L.I. Ducks: 2018 Liberty Division Champions

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Ducks Win Liberty Division Series, 3-2

I - LID 9; SOM 2

II - LID 11; SOM 1

III - SOM 8; LID 4

VI - SOM 5; LID 3

V - LID 3; SOM 2*

*10 innings

Long Island Ducks Outlast Somerset Patriots; Win Liberty Division Crown; Advance to Atlantic League Championship Series.

For the moment, this concludes an otherwise epic season-long battle against the Patriots.  The teams split their regular season series down the middle, with each gaining nine victories apiece.  Somerset clinches the first-half division title while posting a 6-3 record over Long Island.  But the Ducks turn the tables in the second-half, likewise taking six of nine from their rival and clinching the division by two games over Somerset.

The Liberty Division championship series opens at Bethpage Ballpark, where the Ducks pummel visiting Somerset in games one and two by a combined 20-3 margin.  As the series shifts to TD Bank Ballpark, the Patriots strike back with victories in games three and four.  In the fifth and decisive game at Somerset, the teams remain deadlocked at two through nine innings of play.

Naturally ...

With two outs in the top of the tenth, Ducks third baseman Taylor Ard singles to center.  David Washington follows with a single to right, advancing Ard to third.  Catcher Ramon Cabrera then lofts a fly to right/center that drops in, scoring Ard from third with the go-ahead run.  Closer Francisco Rodriguez had previously been called upon by Coach Baez to pitch the ninth.  For the bottom of the tenth, Coach calls upon veteran starter Matt Larkins.  After fanning lead-off batter Craig Massey, Larkins greets Somerset shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez with an inadvertent pitch to the ribs.  Undeterred, Larkins retires Endy Chavez on a pop-out to short, then induces first baseman Jayce Boyd into a game ending fielder's choice.

Entering the series, I noted in my preview Long Island's offensive production would not necessarily be the problem.  And it wasn't.  The Ducks wound up outhitting the Patriots 53-41, and outscoring them by a 30-18 margin. 

However, I insisted the Ducks would need to somehow out-pitch Somerset, a team which ranked first/second in most major pitching categories alongside Sugar Land.  The Ducks, who during the regular season ranked fifth/six in most pitching categories, did just that.  Through five games plus one inning, Somerset starters allowed 18 earned runs through 26.2 innings pitched for a 6.18 ERA.  Their bullpen surrendered another nine earned runs in 17.1 innings for an ineffective 4.73 ERA.  Meanwhile Ducks starters allowed just 13 earned runs through 29.1 innings pitched for a 4.02 ERA.  The bullpen was stellar, allowing just three earned runs in 14.2 innings for a 1.90 ERA. 

Closer Francisco Rodriguez earns the victory in Long Island's clinching game, and veteran starter Matt Larkins earns the save.

Well done, Duck!

ATLANTIC LEAGUE 

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Long Island Ducks

vs

Sugar Land Skeeters

FROM

The Lone Star State

That makes three straight Liberty Division titles for Long Island, thus marking their third straight trip to the Atlantic League Championship Series.  The Ducks have previously appeared in six league championships in their history and have won three league titles, but none since their back-to-back championships in 2012 and 2013.  In each of the last two years, the Ducks were swept first by the Sugar Land Skeeters in 2016, then again last season by the York Revolution.  The Skeeters (1-1) are making their third ever trip to the championship series.

May the wind be at your backs  ...

Next stop is Sugar Land, Texas, where the Skeeters await the Flock's arrival.

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: Flock Waddles Over Somerset Patriots in Series Opener

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Flock at the Gates!

Ducks lead Patriots 1-0

I - LID 9; SOM 3

II - Saturday @SOM

III - Sunday  @SOM

Long Island Ducks: Extra! News from the front ... Flock overwhelm first place Patriots in Friday night's series opener at Somerset.

On this night, Long Island's six-run third inning outburst and a dominant starting performance on the mound proved too much for the Liberty Division leaders.

This was only the Ducks second victory (2-6) over the Patriots this season, and their first at Somerset. I guess timing is indeed everything then, as Long Island's 9-3 win brings them to within 1 1/2 games of first place entering Saturday's action.

Starter Darin Downs climbed the hill against Somerset's Mickey Storey.  While the usually reliable Mickey Storey continues struggling for the Patriots this season, Downs is officially on a roll.  Darin improved his record to 3-1, and lowered his ERA from 3.25 down to a 3.02 mark.  He faced 30 batters, allowed a pair of earned runs on five hits and no walks, and fanned 11 batters.  It was his third straight winning decision, and comes on the heels of a seven inning, eight strikeout performance on May 14 against Southern Maryland.

• Ducks pitchers have faced the second least batters this season, but lead the Atlantic League in strikeouts.  Ducks pitching also leads with a league low .231 average against.

Offensively, Cody Puckett and Matt Blanke combined to go 6 for 10 at the plate, and registered eight RBI, with four each.  Five Ducks batters posted multiple hit games.  Lew Ford accounted for the ninth Ducks run with a 2 for 5 effort and RBI.

• The Ducks have now scored nine runs in each of their last two games.  Somerset first, followed by Long Island, are the top two scoring teams in the league.  They both have hit 17 team home runs.  Somerset's .748 team OPS leads the circuit, however, while the Ducks .723 mark ranks fifth.

After starting the season 13-0, the Patriots have gone 6-10 since, and are 4-6 over their last ten games.  After starting the season 1-6, the Ducks have gone 16-5 since.

Obviously, the trick for Long Island would be to strike while Somerset is down by winning this weekend series, or even sweeping it, because they will not face them again over the remainder of the first half of the season.

That will leave the Ducks and Patriots scrambling to outpace each other against the remaining competition.


Michael Pfaff's latest acquisitions forcing Coach Baez into reshuffling infield deck.

Recently signed, and former Met, Ruben Gotay went 0 for 5 Friday, with two strikeouts.  This, however, was the first time he failed to hit safely as a member of the Ducks.  He went 7 for 15 during Long Island's four game split against the Sugar Land Skeeters previous to Friday, and is now batting an even .300 since arriving.

Gotay was apparently brought in to solidify second base along with Matt Wessinger.  But, wasn't that accomplished by signing Tyler Colvin, which allowed Sean Burroughs to shift over to third, and thereby allow Cody Puckett to play second?

Well ... Colvin started Friday's game in left field, Burroughs was back at first, Puckett played third, while Lew Ford DH'd.  That came after Cody Puckett DH's twice against Sugar Land.  Coach Baez is clearly spelling positional players with turns at DH, but Colvin playing outfield is not something I'd   entertain too often.  Then again, Anthony Vega's play of late seems to support Coach Baez's decision to pencil in Colvin for occasional spot starts in the outfield.  In fact, I'd be willing to bet Michael Pfaff is searching for Vega's replacement at this very moment.

In the meantime, the GM has afforded Baez a few options.  We'll see how Coach continues utilizing them.

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

Long Island Ducks Win 2012 Atlantic League Championship

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

2012

ATLANTIC LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

LONG ISLAND DUCKS
 

 

 

 

LONG ISLAND DUCKS WIN SERIES 3-2

I - Barnstormers 5; Ducks 1

II - Ducks 9; Barnstormers 4

III - Barnstormers 12; Ducks 5

IV - Ducks 9; Barnstormers 3

 

GAME FIVE FINAL:

Ducks 5; Barnstormers 4

 

 

Finals Preview

Game One

Game Two

Game Three

Game Four

 

 

LONG ISLAND DUCKS: Win Ninth Inning Thriller;

Walk-Off Bunt Saves The Day, And Championship.

 

 

 

LongIslandDucks.com

 

 

Ducks Win Club's Second Atlantic League Title.

SS-Dan Lyons Named Series MVP.

 

Long Island Fans Enjoy First Championship At The Pond.

 

Bobby Blevins started Game Five for Long Island, and pitched six spirited innings before leaving on the winning side of a 4-2 Ducks lead.  He allowed Lancaster to score single runs in the second and fourth innings.  He allowed five hits in all.  Blevins walked no batters and struck out five before giving way to a combination of Matt May, Eric Niesen, and Jared Lansford, who pitched scoreless baseball over the next two innings.


On the mound for Lancaster was Dwayne Pollok, who won the league's ERA title and tied for the lead in wins.  He was victorious over the Ducks in Game One, and was starting Game Five on three days rest.


The Ducks jumped on Pollok right away with two runs in the first inning.  An error by Lancaster's center fielder allowed the Ducks to score their first run.  A single by Bryant Nelson knocked in their second run.  In the second inning, Joash Brodin's RBI single delivered Dan Lyons home with the Ducks third run.  The Ducks scored a fourth time off Pollok in the fifth inning when Matt Esquivel doubled home Bryant Nelson.


After eight innings of rather stellar baseball, the Long Island Ducks second year manager Kevin Baez placed the ball, a 4-2 Ducks lead, the Ducks season, and the team's championship hopes into the right hand of his closer, Leo Rosales.


The first batter he faced, Lancaster's third baseman Travis Denker, crushed the fifth pitch he saw for a home run.  The Ducks lead was now down to one.  Loe Rosales then walked the second batter he faced.  That runner advanced to second on a grounder to first, then proceeded to third base when Rosales unleashed a wild pitch against Lancaster's next batter.  With the tying runner on third, Rosales managed a strikeout for out number one.  Lancaster's Gilberto Mejia then followed with a four hopper to shortstop Dan Lyons.  The ground ball seemingly gave Lyons trouble off the bat.  He failed to field it cleanly, and delivered a throw in the dirt which first baseman Brandon Sing was unable to scoop.  Unbelievably, and to the dismay of the home crowd, the Barnstormers tied the game at four runs apiece.  What was once within Long Island's grasp was now seemingly slipping away.


Into the bottom of the ninth inning they went.  With one out, Lee Cruz got last licks started when he drew a walk.  Matt Esquivel drew a second consecutive base on balls.  As Mitch Canham reached safely on a fielder's choice, Lee Cruz was wiped from the bases.  Lancaster pitcher Josh Dew then unleashed a wild pitch which advanced Matt Esquivel to third base.  With two outs, the next batter, Dan Lyons surprised everyone and laid down a bunt down the third base line.  Matt Esquival scored as there was no play at first base.


Of all manners to win a game, the Long Island Ducks won the 2012 Atlantic League Championship on a walk-off bunt.  Dan Lyons went from the lowest depths of despair after committing the costliest of errors in the top of the inning, to ascending the high of exhilaration.  Dan Lyons was named series MVP for his overall efforts in the five game series.  But in truth, many deserve credit for securing the Ducks second ever championship trophy.


In 2004, Kevin Baez played on the Ducks first championship winning team.  Now, in his second season as manager, Coach Baez wins his second title with the club.  After falling to the York Revolution in four games during last season's Finals, Coach Baez led the organization to its first title since that 2004 season, and the Ducks second in thirteen years as members of the Atlantic League.


I would like to extend a special congratulations to Buddy Harrelson, for many many reasons.



Mike.BTB

Long Island Ducks: Game Five Winners; Going Back To The Finals

From the desk of:   THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

 

Ducks Win Series 3-2

I - Ducks 4; Blue Crabs 3

II - Ducks 3; Blue Crabs 1

III - Blue Crabs 7; Ducks 5

IV - Blue Crabs 4; Ducks 3

V - Ducks 5; Blue Crabs 4

 

 

Playoff Preview
GAME ONE FINAL

GAME TWO FINAL

GAME THREE FINAL

GAME FOUR FINAL

 

LONG ISLAND DUCKS:

Coach Baez Leads His Team Back To

The Atlantic League Finals.

 

Ducks Hold On For 5-4 Victory In Game Five.

Will Face Lancaster Barnstormers For League Title.

BRANDON SING CONNECTS ON THIRD HOME RUN OF SERIES;

SECOND IN LAST TWO GAMES.

Game Five; like this series; and just like this season; started out promising for the Ducks, only to take a perilous turn for the worse.  And in the ninth inning of the last Liberty Division semi final series  game against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, the day, the series, and the season, almost came to a disastrous end for the Long Islanders.


The Blue Crabs jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the fourth inning.  In the bottom half of the frame, Long Island came back with two runs.  After Ray Navarrete led of with a single, Brandon Sing connected on his third home run of the series, giving the Ducks a 2-1 lead.  Southern Maryland responded quickly however.  In their next at-bat, they constructed two more runs off a fielder's choice, and a sac-fly against Ducks starter Bobby Blevins.


Blevins retired the side in order in each of the first three innings.  He left the game on the losing side of a 3-2 score after six innings pitched.  Blevins hurt his own cause when he balked home the Blue Crabs first run of the game.  In all, he allowed three runs on five hits.  He issued no walks and struck out two.  Out of the bullpen, Eric Niesen, Chris Hayes, and Matt Mays, then combined to keep Southern Maryland quiet over the next two innings.


In the bottom of the eighth, the Ducks struck back.  Brandon Sing reached first base with a one out single.  Bryant Nelson then stepped up and connected on his first home run of the series.  Lee Cruz followed with a double and was removed for pinch runner, Matt Esquivel.  Shawn Williams sent him running home with a two out single, giving the Ducks a 5-3 lead heading into the ninth.


Coach Baez then put the ball, and the game, into the right hand of former Arizona Diamond Back, Leo Rosales.  He walked the first batter he faced, but then struck out the next hitter.  Next up, Jesse Gutierrez' grounder to third baseman Bryan Nelson seemed like a sure double play.  But Nelson over threw second base, and the ball was momentarily misplayed in the outfield as well.  The two base error resulted in a run scored, and put the tying run on second base.  A Rosales wild pitch moved the tying run to third.  Long Island then completed an intentional pass to Matt Padgett.  The Ducks recorded the second out on a fielder's choice when they caught the lead runner in a run down between home and third.  With two outs, Leo Rosales then walked the bases loaded.  Rosales left them all stranded however.  He struck out the last batter he faced to end the game.


Leo Rosales gets credit for an anxiety riddled save.  For Matt Way's one scoreless inning of work in the eighth in which he struck out the side, he gets credit for the win.


The road to redemption now leads through Lancaster.  The Long Island Ducks are heading back to the Atlantic League finals.  They will try and better their results from a year ago, when they lost the championship to the York Revolution.  The Ducks rumbled through a dominant 2011 regular season, only to see their potent offense short circuit against York pitching.


This season, the Long Island crowd was treated to their first home clinching celebration since the club's 2004 championship season.  The Ducks won the first half division flag with a 39-30 record.  But they stumbled mightily in the second half, finishing dead last in the division, and very nearly escaped recording the league's worst regular season record.


In the first round of the post-season, Long Island jumped out quickly and gained a choke hold on the semi final series by winning Games One and Two in Southern Maryland.  But with three opportunities to win one game at home, the Ducks failed in their first two attempts.  The Blue Crabs tied the series on the road setting up Game Five Sunday evening.


The rematch between the Ducks and the York Revolution will not take place.  The Lancaster Barnstormers swept the Freedom Division series against the Wild Card team from York.  Lancaster rolled to first and second half division titles this season, and recorded the circuit's best record.




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