out of the box.  Somerset again loads the bases against reliever Dennis O'Grady, and score on a 4-3 put out (charged to Brownell), bringing the Patriots within one.

A four run outburst featuring a pair of doubles from Taylor Ard and David Washington in the sixth give the Ducks a commanding 10-5 lead.  Later in the eighth, Ard hits his 12th home run of the season, tying him with David Washington for the team lead.  Ard goes 2 for 4 with three RBI, and lifts his average above the .300 mark.

The bullpen chips in with four innings in relief of starter John Brownell.  They allow no runs, just two hits, one walk, and strikeout six.

• John Brownell leaves on the winning side of a (then) 6-5 game after facing four batters in the sixth.  He improves to 7-8 on the season.  His line against Somerset reads five earned runs on eight hits and a walk, with two strikeouts in five innings pitched.  He faces 23 batters, and throws 90 pitches with 66 (61%) going for strikes.  In the top of the fourth John Brownell strikes out his second batter of the game.  It marks the 737th strikeout of his Atlantic League career, tying him for the all-time lead in Atlantic League history.  His next strikeout will set a new league record.  Brownell's victory over Somerset also marks the 63rd of his Atlantic League career ranking him third all-time.

Monday's series opening victory improves Long Island's record to just 4-9 against the Patriots this season, and brings them within four games of the Liberty Division lead.

L.I. Ducks: Second Half Pennant or Bust

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Somerset leads series 2-0

I - SOM 8; LID 3

II - SOM 6; LID 4

SUNDAY

Somerset Patriots

vs.

Long Island Ducks

FROM

Bethpage Ballbark

Long Island Ducks: Somerset Pitching Winning Out Over Flock Hitting.

Now 35-years young, starter John Brownell continues to struggle in this, his seventh season with the Long Island Ducks.

The Flock's all-time starting pitcher has never finished a full Ducks season with an ERA above four (in 2012, his first season with the Ducks, he posted a 6.61 ERA in only four appearances).  Although his rate of strikeouts is up, he presently owns a 4.25 ERA and a 1.382 WHiP, both well above his Duck career averages to date.

Coming off consecutive wins over Sugar Land and York, Brownell faced the rival Somerset Patriots on Friday at Bethpage Ballpark, allowing four earned runs on eleven hits, no walks, and striking out six through six innings pitched.  Trailing by three, the Ducks closed to within 4-3 of the Patriots in the bottom of the sixth on a pair of Jordany Valdespin RBI.  However, the bullpen would not hold.  Somerset scored twice in the seventh and posted another pair in the ninth en route to an 8-3 series opening victory.

Now trailing the Somerset Patriots by two games in the Liberty Division standings, Tyler Badamo climbs the bump at Bethpage Park for game two against Somerset's Cory Riordan.  Badamo enters Saturday's game with a 2.41 ERA in 18.2 innings over three previous starts since coming over to the Ducks from the New Britain Bees in June.

After trading runs in the first, Long Island takes a 3-1 lead on RBI hits by Taylor Ard and Ramon Cabrera.  The Patriots claw back with three hits and a run in the top of the fifth.  However, Travis Snider answers right back in the bottom of the frame with his team leading eleventh home run of the season.

With one out and runners on first and second in the top of the sixth, Coach Baez pulls Tyler Badamo in favor of reliever Ashur Tolliver.  With two out and the bases loaded, an E-6 allows two base runners home.  All runs are charged to Badamo, who surrenders ten hits but just two earned runs in 5.1 innings of work, walks one and strikes out four.

Coach Baez brings in Carlos Pimentel to pitch the seventh, who promptly surrenders a lead-off home run to Patriots shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez.  Three hits and a fielder's choice later Somerset leads by two.

Long Island fails to score in the their final two at-bats, and drop their second straight to the Patriots, this time by a 6-4 final.

If the Ducks are to meet the Somerset Patriots in the Liberty Division finals for a fourth consecutive season, they must first win the second half title.  Somerset already did their part by winning the first half title, five games ahead of the Ducks whom finished below par with a 30-33 record.  With regards to the season as a whole, Long Island owns a clear offensive edge over the the Patriots.  However, Somerset owns a distinct pitching advantage over the Ducks.  So far, the results speak for themselves.  Entering Sunday's series finale, the Ducks are just 3-8 this season against the Patriots.

L.I. Ducks: Monday Swim 5/21/2018

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Long Island Ducks: Somerset Patriots Continue Getting Better of the Flock.

Make that four losses in six tries at TD Bank Ballpark this season.

On Saturday, John Brownell outlasted mound opponent Cory Riordan en route to his second victory of the season.  After enduring consecutive losses Brownell evened his record, allowing two runs on just four hits and two walks and a pair of strikeouts through six innings pitched.  The bullpen provided three innings of scoreless, one-hit relief.  At the plate, the Ducks struck for 14 hits including a home run by Travis Snider, and doubles by Lew Ford and catcher Wilkin Castillo.

On Sunday, Long Island's ninth inning rally fell just short as they lose the rubber game by a 5-4 final.  Starter Jake Dunning would perhaps admit he's seen better days.  Yanked after just three innings, Jake allowed four earned runs on five hits and four walks, while fanning just one.  Runs driven in by Cody Puckett and Ramon Cabrera got the Ducks to within a run in the top of the ninth, but with only one out and the tying run on third Dan Lyons bounced back to the pitcher and Daniel Fields fanned to end the game.

The Ducks and Patriots will get a short break from each other, as the Flock host the Road Warriors this week.  Then the Patriots make their first visit of the season to Bethpage Ballpark where the Patriots and Ducks will resume hostilities over the Memorial Day weekend.

With Sunday's loss, the Ducks fall two games behind the Liberty Division leading Patriots.

Don't look now, but the Lancaster Barnstormers have won ten in a row.  Yet, they only lead the Freedom Division by 1.5 games over the Sugar Land Skeeters.

At the other end of the spectrum, the Road Warriors have lost ten straight.  Poor guys ... they just finished up a series in Lancaster.  They'll be on Long Island tomorrow.  After which they travel back to York, then head the opposite direction again for a series at New Britain.  That's just one small sample of what they endure throughout their season-long road trip.

Ducks Notes:

• Bennett Parry presently leads the Atlantic League with 23 strikeouts.
• David Washington is among the top five in home runs and RBI.

L.I. Ducks: Francisco Rodriguez Joins The Flock

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Long Island at the Gates!

TONIGHT

Long Island Ducks

vs.

Somerset Patriots

FROM

TD Bank Ballpark

Long Island Ducks: After dropping season opener at Southern Maryland, Flock respond with two straight victories and a series win over the Blue Crabs.

The Blue Crabs stroked 12 hits and six runs against Ducks starter Jiar Jurrgens and reliever Matt Marsh, and pounded out 15 hits overall during Friday's season opener.  Making his Ducks debut, Jurrgens lasted just four innings, allowing four earned runs on eight hits for the loss.

On Saturday, the Ducks took their turn at bat wielding eleven hits and twelve runs.  Starter Jeff Fisher allowed just two earned runs over five innings pitched for the victory.  Three Long Island relievers joined to pitched four no-hit shut-out innings, and fanned five.  Leading off, Jordany Valdespin went 4 for 5 with a home run, three RBI, and four runs scored.  First baseman David Washington went 2 for 5 with a home run and four RBI.  Lew Ford also drove in a trio of runs en route to a 12-2 victory over the Blue Crabs.

Long Island took Sunday's rubber game by a 7-4 final.  Despite pitching in and out of trouble for most of his start, John Brownell walked one and fanned four batters for his first victory of the season.  Dan Lyons was big man on campus with a double and three RBI during a five run first inning.  Vinnie Pestano pitched 1.2 innings for the save.

On that note, the Long Island Ducks announced the signing of former MLB closer Francisco Rodriguez.  Now 36-years old, K-Rod owns a career 52-53 record and 2.86 ERA through 16 seasons and nearly 1,000 innings pitched.  His 437 saves rank fourth all-time behind Mariano Rivera, Trevor Hoffman, and Lee Smith.  He pitched for the 2002 World Series champion Anaheim Angels, while his MLB single-season record of 62 saves in 2008 still stands.

*             *             *

It's never too early in the season for a clash of rivals, particularly when first place is at stake.  Long Island opens a three game series this evening at TD Bank Ballpark against the Somerset Patriots.  The Ducks executed a three game sweep over the Patriots when these teams previously met during last season's Liberty Division finals.  So far, the Patriots are off and running again after recently completing a weekend sweep over the Road Warriors.

Long Island Ducks 2018 Season Preview

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

LONG ISLAND DUCKS BASEBALL CLUB

Atlantic League Champions

2004     2012     2013

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

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

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

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

That being said, let the games begin!

RETURNING PITCHERS

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

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

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

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

NEW PITCHING ACQUISITIONS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

RETURNING POSITION PLAYERS

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

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

NEW POSITION ACQUISITIONS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Extra Innings

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

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

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

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

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

L.I. Ducks: The Long and Quiet Waddle Home

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

2017

ATLANTIC LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

YORK REVOLUTION

Revs Defeat Ducks 3-0

I - YRK 8; LID 7

II - YRK 5; LID 4

III - YRK 3; LID 2

Long Island Ducks: No Joy in Ducksville; Flock Swept Away By Revolution.

Revenge denied.

Long Island's rematch against the York Revolution ends in a three-game TKO.

The Revolution are Atlantic League champions for the third time in their eleven year history, and for a second time coming at the expense of the Long Island Ducks.

The York Revolution effectively slugged their way through the regular season, leading the Atlantic League in home runs; finishing second in runs scored/total bases/team slugging; and third in team average.

Their offensive rampage continued through the post-season.  York hit five home runs in four games against Southern Maryland during the Freedom Division playoffs, then took the wind from beneath the Ducks wings with three more dispiriting home runs during the championship series.

In Game One, a third inning three-run home run struck by York designated hitter Michael Burgess gave the Revolution a 4-0 lead, en route to a wild 8-7 victory at Bethpage Ballpark.

In Game Two, on only the fourth pitch of the game, York left fielder Alonzo Harris homered off Ducks starter Jake Fisher leading off the first inning, giving the Revolution an immediate 1-0 lead. 

Fisher would then surrender just one hit while facing the minimum 15 batters through the next five innings.  But tied at three after seven innings, Coach Baez elected to send Jake Fisher back out for the eighth, whom promptly surrendered a lead-off base hit to third baseman Chase Simpson.  Then with one out, right fielder Jared Mitchell's RBI single to right off Fisher put the Revs ahead.  After a pitching change, the final run charged to Fisher's ledger scored on a fielder's choice. 

The Ducks got a run back in the bottom of the eighth, but no more.  The Ducks would drop their final game of the season at Bethpage Ballpark by a 5-4 final score.

The series shifted to York for the remainder of the series.  The Revolution, however, offered no quarter.

Friday, in Game Three, Ducks starter John Brownell allowed just a run on five hits, and four walks, with five strikeouts, over 5.2 innings of work.  He exited on the winning side of what was then a 2-1 game in favor of the Ducks.

However, in the bottom of the eighth, Ducks reliever Dustin Richardson allowed a lead-off hit to Rev's second baseman Rubi Silva.  Coach Baez then handed the ball off to his third reliever of the game, Matt Marsh.  York first baseman and clean-up hitter Telvin Nash promptly greeted Marsh by depositing his third pitch over the center field wall, giving the Revolution a 3-2 lead, and final margin of victory.

Since winning the opening game of the 2011 championship series, the Ducks have now lost six straight games against the York Revolution in Atlantic League championship series play.

Long Island lost all three games by one run, and managed just one home run against York pitching.

Comparative damage caused by the Revolution:

• In seven post-season games, the York Revolution slashed .292/.336/.499, with eight home runs, 109 total bases, and 35 runs scored.
• In seven post-season games, the Long Island Ducks slashed .244/.333/.308, with only three home runs, 72 total bases, and 28 runs scored.

Make that six straight losses in back-to-back championship series as well. 

This marks Long Island's second straight year in which the Ducks have been swept out of the Atlantic League finals.  Last year they fell in similar fashion to the Sugar Land Skeeters, losing the first two games at Bethpage Ballpark, then losing Game Three on the road.

The Ducks have now lost three championship series, and won two, during their seven seasons under Coach Kevin Baez.

L.I. Ducks: Bring on the Revolution

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

ATLANTIC LEAGUE

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Wednesday

GAME ONE

York Revolution

vs.

Long Island Ducks

FROM

Bethpage Ballpark

Long Island Ducks: Flock Takes Third Straight From Somerset Patriots; Clinch Second Straight Liberty Division Crown.

The Ducks are heading back to the Atlantic League finals.  

But not before starter John Brownell and the Ducks suffered a disheartening series opening defeat at the Pond.  Game One's 7-1 loss seemed right in line with the rest of Long Island's September malaise. Somerset roughed up Long Island's all-time wins leader for 13 hits and seven runs (four earned) through 5.1 innings of work.  Brownell faced 31 batters during the loss, walking one and fanning four.

His mound opponent Patriots winning pitcher Mark Hamburger frustrated the Ducks for seven innings. The Ducks managed eight hits but fanned ten times overall en route to stranding five runners scoring position.  Right fielder Anthony Vega's RBI single in the 4th inning plated Long Island's lone run of the game.

The Ducks evened the series on Thursday with a 4-1 victory in Game Two.  Starter Matt Larkins struggled with control, but still limited the Patriots to their lone run of the game on four hits through 5.2 innings pitched for the win.  The offense got RBI from second baseman Elmer Reyes and right fielder Lew Ford.  Catcher Alex Burg went 3 for 4, with a home run in the sixth.

On Friday, the Liberty Division showdown shifted to Somerset's TD Bank Ballpark for Game Three.   There, Long Island southpaw Jake Fisher hurled a complete game gem against the Patriots in leading the Ducks to a decisive 2-1 lead in the series.  In facing 33 batters, the 27-year old tossed 115 pitches with 83 (72%) going for strikes, while allowing the first-half champs one-earned run on six hits and a pair of walks, and fanning nine batters for the victory.

Long Island hitters racked up ten hits and five earned runs off losing Somerset starter and former major leaguer Will Oliver.  The Ducks stroked 14 hits overall including a home run from Anthony Vega as they rolled to a 6-1 victory.

In Game Four, the Ducks jumped out to a 3-0 lead on third inning RBI from Anthony Vega and third baseman Giovanny Alfonzo, and DH Angelo Songco's RBI in the top of the sixth.   However, Somerset clawed back, tying the game with an unearned run in the bottom of the frame off Ducks starter Jake Dunning, and a pair of runs charged to reliever James Jones in the bottom of the eighth.

To the dismay of Saturday's very hopeful home crowd at TD Bank Ballpark, Somerset's bullpen unraveled at the absolute wrong time.  The Patriots undoing was set in motion when Ducks lead-off batter Anthony Vega drew a walk, and Dan Lyons was hit by a pitch.  With Alfonzo Giovanny at the plate, Somerset reliever Dustin Antolin unleashed a wild pitch advancing the runners.  Giovanny then bounced into s fielder's choice plating Vega with the go-ahead run.  

Right-hander Amalio Diaz pitched the final 1.1 innings, earning the victory in relief, and closing out the Ducks third straight victory against the regular season first-half champion Somerset Patriots.

• After losing Game One by a 1-7 margin, the Ducks outscored Somerset 14-5 in games Two through Four.

This is Long Island's second straight Liberty Division title.  They will return to the Atlantic League championship series where they'll face the Freedom Division champion York Revolution.

York hosted and won the first two games of the Freedom Division finals.  After a Game Three loss in Southern Maryland, the Revolution clinched a spot in the Atlantic League finals with a 5-1 victory over the Blue Crabs on Saturday.

This is York's third trip, and the Ducks sixth trip, back to the league finals.  In 2011, the York Revolution defeated the Long Island Ducks for their second straight Atlantic League championship. 

But 2011 was also the first of three straight championship series appearances by the Ducks.  Long Island won back-to-back titles during the 2012-2013 season, then lost last season's championship series against the Sugar Land Skeeters.

L.I. Ducks: Losing Altitude

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Flock's Lead Down to Two Games 

With Five to Play

Long Island Ducks: Struggles Continuing Through the Final Stretch.

Like a piano falling out of the sky ...

Long Island's untimely struggles continued Tuesday evening in Lancaster where the beleaguered Flock dropped their sixth straight contest, this time against the Barnstormers.  While no consolation, the Ducks at least have the Skeeters to thank for putting the breaks on Bridgeport's recent surge with a 5-0 whitewashing of the Fish in Sugar Land.

As a result of Tuesday's loss, Long Island's once comfortable Liberty Division lead over the Bridgeport Bluefish is now down to just a pair of games, with five games left in the regular season.

Tuesday's starter John Brownell pitched 6.2 innings in a losing effort, allowing three earned runs on six hits and three walks, with three strikeouts.  The Ducks offense, however, is only averaging 2.4 runs per game over their last eight.  It's no coincidence, then, the Ducks have scored the third least runs in the league, and own the third lowest team average.

Just saying ...

The York Revolution, Lancaster Barnstormers, and Sugar Land Skeeters, were all victorious Tuesday, so the logjam atop the Freedom Division standings continues.  The Revs own a two game lead over Lancaster, and a three game lead over Sugar Land.  Be sure that the Ducks will have their hands full with York and Sugar Land.

Meanwhile, after wrapping up their present series against Sugar Land, the Fish close out the regular season at home against a coasting Patriots team.  Somerset may attempt to set up their rotation for the post-season, perhaps affording Bridgeport an easier day at the office than otherwise expected.

Leading the Freedom Division

The Somerset Patriots and Southern Maryland Blue Crabs were the Atlantic League's first-half champions of their respective divisions.

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

Winter Leagues: Criollos de Caguas closing in on Puerto Rico league title

Liga de Beisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente

SERIE FINAL

Game One   Game Two   Game Three   Game Four   Game Five   Game Six

Hiram Bithorn Stadium

San Juan, Puerto Rico

GAME SEVEN

Caguas   4

Santurce 1

FINAL

With Sunday's 4-1 victory over los Cangrejeros de Santurce at Hiram Bithorn Stadium, los Criollos de Caguas are now just one victory away from capturing the club's second title in the last five years. 

They head back to Parque Yldefonso Sola Morales for Game Eight with hopes of dethroning the league's defending back-to-back champion in front of their home crowd.

Four Caguas relievers combined to protect a 4-1 lead with six scoreless innings of work in support of starter John Brownell.  Will Oliver gained the victory with 2.1 innings of two hit ball, with two strikeouts.  Ricardo Gomez earned his sixth save of the post-season.

At the plate, Caguas batters greeted Santurce starter Hiram Burgos with four first inning hits in taking an early 2-0 lead.  A one-out double by shortstop Jack Lopez in the top of the second, an RBI triple by catcher Jonathan Morales, and a sac-fly from right-fielder Jorge Padilla staked Caguas to a 4-0 lead.

Los Cangrejeros scored their only run of the game off John Brownell in the bottom of the second on a lead-off triple by right fielder Juan Silva, and a sac-fly from Christian Vasquez.

Caguas is now 3-1 this series at Hiram Bithorn Stadium.  Santurce would host Game Nine if necessary.

• Founded in 1939, los Cangrejeros de Santurce are 14 time league champions, and as previously noted, are still the reigning back-to-back champions until further notice.  This year's top regular season team, Santurce has gone on to win the Serie Caribe on five occasions.

• Founded in 1938, los Criollos are in search of their 17th league championship.  Their most recent came during the 2010-2011 and 2012-2013 seasons.  They have gone on to win three Serie Caribe titles in their history.

CAGUAS

1947-1948

CAMPEONES

Winter Leagues: Road Teams Still Trending in Puerto Rico Serie Final

Liga de Beisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Game One   Game Two   Game Three

GAME FOUR

Santurce   4

Caguas     1

FINAL

Parque Yldefonso Sola Morales

Caguas, Puerto Rico

Through four games of the LBPRC championship series, each team has failed to establish a home field advantage. 

Santurce's 4-1 victory Wednesday evening over Caguas was their second at Parque Sola Morales.   The series now shifts back to Hiram Bithorn Stadium on Thursday, where los Criollos have likewise won games One and Three.

Should this series go the distance, los Cangrejeroes de Santurce would host a decisive Game Nine.

*          *          *

Los Criollos and Cangrejeros dueled to a one all tie through six innings.

Santurce designated hitter Christian Vasquez led-off the top of the fifth with a triple, and would later score on a sac-fly.  Criollos left fielder Rusney Castillo wielded a quick response with a lead-off home run to right in the bottom of the sixth.

In the seventh, it was Christian Vasquez again whom knocked Criollos starter John Brownell out of the box.  After issuing a lead-off walk to first baseman Neftali Soto, Brownell surrendered a double to Vasquez, scoring Soto with what proved to be the game winning run.  After a pitching change, reliever Joel Pineiro then allowed another three hits, and Santurce's third run charged to Brownell.

An insurance run in the ninth gave Santurce their final margin of victory.

*          *          *

Caguas bats went 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position, and grounded into three double-plays.  Los Criollos are 0 for 10 in the last two games, and just 9 for 60 (.150) through ten post-season games with runners in scoring position.

Liga de Beisbol Profesional Dominican Republic

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

GAME ONE

Tigres del Licey

vs.

Aguilas Cibaenas

THURSDAY

Liga Venezuela Beisbol Profesional

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

GAME ONE

Cardenales de Lara

vs.

Aguilas del Zulia

THURSDAY

Winter Leagues: L.I. Ducks Ace Pitches Gem for Caguas Criollos

LBPRC.com 

 Liga de Beibol Profesional Roberto Clemente 

Pitching for los Criollos de Caguas, Long Island Ducks ace starter John Brownell earned a victory with seven scoreless innings in Game Six of their semi-final series against los Indios de Mayaguez.

The lone run of the game came in the bottom of the fourth when Caguas first baseman Ruben Gotay was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, scoring center fielder Rico Noel from third, who likewise led-off by getting hit with a pitch.

Brownell allowed just three hits and a walk, fanned five, and retired his first eleven batters faced.   This was his second victory of the post-season.  He previously earned a victory in Game Three, allowing two earned runs over 5.2 innings during Caguas' 5-4 victory over Mayaguez.

After falling behind 0-2 in their best of seven series to Mayaguez, Caguas regrouped to win four straight.

Los Criollos will now take on los Cangrejeros de Santurce in Puerto Rico's Roberto Clemente Professional Baseball League finals beginning Saturday evening at San Juan's Hiram Bithorn Stadium.

In the league's other semi-final series, Santurce easily advanced passed los Gigantes de Carolina by a four games to one margin.

Caguas finished nine games behind the first place Cangrejeros in the regular season standings.

The finals are a best five of nine series.  Game One takes place in Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan.   Game Two is scheduled to be played in Caguas.

Estadio Yldefonso Sola Morales

home of

Los Criollos de Caguas