L.I. Ducks: The Monday Swim - 7/27/2015

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

On Troubled Pond...

Long Island Ducks: Flock has yet to recover from disastrous trip to Sugar Land.

For the beaten and battered Ducks, there's perhaps been no more timely, and needed break in the   schedule than today's.

The Ducks have gone 7-10 since play resumed after the Atlantic League All-Star break, and are fresh off getting swept by the Bluefish in Bridgeport.

Looking back, their problems seemingly started during their June trip to Sugar Land, where the Skeeters short circuited Long Island's first half pennant bid by taking 5 of 6 games, dropping the Ducks hopelessly behind the eventual first half champ Somerset Patriots.

Professional baseball circuits from within, and outside America's borders then began pecking away at GM Michael Pfaff's roster.  The departures of Lew Ford, Reegie Corona, Mickey Jannis, and Andrew Barbosa are just a few that Long Island has endured this month.

The present standings are a clear reflection of their plight.  Long Island is 3 games below ,500, and they trail the 1st place Bridgeport Bluefish by 6 games in the Liberty Division standings.

All that said, there's still good news to report.

The Ducks began the second half leading the Wild Card standings by 10 games over the Sugar Land Skeeters, whom also have gotten off to a 7-10 second half start, and lost their last 4 in a row.  Long Island's 10 game lead, then, has remained in tact.

• Don't look now, but Jon Griffin is tied for the league lead in home runs, and is within 4 RBI of taking over the league lead from the departed Lew Ford.  With Ford out of the circuit, Griffin is the lone Atlantic League player with 50+ RBI.

The Ducks open a 7-game home stand on Tuesday against the Somerset Patriots and the Bridgeport Bluefish.

Mike

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

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

First Half Final

46-23  .667

2nd place

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

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

What more could they have done?

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

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

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

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

What could have been....?

Not much else to say, really.

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

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

Seems like everyone is benefiting except Long Island, hmm?

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

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

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

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

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

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

*   *   * 2015 *   *   *

ATLANTIC LEAGUE 

ALL-STAR GAME

WEDNESDAY

Freedom Division

(Blue Crabs - Skeeters - Barnstormers - Revolution)

vs.

Liberty Division

(Patriots - Ducks - Riversharks - Bluefish)

FROM 

the Ballpark at Harbor Yard 

Bridgeport, Connecticut

Lew Ford is participating in the Home Run Derby.

2015 Long Island Ducks ~ Atlantic League All-Stars:

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

• *  Leads Atlantic League

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

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

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

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

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


Let's Go Liberty Division..



Mike

L.I. Ducks: Flock Rolls Another Nine

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Long Island Ducks: Early Struggles Against Bridgeport Bluefish Becoming a Distant Memory.  Flock Takes Lead in Ferry Cup Series.

Fishing for Ten: Ducks Post 2nd Nine Game Winning Streak of June

Long Island started the season just 1-6 against Bridgeport.  They were outscored 47-25 in those first 7 games.

A series split against the Patriots back in May certainly didn't hurt the Ducks' standing.  That's why one might argue that within their initial poor play against Bridgeport this season lies the reason Long Island is not in first place today.

With Sunday's 8-3 victory, the Ducks have since defeated the Fish six straight times, and now lead the season series 7-6 heading into Monday night's series finale.  The Ducks have additionally turned the tables, and outscored the Fish by a 71-68 margin in the season series.

Sunday's win was Long Island's 9th straight victory, which marks their second such streak this month, and gives them a near perfect 19-1 record in June.  They improved to 38-17 for the season.

Ironically, it was the Fish who handed the Ducks their only loss this month, which halted their 10 game winning streak on June 11th.

Ruffling Feathers:

The league's #1 offense erupted for 12 runs against the Fish Saturday, and for another 8 runs on Sunday.  They have outscored Bridgeport this series by a 26-11 margin.

Catcher Jose Morales and DH Randy Ruiz provided most of Saturday's lumber, combining on 2 doubles, a home run, and 7 RBI.  Jon Griffin drove in a pair on Saturday, and another on Sunday to raise his season total to 39 RBI.

Bryan Sabatella returned to the lead-off spot on Sunday, going 2 for 5 with a runs scored, while Reegie Corona went 3 for 4, with 2 RBI.

There's presently no Ducks player hotter than Dan Lyons.  In his last 6 games, the Ducks shortstop is 8 for 17 (.470), with 2 home runs and 8 RBI.  His average up to .312 which now rates him 4th in the league, and his 31 RBI rank him 3rd behind team mates Lew Ford and Jon Griffin.

In fact, the Atlantic League leader board is covered in Ducks feathers.  Lew Ford still leads the circuit in hitting, and as noted, Ford, Griffin and Lyons lead the league in RBI.  Delta Cleary Jr. now has enough at-bats to qualify for 3rd in the circuit with a .323 average.

On the mound, John Brownell tops the league in strikeouts and is second in wins, while Mickey Jannis leads the circuit in ERA.

4th of July Weekend Showdown: T-Minus 11 Games

Despite losing 3.5 games in the standings to the Ducks since June 1st, the Somerset Patriots continue to set the pace in the Liberty Division race.  They are 8-2 in their last 10 games.  With yet another victory over the Sugar Land Skeeters on Sunday, Somerset became the first Atlantic League team to reach 40 victories this season, and thus retained their diminishing 1.5 game advantage over Long Island.

After Monday night's series finale against Bridgeport, the Ducks will migrate westward to Sugar Land, Texas, where they'll engage the Skeeters in a crucial 6-game series.  After which, they'll return home to host the Lancaster Barnstormers.

The Somerset Patriots will close out their series with Sugar Land Monday night, then travel to Lancaster to play the Barnstormers beginning Tuesday.  They'll return home to host the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs then head down the turnpike to visit the Camden Riversharks.

On Friday, July 3rd, the Somerset Patriots and Long island Ducks will open a 3-game series at Bethpage Ballpark that seemingly will determine the season's first-half Liberty Division champ.




Mike

L.I. Ducks: Look What Bridgeport Did to the Flock, Again

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Bridgeport leads Ferry Cup Series 6-1

I - BPT 10; LID 2

II - BPT 9; LID 0

III - BPT 7; LID 6

IV - LID 5; BPT 2

V - BPT 7; LID 3

VI - BPT 9; LID 7

VII - BPT 3; LID 2
VIII - Friday Night

Long Island Ducks: Bridgeport Continues Giving Flock the Bunker Fish Treatment.

Not hear; not tonight; the Bluefish said ten was enough.

After sweeping a pair of four game series from the Camden Riversharks and Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, the Long Island Ducks had their league high 10 game winning streak snapped by the Bluefish Thursday night at the Ballpark at Harbor Yards.

A costly error by Lew Ford in the 5th inning of Thursday's series opener provided Bridgeport's margin of victory.

Not incidentally, it was Lew Ford who opened the scoring with an RBI single in the 1st.  Reegie Corona then scored on DH Randy Ruiz's ground ball to give the Ducks an early 2-0 lead.

Bridgeport got on the board in the bottom of the 3rd.  A lead-off single by shortstop Matt Wessinger off Ducks starter Ian Marshall, and a 1-out single by third sacker Sean Burroughs set up right fielder Welington Dotel's RBI sac-fly.  In the 4th, second baseman Luis Rodriguez led-off with a double off Marshall, and shortly scored on left fielder Jake Luce's ground ball put-out, tying the game at two.

In the fateful 5th, first baseman John Alonso stroked a 1-out single of Marshall.  With 2-outs, Lew Ford misplayed DH Frazier Hall's hit for a 2-base error.  Alonso scored the go ahead, and inevitably the winning run on the play.

Starting pitcher Ian Marshal battled himself over 6.2 innings pitched walking 6 batters, but otherwise allowed a pair of earned runs on 4 hits with 5 strikeouts.  He now owns a 3-2 record in 8 starts, with a 2.54 ERA (10th in the Atlantic League).

The Ducks fell to the Bluefish for the 6th time in 7 meetings this season.

With Thursday's victory, the 3rd place Bluefish improved their record to a 19-26 mark.  They've scored the 2nd least runs in the Atlantic League this season, yet are 2nd in team batting and feature 10 of the league's top 10 hitters.

They especially love hitting against the Ducks.  In their 7 games thus far, the Bluefish have nearly doubled Long Island's output, outscoring them by a 47-25 margin, or, 6.7 runs per game against just 3.5 runs per game for the Ducks.

Bridgeport's staff owns the league's 3rd worst ERA, and the 2nd worst WHiP.  Just don't tell the Ducks.  In 3 of their 7 losses against the Fish, Long Island was shut out once and held to just 2 runs on two other occasions, including Thursday's game.

This all means the Ducks had better get the Bluefish figured out, and quick.  Long Island has 7 more games remaining against Bridgeport prior to what's shaping up as their first-half ending showdown against Somerset over the 4th of July weekend.

Long Island's 10 game winning streak nevertheless cut the Somerset Patriots lead to just 2.5 games (down from 5 games back) in the standings.  However, Somerset defeated the Barnstormers Thursday night to reset their division lead at 3 games over the Ducks.

FLOCK FRACKERS:

Lew Ford still leads the Atlantic League with 16 doubles and 39 RBI.  He's 3rd with a .511 slugging mark, 4th with a .324 batting average, and 5th with a .403 OBP.   Jon Griffin is 2nd behind Ford with 36 RBI, and is 2nd in the league with 8 home runs.  Ford and Griffin are the only two league players to surpass 30 RBI so far this season.

Setting the table for them is lead-off batter Bryan Sabatella.  He tops the the league with 200 at-bats, 61 hits, 39 runs scored, and 15 stolen bases.  He presently sports a .305 average and .359 OBP.



Mike

L.I. Ducks: Keeping Pace With Somerset Proving Difficult

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Series tied 1-1

I - YRK 4; LID 3; 15 inn

II - LID 4; YRK 3; 11 inn

TUESDAY

York Revolution

vs.

Long Island Ducks

FROM

Suffolk County Grounds

Long Island Ducks: Jon Griffin Enters June Wielding a Lethal Bat.

Weather permitting, the Ducks host the Revolution for the rubber game of their series this evening.

In each of the first two games, extra innings were required to extract victory.

On Sunday, the Ducks followed up the previous day's victory over Somerset with a game they let slip away.  Ahead 3-1 after 4 innings of play, the Revs tied the game in the 6th off starter Ian Marshall.

The game remain deadlocked at three for the next 8 innings.  Then, leading off the top of the 15th inning, York center fielder Sean Smith promptly homered off Mark Rogers.  Long Island went down in order in the bottom of the frame to close out a crushing defeat.

On Monday, the Ducks found themselves on the winning side of an identical 4-3 final.

Once again, Long Island jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the 1st inning.  After a 1-out single by Delta Cleary Jr, followed a 1-out single with a steal of second, then scored on Cody Puckett's RBI single.  Jon Griffin followed with his 7th home run of the season, Puckett scored.

Starter John Brownell retired his first 6 batters, and kept York scoreless through his first 4 innings.   In the 5th, the Revolution scored a pair on 3 hits and a walk.  In the 6th, an E-3 by Jon Griffin paved the way for another York (unearned) run, and a tie game.

For a second straight game, York and Long Island went into extra innings.

After 7 innings pitched, John Brownell exited to a no decision.  He faced 31 batters, and threw 125 pitches with 73 going for strikes.  He allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 6 hits and 2 walks, with 7 strikeouts.  He leads the circuit with 47 strikeouts.

Blake Davis played shortstop on this night, and led-off the home 11th with a hit.  Mike Blanke sacrificed him 90' to second.  Prentice Redman's base hit then plated Davis for the winning run.

The bullpen combined on 4 innings, no hits, and 6 strikeouts.  Nick Struck earned the win in relief.

Center fielder Delta Cleary Jr. went 4 for 4 with a double, lifting his average to a .333 mark.  Since his arrival, he is 18 for 54 with 6 doubles and 6 stolen bases.

Wielding a Lethal Bat: Jon Griffin

In April, the Ducks opened the season against York, then played a 4-game series against Southern Maryland.  During those 7 games, Jon Griffin went 4 for 24 (.167), with a home run, 6 RBI, and struck out (9) 37% of the time.

On May 13th, Griffin finally broke through the Mendoza Line.  In his 17 games since, Jon has gone 23 for 67 (.343), with 5 home runs and 16 RBI, and cut his strikeouts to (19) 28% of the time.

In his last 3 games, he's 4 for 11 with 2 home runs and 6 RBI.  In 35 total games played and 134 at-bats, Jon Griffin is now slashing .269/.347/.463, with 5 doubles, 7 home runs and 25 RBI.

Patriots Keep Setting the Pace:

Somerset still leads the league with a 26-11 record.  Since their meeting against the Ducks, they have gone 3-0, which includes an early game and a rain cancellation on Tuesday.

With Monday's victory, the Ducks are now one of three teams to reach 20 victories, however, they enter this evening's game trailing the Patriots by 5.5 games.

After Tuesday, the Ducks will have 32 games games left remaining to close the gap with Somerset.

Yeah, about that division realignment...,

Welcome to year two.



Mike

L.I. Ducks: Salvage Split Against Somerset Patriots.

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Ducks and Patriots split series 2-2

I - LID 7; SOM 6

II - SOM 1; LID 0

III - SOM 3; LID 0

IV - LID 3; SOM 0

LIBERTY DIVISION

1) Somerset       23-11

2) Long Island  19-15

Long Island Ducks: Flock enters the second leg trailing the Somerset Patriots by 4 games.  After Saturday's performance, Andrew Barbosa appears poised to help close the gap,

Starter Andrew Barbosa delivered a message Saturday, which Somerset heard loud and clear.  His Game Four performance boldly proclaimed - Careful how you proceed forward, the Ducks can pitch too!

Andrew Barbosa's signing allowed Eric Niesen, whom struggled as a starter, to return to his customary reliever role.

Making his third appearance as a Duck, Barbosa out-dueled Somerset starter Matt Zielinski for 7 innings.  He allowed no runs on just 4 hits, walked 2 and fanned 10 Patriots batters.  He exited on the winning side of a 3-0 game.

His opponent threw 7 innings as well, but allowed 3 earned runs on 9 hits.  He walked none and fanned 4 batters before exiting on the losing side.

Jon Griffin put the Ducks ahead with a 2-run home run in the top of the 4th, and Mike Blanke's base hit in the top of the 7th scored Reegie Corona to give the Ducks their 3-0 margin of victory.

Ryan Kussmaul earned his league leading 9th save.

The Ducks are now 19-15 for the season, and with a series split in Somerset they've gotten back within 4 games of the 1st place Patriots again.

While starter Mark Rogers continues trying to straighten himself out, Andrew Barbosa joins John Brownell, Mickey Jannis, and Ian Marshall to form an effective quartet as the Ducks try and chase down Somerset in the second leg of their race for a first half flag.

These teams will meet again over the 4th of July weekend.  The series also closes out the first half, and might even decide who captures the first half flag.

The Ducks second leg starts Sunday against the visiting York Revolution.  The Patriots head to Bridgeport for an encounter with the Bluefish.

Mike

L.I. Ducks: John Brownell Dominates Camden Riversharks; Flock Takes Series Opener

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Long Island Ducks: Can't Rain on Flock's Parade.

If not for a very questionable decision made by the umpiring crew to play through Monday's tempest in Lancaster, the Ducks could very well be winners of 6 in a row this evening.  They'll settle for 5 in a row instead, with a suspended game, I'm sure.

Flock Thwart a Struggling Revolution; Sweep Series.

5/19 Game 1 - L.I.D 4; York 1

• Coach Baez really out-did himself in this one.  After starter Andrew Barbosa exited after just 3 innings pitched, the Ducks skipper summoned 8 relievers from the bullpen.  Eric Neisen earned the win, and Amalio Diaz earned the save.  Lew Ford drove in all four Long Island runs, going 3 for 4 with a home run.

5/20 Game 2 - L.I.D. 11; York 9

• Coach Baez wasn't done, although, this was a wild one.  After starter Mark Rogers allowed back to back home runs in the very first inning, Coach Baez made the call for 9 more relievers. First in, Matt Soren fared no better, allowing a 2-run homer in the 2nd, and yet another 2-run homer in the 3rd as part of a 3-run inning.  The Ducks went 16 for 41 (.390) at the plate, led by Jon Griffin's 3 RBI, and a pair each from Lew Ford and Dan Lyons.

5/21 Game 3 - L.I.D. 6; York 1

• Newly signed Billy Buckner, 31, started for Long Island, pitched through a neat 2 innings.  He allowed no runs on 3 hits, walked one and fanned a pair.  Mickey Jannis then entered in the third, and pitched masterfully for the next 7 innings.  He allowed just a run on 6 hits and 2 walks, and fanned 6 to earn his 2nd victory of the season.  He owns a 2.45 ERA over 29.1 innings this season.  Playing in just his 8th game for the Ducks, center fielder Delta Cleary jr. went 3 for 3, with a double and 2 RBI.  With a 2 for 3 game, Jon Griffin posted his 7th multi-hit game in his last 8 played, and raised his average up to a .283 mark.

John Brownell Pitches Gem Over Camden Riversharks:

Ducks lead series 1-0

I - L.I.D. 10; CAM 1

Saturday Twin Bill

Camden Riversharks

vs.

Long Island Ducks

FROM

The Pond

Back in the Pond, Long Island rolled to a 10-1 victory over the now .500 Camden RiverSharks. Starter John Brownell turned in a brilliant performance over 8 innings of work.  He faced 27 batters, and threw 109 pitches with 66 going for strikes.  He allowed one earned run on just 2 hits and a walk, and tied his career high with 12 strikeouts.

Jon Griffin and Lew Ford continue punishing A.L. pitching.  The surging Griffin was 2 for 3, with a home run and 3 RBI, and the white hot Lew Ford was 2 for 4 with 2 RBI.  Ryan Sabatella also erupted for a 3 for 4 night, with 3 runs scored and 2 RBI.

Lew Ford is now 2nd in the circuit in batting, and tops the league with 31 RBI.  While John Brownell now leads the Atlantic League with 4 victories, and 34 strikeouts.

What a Difference a Week Makes:

The 2nd place Ducks are presently in the midst of a 5 game winning streak, and have improved their record to a 15-12 mark.  The Somerset Patriots, however, still maintain a 4 game lead over Long Island in the Liberty Division standings.  The Patriots are 8-2 in their last 10 games, and are the only team remaining with single digit losses.

Mike

L.I. Ducks: Bridgeport continues dominance over Flock

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Bridgeport Bluefish 

win second straight series over 

Long Island Ducks

Bluefish Lead Ferry Cup Series 5-1

I - BPT 10; L.I. 2

II - BPT 9; L.I. 0

III - BPT 7; L.I. 6

*

IV - L.I. 5; BPT 2

V - BPT 7; L.I. 3

VI - BPT 9; L.I. 7

Long Island Ducks: Bridgeport Responsible For Half Of Flock's Losses.

After getting swept by the Bluefish in Bridgeport last week, the Ducks tried exacting their revenge, albeit unsuccessfully, against the Bluefish beginning with Tuesday's game at the Pond.

Long Island took series opener behind the pitching of John Brownell, and the hitting of Lew Ford.

Brownell faced 28 batters over his 7 innings pitched, and threw 98 pitches, with 63 (64%) going for strikes.  He allowed a pair of earned runs on 6 hits and one walk, and fanned 4 batters to join the league leaders with his third victory of the season.

Closer Ryan Kussmaul earned his league leading 6th save of the season.

Lew Ford was Tuesday's hitting star.  He went 4 for 4 at the plate, with a double and 3-run home run in the 3rd inning to help push the Ducks passed the Bluefish by a 5-2 final.

In Wednesday night's game, Ian Marshall made the start, and was opposed by Bridgeport's Scott Maine.

Marshall allowed earned runs in the 3rd and 4th innings, and exited to a no-decision after 5 innings pitched.

In the bottom of the 4th, Cody Puckett led the Ducks off with a double.  Jon Griffin and Jose Morales both singled to load the bases.   With 1-out, DH Blake Davis was hit with a Scott Maine pitch to force a run across the plate.  Then with 2-outs, Dan Lyons drew a walk to tie the game at two.  The Ducks, however, left the bases loaded.

The Bluefish then went on to tally 5 more runs against Long Island's bullpen.  Except for a Lew Ford home run in the 7th, the Bluefish bullpen locked down the Ducks for a 7-3 victory, and series split.

In Thursday's rubber game, neither starting pitcher fared well.  Eric Niesen toed the rubber for Long Island.  He faced 27 batters and threw 93 pitches, with only 56 (60%) going for strikes.  In 5 full innings pitched, he allowed 7 runs (5 ER) on 10 hits and a pair of walks, with 4 strikeouts.  He exited on the losing side of a 7-6 game.

Niesen was opposed by Bridgeport's Cory Riordan, whom only lasted 4.2 innings.  He allowed 6 earned runs on 10 hits and a walk, with one strikeout.  He earned a no-decision for his efforts.   Reliever Erik Braxton pitched to a pair of batters in the 5th, to earn the victory.

Despite 3 home runs and 14 hits by the Ducks, they found themselves on the short side on a 9-7 game.  Jon Griffin was 3 for 4 hit 2 home runs, and now has 4 for the season.  Dan Lyons was 3 for 5 with a double and RBI, and improved his average to a .290 mark.  At the top of the order, Bryan Sabatella and Reggie Corona combined to go 4 for 6 with 2 runs scored.

Lew Ford leads the circuit with 18 RBI.

Is Eric Niesen pitching out of his element?  Prior to this season, he made 312 career appearances, but only 76 as a starter.  The former reliever was pressed into the starting rotation this season.  He is 0-2 after 4 starts this season.  In 19 innings pitched, he has allowed 13 earned runs on 27 hits and 10 walks, with 20 strikeouts (4th most in Atlantic League).  In Thursday's game, his ERA grew from 5.14, to a 6.16 mark.

NEXT

Long Island Ducks

@

Lancaster Barnstormers

The Ducks are now 4-7 in their last 10 games, and leveled out at 10-10 for the season.  They presently trail the 1st place Somerset Patriots by 3 games.



Mike

L.I. Ducks: Victorious Flock Snaps Out of Funk Against Barnstormers

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Long Island Ducks: Flock Withstands Barnstormers Barrage; Bullpen Makes Comeback Stand for 11-10 Victory at Bethpage Ballpark.

The Ducks took no time to lick their wounds after getting swept by the Bluefish, and getting outscored by a combined 26-8 margin over three games in Bridgeport.

Long Island returned home on Friday to host the defending Atlantic League champions, Lancaster Barnstormers for a 4-game weekend series.

Game one against the Barnstormers started much like games One and Two did against the Bluefish, very much resembling another ensuing blowout.

Eric Niesen toed the rubber at Bethpage Ballpark, and was opposed by Lancaster's Bryan Evans.

After each team traded runs in the 1st inning, Lancaster stormed out to an 8-1 lead with a 7 run outburst in the 3rd inning.  Eric Niesen walked the bases loaded, and with 1-out surrendered a grand slam home run to right fielder Brian Cavazos-Galves.  With 2-outs, Niesen committed an error, and then proceeded to surrender back-to-back home runs by Michael Broad and Yusuke Kajimoto.

Frank DeJulio Jr. entered the game in relief of Niesen in the top of the 4th inning.  With 2-outs, he hit Cavazos-Galves with a pitch.  A double and a passed ball later, and Lancaster owned a 9-1 lead.

The Ducks finally snapped out of their offensive funk in the bottom of the frame.  With 1-out, Jon Griffin was hit by a Bryan Evans pitch.  Second baseman Reggie Corona then tripled him home, and scored when Erik Komatsu later hit a ground rule double.  Dan Lyons and Bryan Sabatella then drove in a run each.  With 2-outs, Cody Puckett's singled plated 2 more runs to bring the Ducks within 9-7 of the Barnstormers.

Barnstormers left fielder Yusuke Kajimoto struck again with an RBI triple off Frank DeJulio Jr. in the top of the 5th to extend Lancaster's lead by a 10-7 margin.

But the Ducks roared back for three more runs in the bottom of the frame to even the score.  Reggie Corona led off with a single to left.  With 1-out, an E-2 and an RBI single by Erik Komatsu made it a 10-8 game.  Dan Lyons followed with another base hit, and after a wild pitch advanced the runners, Bryan Sabatella's single plated two runs for the tie.

The Ducks bullpen then proceeded to pitch 5 innings of no-hit, no-run baseball.

In the bottom of the 9th, Cody Puckett reached safely on an infield single to third off reliever Bryan Morgado.  Big Jon Griffin then stepped in, and delivered a double to right.  Cody Puckett scored all the way from first to give Long Island the win.

Hector Ambriz earned the victory in relief, while Bryan Morgado suffered the loss for Lancaster.

• With a strikeout in Friday's game, Jon Griffin has now fanned 20 times (38%) in 52 at-bats.  He is only batting .154 with 4 extra base hits, but he arguably delivered the Ducks biggest hit of the young season Friday night.  The Ducks sorely need him to improve his hitting, and his slugging in particular.

• This was Eric Niesen's third and certainly shortest outing thus far.  It follows a strong performance against Sugar Land, in which he allowed just a run in 6 innings, on 7 hits, no walks and 8 strikeouts.   On this night, Niesen escaped with a no decision after just 3 innings, having allowed 8 runs (5 ER) on 5 hits and a lofty 8 walks.  He faced 21 batters and fanned 5 before exiting the game.  His ERA grew to a 5.14 mark, with a 1.790 WHiP.  This was only his 5th start in 154 regular season appearances for the Ducks since 2012.

With Friday's victory, the Ducks evened their record at 7-7, and stayed with 1.5 games of the 1st place Somerset Patriots.  All four Liberty Division teams are playing at .500 or above.

The defending champions are one of only two Atlantic League teams playing sub-par baseball.   Their 5-10 record is presently worst in the league.



Mike

L.I. Ducks: The Monday Swim - 5/4/15

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

The Ducks began the 2014 with a 5-5 record, 

en route to a 41-29 first half record.

Long Island Ducks: John Brownell, Cody Puckett, and Ryan Kussmaul, lead Flock out of the starting gate.

The Atlantic League was off Monday.

The Ducks have posted a 6-4 record in their first 10 games of the season.  They kicked off the year in York and took 2 of 3 games from the Revolution, then split four games in South Maryland against the Blue Crabs.

Long Island hosted their home opener on May 1st against the Sugar Land Skeeters.  The Ducks dropped the series finale on Sunday, but took 2 of 3 games in the series.

That's two series victories and a split to start the season.

However, by virtue of one less game played and one less loss, the Somerset Patriots have slipped into 1st place of the Liberty Division, a 1/2 game ahead of both the Camden Riversharks and Long Island Ducks.

Despite dropping 2 of 3 to the Ducks over the weekend, the Sugar Land Skeeters lead the Freedom Division by one game over last year's A.L. champions, the Lancaster Barnstormers.

Lew Ford and Cody Puckett lead the Ducks in hits and average.  At present, they are the team's two .300 hitters.  Cody Puckett also leads the team and the Atlantic League with four home runs.  Both Ford and Puckett are tied with 7 RBI.  The Ducks have hit 8 home runs as a team.

Newcomer Jon Griffin is off to a rough start, batting .152 with one home run and 6 RBI, and leading the team with 13 strikeouts.  As the lead-off man, Bryan Sabatella is only batting .244, but at least boasts a .333 OBP, with 3 doubles, 3 stolen bases, and 8 runs scored.

On the mound, starter John Brownell has been nothing short of excellent.  In 2 starts and 15.0 innings pitched, he is yet to surrender a run, allowed a mere 6 hits, walked 3 and fanned 9 batters.  Ian Marshall joins Brownell with a 2-0 record.  In 11 innings pitched, he also is yet to allow a run.   He has walked one thus far and fanned 5 batters.  In a change of roles, Eric Niesen has made 2 starts, and leads the team with 11 strikeouts in 11 innings pitched.

Closer Ryan Kussmaul has appeared in 5 games, and so far has posted 4 saves.  He has not given up a hit, or run to this point, has walked a pair, and struck out 6 batters.

NEXT

Long Island Ducks

vs.

Bridgeport Bluefish

from

HARBOR PARK

The Long Island Ducks will visit Bridgeport to begin a 3 game series against the Bluefish on Tuesday.  The Connecticut Nine strike me as a better team than their early record may indicate.

On May 1st, the Long Island Ducks acquired outfielder Prentice Redman from the Bridgeport Bluefish for a player to be named later.  He was originally drafted by the Mets in the 10th round of the 1999 June draft.  He made his MLB debut in 2003, and participated in 15 games.  

Redman is 4 for 10 in 2 games for the Ducks so far.  He will turn 37-years old in August.  He played the last four seasons with Bridgeport.  In 2012 at age 32, he played 131 games, and hit 39 doubles, 21 home runs with 82 RBI, and slashed .282/.366/.489 in 503 at-bats.  Last season, he batted .270, with 16 home runs and 65 RBI.

Marking the first Pond casualty of the 2015 season, starter Mark Rogers was placed on the inactive list on May 2nd.  He struggled in two starts for the Ducks, allowing 4 earned runs on 6 hits and 4 walks in 7.2 innings pitched, with 5 strikeouts and a 4.69 ERA.

The Ducks will get their first look at the defending champions, when they host the Lancaster Barnstormers next weekend.  The Bluefish will then visit the Pond.



Mike