L.I. Ducks Clinch 2019 First-Half Liberty Division Flag

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

ATLANTIC LEAGUE

FIRST-HALF

LIBERTY DIVISION CHAMPIONS

LONG ISLAND DUCKS

Despite losing game two of their weekend series against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs at Bethpage Ballpark, the Long Island Ducks emerge as this season's first-half Liberty Division champion.  The Flock close out Saturday's action with a league best 42-26 (.618) record and a 1.5 game lead over the Patriots.  Long Island has two games in hand and own the tie-breaker over Somerset, whom only have one game in hand.  The High Point Rockers 3-2 victory over Somerset at North Carolina on Saturday essentially clears Long Island's way.

I'm more impressed than surprised by what the Ducks have thus far accomplished.  Long Island this season has had upwards of nine pitchers pilfered from their staff by MLB organizations - good pitchers too - and therefore I'm thinking they'd be in big trouble as early as mid May.

Instead, Darin Downs posts a 3.08 ERA through ten starts and 49.2 innings.  Joe Irorio chips in with nine starts with a 3.08 ERA through 61.1 overall innings pitched.  Bennett Parry owns a 3.38 ERA through five starts and 26.2 innings pitched.  However Jake Fisher has struggled this season posting a  4-6 record with an unsightly 4.99 ERA.  Which leads me to ask where would the Ducks be without Travis Banwart?  He has been a godsend posting a 3-1 record with a 1.91 ERA through 37.2 innings and an 0.96 WHiP since joining the Ducks.

The (first-half) Ducks are just one of three teams with a staff ERA below four.  Their 3.94 ERA is third behind Somerset's league leading 3.26 mark.  Long Island also places third with a 1.30 WHiP.  The Ducks and Patriots finish first and second respectively in strikeouts.  But Somerset leads the circuit with 31 saves with the Ducks second with 21 saves.

• Ducks Slash: .252/.324/.403/.727, with 64 home runs, 310 runs scored, and 58 stolen bases.
• Patriots Slash: .264/.337/.374/.711, with 38 home runs, 290 runs scored, and 65 stolen bases. 

David Washington leads the Ducks with 18 home runs and 47 RBI, not to mention a team high 13 stolen bases.  Kirk Nieuwenhuis is second with 11 home runs and 41 RBI.  L.J. Mazzilli is batting .283 and leads the team with 18 doubles.

• Steve Lombardozzi is presently injured.
• Local kid from Bronx and former Mets infielder J.T. Rivera joins the Ducks.

The first-half Liberty Division presently features four teams playing at or above the .500 mark.  By Saturday evening, the New Britain Bees had dropped to 34-34 on the season.  Participating in their first Atlantic League campaign the High Point Rockers end the day with 41-29 record, just two games behind the Ducks.  Meanwhile the Freedom Division leading Sugar Land Skeeters are just one game over .500, and are the only team playing above par.  Second place York is a game under yet trail the Skeeters by one game in the standings.

The Ducks and Blue Crabs play the rubber game of their series on Sunday.

Liberty Division Showdown: Long Island Ducks Invade Somerset

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Ducks lead series 1-0

I - LID 3; SOM 1

II - LID 6; SOM 4*

*10 innings

Long Island Ducks

vs.

Somerset Patriots

Long Island and Somerset enter Friday's game one showdown tied for first place.  Jake Fisher toes the rubber for the Ducks and is opposed by Patriots starter Liam O'Sullivan.  The two engage in a scoreless duel through five.  O'Sullivan yields no runs on just four hits and four walks with seven strikeouts through six innings.  He leaves the game on the winning side of a 1-0 game thanks to catcher Mike Ohiman's home run in the sixth off Fisher.  However, relievers Cody Mincey and Vin Mazzaro join to stop the Patriots cold.

Kirk Nieuwenhuis leads off the top of the eighth off reliever Mike Broadway with a single up the middle.  Deibinson Romero likewise reaches safely with a hit.  With one out, Hector Sanchez connects on a three run home run for a 3-1 Ducks lead.  Mazzaro pitches a scoreless bottom half of the eighth, and Enrique Burgos pitches a scoreless ninth with two strikeouts en route to earning his seventh save of the season.

With the much needed victory Long Island retakes sole control of first place, but only by a game.  The rivalry resumes Saturday evening in game two at Somerset and for game #61 of their respective seasons.  The first-half Liberty Division title hangs in the balance.

GAME TWO

Ducks    6

Patriots  4

10 innings

Three outs away from victory, the Patriots come undone.  Trailing 2-4 after eight innings, the Ducks rally for two unearned runs in the top of the ninth forcing extra innings.  In the tenth, they score two more unearned runs for their second straight victory over the Patriots at Somerset.

Darin Downs pitches well despite a no-decision.  He yields two runs on seven hits and just one walk with eight strikeouts through six innings pitched.  Patriots starter David Kubiak likewise settles for a no decision pitching eight strong innings while surrendering two runs on just four hits and one walk with five strikeouts.

With one out and the bases loaded in the ninth, Deibinson Romero grounds to short.  Patriots second baseman Rey Navarro throws away the relay while attempting a double-play.  Both Ezequiel Carrera and L.J. Mazzilli score on the play.  In the tenth, Vladimir Frias singles in the go-ahead run.  The Patriots then lend Long Island an insurance run on Rey Navarro's second error allowing Ramon Cabrera to score from third.

Reliever Michael Tonkin pitches a scoreless bottom half of the frame en route to earning his first victory of the season.

Long Island enters Sunday afternoon's match with a two game lead over the Patriots.

L.I. Ducks: Time and Division Lead Running Short

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Ducks Defeat Barnstormers 3-1

I - LAN 4; LID 3

II - LID 12; LAN 8

III - LID 4; LAN 3

IV - LID 7; LAN 4

Pressure On Flock To Avoid Getting Stung by Bees

Wins and time are increasingly of the essence.  First place Long Island enters Tuesday's action with a league best 35-21 (.625) record.  They're presently staked to a precarious 1.5 game lead over Somerset, and a three game lead over the expansion High Point Rockers.  A mere 13 games remain before the all-star break and conclusion of the season's first half.  They Ducks have been perched atop the standings for much of the season making the Liberty Division theirs to lose.  That said, they host the New Britain Bees this week before heading back to Somerset for what should amount to another fierce battle for first place against the Patriots.

The Bees may be in last place of the Liberty Division, but they're only five games out of first.  The entire division is playing above .500 baseball.  New Britain enters Bethpage Ballpark with a 30-26 record, and like the Ducks enter the series winners of three in a row.

New Britain Bees

vs.

Long Island Ducks

FROM 

THE POND

David Washington is tied for the league lead with 16 home runs, and is third with 40 RBI.  Kirk Nieuwenhuis is second on the team with ten home runs and 35 runs batted in.  L.J.Mazzilli leads the team with 14 doubles.  Despite hitting the league's second most home runs the Ducks are only sixth in runs scored.

As we know, nine pitchers have had their contracts purchased this season from the Ducks.  Yet, the Flock continues getting clutch performances from those still donning a Long Island uniform.  On Friday the Ducks split a double-header against Lancaster, while getting a respectable five inning start from Joe Iorio.  On Saturday, Jake Fisher turns in an effective veteran effort to earn his fourth victory of the season.  In Sunday's series finale, the Ducks get an abbreviated albeit arguably effective start from Darin Downs.

The ongoing question remains: do they have enough starting pitching to see this first half through to a pennant?

L.I. Ducks: Flock Outburst Salvages Twin Bill Split With Lancaster

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

LANCASTER BARNSTORMERS

vs.

LONG ISLAND DUCKS

FROM

THE POND

As the first-half Liberty Division race begins winding down in earnest the Ducks are tasked with regaining a measure of separation from Somerset and High Point.  Just in time the schedule makers hand the Ducks a second division team as Lancaster enters this weekend series at the Pond with a sub par 19-32 record.

But alas even the best laid plans go awry.  Lancaster pulls out a last inning victory in game one of Friday's scheduled double-header.  Twice Long Island takes the lead, and twice the Barnstormers tie the game.  As such the teams enter the seventh and potentially last inning (abbreviated game) all knotted up at three.  Manager Wally Backman hands the ball to reliever Josh Lueke whom promptly issues a lead-off walk.  An out and a stolen base later and Lueke issues a second walk.  With two outs, Lueke then yields a hit to Lancaster second baseman Dan Gamache plating the go-ahead run.  In the bottom of the seventh the Barnstormers' Cody Eppley strikes out the side en route to his ninth save of the season.

After five innings of game two, the Ducks appear headed for a second straight loss.  They trail Lancaster 8-1 with but six outs left to spare.  In the bottom of the sixth however the game changes on a dime.  Long Island sends 16 batters to the plate.  Seven base hits, one home run, three walks, a hit batsman, and an E-6 later, and the Ducks post eleven runs in the inning and win by a stunning 12-8 final.  Kirk Nieuwenhuis is big man on campus, going 2 for 4, with a home run, four RBI, and two runs scored.

With the victory the Ducks also gain a half-game advantage over the Somerset Patriots whom were defeated on Friday by the York Revolution.

• UPDATE:  Starter Alec Asher becomes the latest (and the ninth) pitcher to get plucked from the Flock.  His contract was purchased by the Chinese professional league.

L.I. Ducks: Kirk Nieuwenhuis 8th Inning HR Turns Back Patriots

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

LIBERTY DIVISION SHOWDOWN

Ducks Lead Series 1-0

I - LID 3; SOM 2

6/12 - SOM @ LID

6/13 - SOM @ LID

Flock Gain Some Elbow Room: Ducks open up 1.5 game lead over Somerset Patriots.

The Patriots lead the Ducks 2-1 after seven full innings of play.  Somerset starter Brett Oberholtzer limits the Ducks to just one run on seven hits and one walk with seven strikeouts through seven solid innings pitched.  Long Island starter Joe Iorio likewise allows one earned run on seven hits and two walks over five innings pitched.  Both starters exit to no decisions.  In relief of Iorio, Cody Mincey yields one run on two hits (a home run by right fielder Michael Fransoso in the sixth) with four strikeouts through two innings.

Manager Wally Backman then turns to reliever Enrique Burgos who pitches a scoreless eighth.  With two outs in the bottom of the frame and Ezrquiel Carrera representing the tying run at third, Kirk Nieuwenhuis connects on his eighth home run of the season giving the Ducks a sudden 3-2 lead.

Josh Lueke in relief of Burgos then retires the Patriots in order in the ninth to earn his second save in only his fifth appearance since joining the Ducks.

• Lueke, a 34-year old right-hander with 72 games of MLB experience, came to the Ducks after posting a 4.64 ERA with 20 strikeouts though 21.1 innings over 20 relief appearances this season for Puebla of the Mexican league.

The Ducks improve to a league best 28-15 mark, with 26 games remaining before the break.  They also snap Somerset's six game winning streak.

L.I. Ducks: Trouble Ahead for First Place Flock

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

First Quarter Season Check Point

LIBERTY DIVISION STANDINGS (First Half)

Long Island  23-12  (*)

High Point    21-15  2.5 GB

Somerset     20-15   3.0 GB

New Britain  19-15   3.5 GB

Fresh off taking two of three from the York Revolution, Long Island arrives at the season's first-half check point a first place team.  They close out the weekend tied for most wins in the circuit with the Sugar Land Skeeters.  

With 33 games left till the break the race to capture a first half Liberty Division pennant begins now. But the road ahead is rife with danger as all four Liberty Division teams are presently playing above .500, with only 3.5 games separating fourth place from first.  That said, the Ducks open a four game series at New Britain against the Bees on Monday.  We all know how quickly things can go awry - especially if MLB teams continue plundering the Ducks of their pitching talent.  Suffice to say an intriguing series lay ahead at Connecticut and beyond.

Over the first quarter season the Ducks strength was clearly their pitching.  But where would the Ducks be without Sean Nolin?  He is tied for league lead with five wins (against no losses), his 1.29 ERA ranks second, and his 38 strikeouts rank third (tied with team mate Darin Downs).  He has yielded just 26 hits and six walks over 35 innings for a stellar 0.91 WHiP.  Will he be the next Ducks pitcher picked off by MLB?

Ducks Pitchers Contracts Selected by MLB Organizations:

• Jon Niese (Mariners)
• Tim Melville (Rockies)
• Tim Adleman (Tigers)
• Jose Cuas (D'Backs)
• Bennett Parry (Mexico)
• George Kontos (Nationals)

Lets just say David Washington is carrying the Ducks on his back.  He leads the league with a .612 slugging average and a .980 OPS.  He is also tied for the league lead with ten home runs, while his 27 RBI rank fifth, just two behind the leader.  Steve Lombardozzi is sixth in the league in hitting, slashing .318/.399/.434, with nine extra base hits and 19 RBI through 34 games 129 at-bats.  Kirk Nieuwehhuis has 14 extra base hits with a .791 OPS and is second on the team with 22 RBI through 31 games and 117 at-bats.

Otherwise the Ducks seem to getting the most of their middle of the pack offensive production.  Here is how they stack up against the circuit:

• Runs: #5
• Home Runs: #3
• Total Bases: #5
• Team Average: #6
• Team OBP: #6
• Team Slugging: #5

The second place High Point Rockers continue standing their ground with a 21-15 record.  Long Island dropped their first ever series at North Carolina back in May two games to one.  They host the Rockers for the first time next weekend at Bethpage Park, then return to High Point in mid June for a four game weekend series.  The Ducks also still have all nine first half games yet to play against rival Somerset.

L.I. Ducks: Former Mets Join to Upend Crabs in Ninth

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Ducks @ Crabs tied 1-1

I - SMD 3; LID 2

II - LID 2; SMD 1

ICYMI: Blue Crabs Walk Off With Game One Victory 

Long Island Ducks: Flock Return Favor With Ninth Inning Effort; Knot Four Game Series at One.

There's no need to fear ... Darin Downs is still here!

With MLB declaring open season on Ducks pitching, Long Island suddenly finds themselves needing extra added quality from their remaining starters.  Over their last respective starts, Bennett Parry and Darrin Downs have provided just that.

The indispensable third year Ducks hurler limited the Blue Crabs to an earned run on just four hits and a walk with ten strikeouts through seven innings pitched in game two at Southern Maryland.  He faced 26 batters, while throwing 93 pitches with 68 (73%) going for strikes.   He unfortunately exited the game with the score tied at one.

Meanwhile, Maryland starter Craig Stem was in the midst of polishing his own gem, allowing two earned runs on seven hits and no walks with seven strikeouts during a complete game, albeit losing effort.

Crabs left fielder Tony Thomas singled home the game's first run in the second.  Daniel Field's third home run of the season tied the game at one in the seventh.  After which, a trio of former Mets joined forces to impact the game.  Kirk Nieuwenhuis led-off the top of the ninth with a double, then advanced to third on L.J. Mazzilli's sacrifice bunt.  Next in, Matt den Dekker's base hit through the left side plated Nieuwenhuis from third with the go ahead run.

Joe Iorio earned the win in relief of Downs, while George Kontos, making just his second appearance for Long Island, pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his first save as a member of the Ducks.

Entering Tuesday's action Kirk Nieuwenhuis was leading the circuit with 15 RBI, while his .983 OPS rated fourth, and .345 average through 15 games ranks seventh.

The Ducks improve to 12-5 (.706) and remain one-half game behind the first place Somerset Patriots whom likewise turned away the High Point Rockers in Tuesday night action.  Long Island now leads the circuit with twelve victories.  They've played three more games than Somerset.

L.I. Ducks: Ninth Inning Melt Down at Maryland Costs Flock Shot at First

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Bennett Parry's Gem Goes For Not

Long Island Ducks (0-1)

vs.

Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (1-0)

Long Island Ducks: Bullpen Blows Game and Opportunity To Overtake Somerset Patriots.

There are two things Ducks fans have become accustomed with: a punch it out, drag em out, down to the wire division race against the Somerset Patriots, and MLB organizations regularly picking off Long Island Ducks pitchers at inconvenient times.  I know that's the way it's designed to work; Michael Pfaff does a good job securing personnel; and a world of luck to those whom move on; but it can be somewhat frustrating nonetheless.

Jon Niese wound up never throwing a pitch for the Ducks, when just days before opening day his contract was purchased by the Seattle Mariners.  After which Tim Melville had his contract purchased by the Colorado Rockies.  And now Tim Aldeman most recently had his contract purchased by the Detroit Tigers.

Although the standings reflect a tie in the Liberty Division standings, Somerset is only fractionally ahead of the Ducks:

• 1)  Patriots   11-3 (.785)  *
• 2)  Ducks      12-4 (.750)  *

After taking two of three at Sugar Land over the weekend, the Flock arrived at Southern Maryland on Monday to open a four game series against the Blue Crabs.  Ducks starter Bennett Parry pitched a gem, allowing no earned runs on just four hits and no walks with eight strikeouts through eight innings of work.

With a victory the Ducks could have assumed a half-game lead over Somerset, but wound up quite literally blowing their opportunity.  Charged with protecting a 2-1 lead in the ninth, the bullpen yielded two runs on three hits and a walk en route to Long Island's series opening loss to the Blue Crabs.

Kirk Nieuwenhuis was 2 for 4, and is now hitting .345 for the season.  Newcomer L.J. Mazzilli is also acclimating well to life as a Duck.  He went 3 for 4 with an RBI, and is batting .350 since joining the club.

L.I. Ducks: Kirk Nieuwenhuis Comes Through in the Ninth

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

MLB Plucking Ducks From the Pond

Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (0-1)

vs.

Long Island Ducks (1-0)

Bethpage Ballpark

Infielder Ivan DeJesus Jr. is the latest member of the Ducks to have his contract purchased, by the Chicago White Sox.  The 32-year old appeared in ten games for Long Island, slashing .306/.409/.333 through 36 at-bats.

In his place the Ducks have signed 28-year old free agent L.J. Mazzilli.  The Mets 2013 fourth round draft pick spent the majority of the 2018 season playing for the Yankees triple-A affiliate at Scranton/Wilkes Barre, where he batted .243 with 15 doubles, seven home runs, and 25 RBI in 230 at-bats.  He's a career .265 hitter through six minor league seasons.

After going 0 for 3 in his Long Island debut, Mazzilli went 1 for 2 with two walks, and two RBI, in game one of the Ducks series against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs on Tuesday.  The Ducks rallied from a 2-5 deficit after seven innings with a trio of runs in the eighth, and Kirk Nieuwenhuis' game winning hit in the ninth for a 6-5 final margin of victory.  Kirk now has ten RBI in the Ducks first 11 games.  Steve Lombardozzi hit his first home run of the season.

Pitcher Tim Melville's contract was recently purchased by Colorado Rockies, as well.  And it's no wonder.  In two starts he posted a 2-0 record with a 0.75 ERA, yielding seven hits in twelve innings pitched with 13 strikeouts.  In nine starts last season with the Ducks, he posted a 3.45 ERA on 47 innings pitched.  This is of course great news for Tim, but it's nonetheless a big blow to the starting rotation.

It's also no wonder the Ducks and Somerset Patriots are back at it.  Somerset is in the midst of a six game win streak, and hold a half game advantage over the second place Ducks in the Liberty Division standings.  The expansion High Point Rockers are off to a 6-6 start, and trail the Patriots by three games.

• Long Island Ducks

L.I. Ducks: Quack Attack Ends Three Day Siege of York

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

DUCKS SWEEP SERIES 3-0

I - LID 12; YRK 3

II - LID 14; YRK 0

III - LID 8; YRK 4

Flock Opens Season With Series Sweep of York Revolution.

Long Island's triumphant siege of the York Revolution has mercifully come to an end.  To the victors go the season opening series spoils: three games in the win column.

To say the Ducks regular season is off to a resounding start is putting it mildly.  With eight more runs in game three, Long Island outscores York in the series by a commanding 34-7 margin.

Matt den Dekker and Ivan DeJesus Jr. led Long Island's barrage with three hits apiece.  Matt went 3 for 5 with two doubles; DeJesus was likewise 3 for 5 with two RBI.  Kirk Nieuwenhuis was 2 for 4 with another two RBI.  The Ducks batted 16 for 40 (.347) for the game, and were 7 for 16 (.437) with runners in scoring position as part of an overall 16 hit, eight run attack.

Darin Downs started the game but did not qualify for the victory.  He allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and one walk with five strikeouts before exiting after four innings pitched.  Tim Adleman followed, allowing an earned run on two hits and a walk with three strikeouts through two innings en route to his first relief victory of the season.

L.I. Ducks: Tim Melville Redefines Pitch Economy With Gem Over York

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

SEASON OPENING SERIES

Ducks lead series 2-0

I - LID 12; YRK 3

II - LID 14; YRK 0

Long Island Ducks

vs.

York Revolution

Long Island batters unleashed a second straight Quack attack against the Revolution in game two at York, scoring against five of six pitchers faced.

Kirk Nieuwenhuis hit his first home run as a member of the Ducks, and drove in four runs as the designated hitter.  Eight different Ducks drove in at least one run apiece.  With another fourteen runs on Saturday (twelve earned), the Ducks have now amassed 26 runs in their first two games against the Revs.

However, Long Island pitching was the true story of game two.  Starter Tim Melville handed in one of the funkiest performances I've ever come across.  York had a clearly defined plan of attack against Melville, going after his first pitch throughout the game.   The results are curious to say the least.

• Tim Melville faced 22 batters through six innings pitched.  
• Three batters hit safely off Melville's first pitch.
• Two batters drew walks on exactly four pitches.
• Six batters struck out on exactly three pitches.
• Eleven batters were retired after swinging at the first pitch.
• Tim Melville threw just 40 pitches with 32 (80%) going for strikes!

This should also serve a lesson for pitching to contact.

But I digress ...

Relievers Kam Mickolio and Alex Katz joined to pitch three scoreless innings, allowing two hits and a walk with four strikeouts to close out Long Island's 14-0 whitewashing of the Revolution.

L.I. Ducks: Potent Quack Attack Too Much For York Revolution

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

SEASON OPENING SERIES

LONG ISLAND DUCKS

vs.

YORK REVOLUTION

Long Island Ducks: Flock open their 20th season of baseball with resounding victory over York Revolution.

Lead-off batter and center fielder Rey Fuentes set the pace going 3 for 5 with a walk, double, a run scored, and four RBI.  Second baseman Steve Lombardozzi was 3 for 4 with two walks, and two RBI.  Meanwhile Matt den Dekker goes 2 for 5 with two RBI playing in his first independent league game with the Ducks.

The visiting Flock jumped out to a one run lead on Steve Lombardozzi one-out triple to right, who with two outs scored when Lew Ford reached safely on an error charged to York shortstop Ryan Dent.  However, Long Island's lead was short lived.  Tabbed with the season opening start, Bennett Parry surrendered a three run home run off the bat of Dent in the bottom of the second. 

That's the way things stayed for both starting pitchers whom each put in five innings of work.  York's Ross Detwiler exited on the winning side of a 3-1 affair after allowing just the one unearned run on three hits, no walks, and four strikeouts.  Long Island's Bennett Parry exited on the hook having surrendered three earned runs on eight hits and two walks with four strikeouts.  But wound up earning the victory as both team's fortunes then changed on a dime in the sixth.  With the game placed in the hands of the respective bullpens, Long Island struck right away for six runs getting RBI hits from Rey Fuentes and Steve Lombardozzi, and a two run home run off the bat of Matt den Dekker.  York helped the Ducks along on third baseman Nate Coronado's throwing error, and a wild pitch unleashed by reliever Julio Perez.

Rey Fuentes plated two more runs with a hit in the eighth.  Then for good measure, the Ducks struck for three more runs in the ninth.  With the bases loaded, York reliever Trevor Reckling issued consecutive walks to Rey Fuentes and Steve Lombardozzi setting up Kirk Nieuwenhuis' hit which plated Long Island's final run of the game giving them a 12-3 final margin of victory.

Ducks relievers Joe Iorio, Jose Cuas, and Tucker Healey, joined together on four scoreless innings, allowing four hits, no walks, and striking out three.

Long Island Ducks 2019 Season Preview

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

LONG ISLAND DUCKS

2000   20th SEASON   2019

ATLANTIC LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

2004    2012    2013

Congratulations to Buddy Harrelson, Michael Pfaff, and the entire Long Island Ducks organization as they embark on their 20th season of professional baseball.

The naysayers said it couldn't be done.  Carving out a niche in and around the Big Apple - much less establishing a new independent league within the tri-state area - sounds as improbable now as I remember it then.  Yet, two decades later here they are.  With the unfortunate demise of the Bridgeport Bluefish (after the 2017 season), the Somerset Patriots became the lone remaining member club of the original Atlantic League charter, thus elevating the Ducks to second most senior team in the circuit.

Michael Pfaff's Quacks are backed by a passionate fan base stretching from Bensonhurst (yours truly) to Montauk Point whom consistently pack the Pond.  The same can be said of the well entrenched Patriots and their stalwart New Jersey fan base.  Suffice it say the rivalry between the two teams goes under-spoken, but is nonetheless epic.  Somerset leads all clubs with six Atlantic League championships, but none since getting realigned out of the Freedom Division after the 2015 season and into the same division with Long Island.  In each of the last three seasons, the Ducks have gone on to pull off amazing feats of victory in the Liberty Division playoffs over Somerset.  The Ducks are three time Atlantic League champions, but not since winning back-to-back titles six and seven years ago.  Although they've qualified for the finals the last three years running, they've fallen short each time; twice to a formidable Sugar Land Skeeters team, and once against the York Revolution.

If that alone does not serve to motivate the current cast of Quacks to greater altitudes, then Wally Backman will.  The old Mets firebrand is back, and looking to ruffle Atlantic League competition.  The man I longed to have piloting the New York Mets enters his first season as manager of the Long Island Ducks.  I congratulate him, and I'm happy for him.  As a manager he's both wild and wile, and a freak for small ball and fundamentals.  Wally makes his position crystal clear.  He's tough, demanding, and expects you to study your craft.  But he's also straightforward, a good teacher, and exudes support for his guys.  Everywhere he's been, players respected him, even lauded him.  Authority figures, not so much.  But I am no man's judge.  That said I believe he possesses a brilliant baseball mind rivaling the great managers of not too long ago.  I welcome him into the Flock's fold with wings wide open.

Ed Lynch, is not only one of my favorite Met pitchers of the time, he is likewise one of the most under rated Mets of all-time ... and he's from Brooklyn!  He was a bright light through some dark years during the early 1980s at Shea Stadium.  I felt terrible for him upon learning in 1986 he had been traded mid-season to the Cubs.  He was an important pitcher during their early rise to prominence.  Lynch rejoins his former teammate Wally Backman serving as team pitching coach.

Long Island now enters what I'll call the post John Brownell era.  The organization's all-time record setting starting pitcher retired after last season.  There's also no more Francisco Rodriguez in the bullpen.  Gone too from this year's lineup are the bats of Emilio Bonifacio, Jordany Valdespin, Taylor Ard, and Travis Snider.  The popular Cody Puckett is likewise gone, as is crowd favorite and long time shortstop Dan Lyons.

LINKS:

• MLB/Atlantic League Rule Changes
• Rules Update: Mound Distance
• Long Island Ducks
• Atlantic League
• Stats Baseball Reference

PITCHING STAFF

Tim Adleman (RHP)

• The 31-year old native New Yorker from Staten Island marks his first season with the Ducks.  Tim was originally drafted in 2010 by the Orioles, then spent the 2012 and 2013 seasons pitching in the independent American Association, and CanAm League, respectively.  By 2014 he was back to playing affiliated ball with the Cincinnati Reds organization.  He has 43 games of major league experience including 33 starts over two seasons (2016-2017) with the Reds.

Tyler Badamo (RHP)

• Hailing from Mount Sinai, New York, the 26-year old was originally drafted in 2014 by the New York Mets.  He owns a 12-13 record with a 3.79 ERA during four seasons of affiliated ball in the Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks organizations.  Back for his first full season with the Ducks, Badamo spent parts of last season pitching for New Britain and Sugar Land before landing on Long Island, where he posted a 3-3 record with a 3.38 ERA through seven starts.

Jake Fisher (LHP)

• The 27-year old independent league veteran returns for his third season, and second full season with the Ducks.  Jake last year posted an 8-7 record with a 3.92 ERA with 107 strikeouts in 133.1 innings pitched.

Brett Marshall (RHP)

• After making three appearances last year, Marshall returns for his first full season on Long Island.  A Yankees farm product, he last played MiLB in 2016 for Tampa's double-A affiliate.  Before joining the Ducks, he pitched parts of last season for Sugar Land and Southern Maryland.  He posted a combined 6-9 record with a 4.56 ERA in 25 total starts, with 108 strikeouts in 132.1 innings pitched.

Tim Melville (RHP)

• After making nine starts in 2017 for the Ducks, Tim returns for a second campaign on Long Island.  He spent last season pitching for Baltimore's triple-A affiliate where he made 14 starts and 40 overall appearances.  The 29-year old owns a 4.67 ERA in 861.1 career minor league innings pitched. 

Jon Niese (LHP)

• The 32-year old southpaw needs no introduction.  Local fans know him very well.  He was a member of the 2015 National League champion Mets.  I suspect many Ducks/Mets fans will be flocking to Bethpage Ballpark throughout the upcoming season to watch him pitch - every pun intended.  Niese spent nine season pitching in Queens, compiling a 61-62 record and 3.99 ERA, with 838 strikeouts through 1,079.1 innings pitched.  He pitched his last MLB game in 2016 for the Pittsburgh Pirates.  The upcoming season marks Jon Niese's return to baseball after a two year hiatus.

LHP Jon Niese becomes the first 2019 @LIDucks to have his contract purchased by an @MLB club - @Mariners have purchased & assigned him to their Triple-A affiliate. Congrats Jon!

— Michael Pfaff (@LIDucksGM) April 24, 2019

Bennett Parry (LHP)

• Now entering his second season with the Ducks, Parry spent five seasons in the Baltimore Orioles organization before moving on to Lincoln of the American Association for two seasons.  An Atlantic League all-start least season, he posted a 6-1 record with a 2.86 ERA in 14 starts, with 116 strikeouts in 85 innings pitched for a 12.3 K/9 average.

BULLPEN

Enrique Burgos (RHP)

• He spent ten seasons in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization before moving on in 2017 to the Atlanta Braves triple-A affiliate.  He spent last year pitching in Mexico.  He owns a 6-4 record and 4.43 ERA through 91.1 innings at triple-A.  Burgos has 73 games of MLB experience (2015-2016), all in relief for Arizona with a 5.27 ERA and 10.8 K/9 average in 68.1 innings pitched.

Jose Cuas (RHP)

• The infielder turned relief pitcher is back for his second season with the Ducks.  The 24-year old appeared in 22 games last season all in relief, posting a 2.38 ERA, with a 6.4 H/9 and 6.9 K/9 average in 22.2 innings pitched.  Jose played for Grand Street High School in Brooklyn!  The Milwaukee Brewers selected him in the 11th round of the 2015 draft.

Darin Downs (LHP)

• The 34-year old southpaw previously pitched on Long Island in 2015 and 2016, and now returns for his third season with the Ducks.  He spent last season pitching in Mexico for Monterrey where he posted a 3.42 ERA in 26.1 innings pitched.  He owns a 4.03 ERA through 764.1 career minor league innings pitched.  Downs is a three year MLB veteran with a 4.76 ERA and 8.3 K/9 average in 90.2 career innings pitched.

Tucker Healy (RHP)

• The soon to be 29-year old owns a career 3.24 ERA, 1.242 WHiP, with a 7.5 H/9 average and 11.3 K/9 average in 319.2 career innings mostly spent in the Oakland A's organization.  He enters his first season on Long Island after making 20 appearances last year for Tacoma of the Pacific Coast League.  All of his 249 career appearances have come in relief.

Joe Iorio (RHP)

• The 27-year old Frontier League veteran of four seasons enters his first campaign with the Ducks.  He owns a career 3.95 ERA, 1.338 WHiP, and 10.2 K/9 average through 95.2 innings pitched.  He's coming off a breakout 2018 season, posting a 1.46 ERA with 55 strikeouts in 49.1 innings pitched, while allowing just 36 hits and seven walks for a 0.872 WHiP.

Vin Mazzaro (RHP)

• The first time Duck was originally selected by the Oakland A's in the third round of the 2005 draft.  A veteran of eight (2009-2016) MLB seasons, he owns a 24-23 career record and 4.79 ERA in 383 innings pitched.  Of his 140 career appearances, 95 have been in relief.  Last season he posted ten saves with a 1.76 ERA in 46 innings pitched for the New Jersey Jackals of the CanAm League.  He surrendered just 33 hits and 10 walks for a 0.935 WHiP, with 44 strikeouts for an 8.6 K/9 average.

Alex Katz (LHP)

• Another local born in Manhasset, New York, Alex attended St. John's University in Queens.  The 24-year old owns a 3.95 ERA in 200.1 career innings pitching in the White Sox and Orioles respective  systems.  Last season he struck out 47 batters in 44.1 innings pitching for single-A Delmarva.

BEHIND THE PLATE

Ramon Cabrera (C)

• At 29-years of age, Ramon returns for a second season on Long Island.  Last year he batted .268 in 84 games and 313 at-bats, with 21 doubles, three home runs, and 31 RBI.  Over a ten year MiLB career he's a career .282 hitter, with a 24% rate of caught stealing, and .991 fielding average.  Ramon played in 74 MLB games with the Cincinnati Reds.

Hector Sanchez (C)

• Now 29-years old, he spent last season playing for Sacramento of the Pacific Coast League.  Over the course of seven (2011-2017) seasons, he slashed .238/.273/.367, with 59 extra base hits and 120 RBI through 347 games and 783 at-bats, and owned a .992 FA, with a 25% rate of caught stealing as a major league catcher.  In 498 career MiLB games, he is a .286/.359/.449 career slasher with 52 home runs and 309 RBI in 1,700 at-bats.

Wagner Gomez (C, RP)

• Sometimes pitcher, sometimes catcher - who knows - Gomez is another man of many, if not enigmatic talents.  He enjoyed a brief cup of coffee late last year, and returns in search of a full season on Long Island.  But in what capacity remains to be seen.  He played two games last season in which he managed four at-bats, but also pitched and finished a game with one full inning of work.  His five year minor league career with the Reds organization ended after 2014, after which he remained unlisted for three seasons until joining the Ducks.

AROUND THE HORN

David Washington (1B)

• David last season was Long Island's main sources of power.  In 113 games and 399 at-bats, he hit 16 doubles, a team high 24 home runs, with 71 RBI, and eighteen stolen bases.  For the 28-year old, his prime athletic years lay dead ahead.

Vladimir Frias (2B, SS)

• Drafted by the Giants in 2008, Frias last participated in affiliated ball in 2017 with Arizona's double-A club.  Otherwise, the now 34-year old infielder spent the previous two seasons as a standout with the Lancaster Barnstormers.  Last year he slashed .282/.350/.411, with 24 extra base hits and 39 RBI in 287 at-bats.  He also stole 16 bases and was caught only twice.

Ivan De Jesus, Jr. (SS, 2B)

• It seems as if Ivan has been playing forever.  He was 18-years old in 2005 when he broke in with the Los Angeles Dodgers rookie league squad.  He is a career .302 hitter through eight season at triple-A; and a career .300 hitter in 13 overall MiLB seasons.  De Jesus is also a Winter League stalwart, and brings with him 228 games of major league experience.  He played last season for the triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox.  The soon to be 32-year old enters his first season playing independent baseball.

Rando Moreno (SS, 2B)

• The soon to be 27-year old, spent last season playing for the San Rafael Pacifics of the independent Pacific Association, where he slashed .305/.356/.432, with 33 extra base hots, and 55 RBI through 80 games and 354 at-bats.  He scored 71 runs, and stole 25 bases while getting caught just once.  Prior to that, he spent seven seasons in the San Francisco Giants organization.

Steve Lombardozzi (3B, 2B)

• In six years of major league service, the 30-year old infielder slashed .260/.292/.333, with 43 extra base hits and 52 RBI in 291 games and 786 at-bats.  He spent last season playing for Nashville of the Pacific Coast League where he batted .243 with 19 extra base hits and 42 RBI over 120 games.  This season marks Steve's return to the Atlantic League.  He previously  played 40 games in 2016 for the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs where he slashed .367/.401/.428, with nine extra base hits and 20 RBI in 166 at-bats.

Mike Olt (1B/3B)

• Hailing from New Haven, Connecticut, Mike attended spring training with the Minnesota Twins.  He spent the last two seasons in the Red Sox organization.  In 2017 he hit 23 doubles and 16 home runs, with 57 RBI in 392 at-bats for double-A Portland.  He has 135 games of MLB service.  While with the Cubs in 2014, he hit 12 home runs with 33 RBI in 225 at-bats.

OUTFIELD

Matt den Dekker (L/L)

• Another familiar face, Matt has 166 major league games of experience most popularly with the Mets, along with the Nationals and Tigers.  He owns an MLB slash of .223/.305/.337, with 27 extra base hits and 30 RBI through 368 big league at-bats.  In 811 games over a nine year minor league career, he slashed .271/.335/.447 with 86 home runs and 401 RBI.  Now 31-years old, he spent last season playing for Las Vegas of the Pacific Coast League.

Daniel Fields (L/R)

• Back for his second season with the Ducks, Daniel last season slashed .267/.345/.425, with 21 doubles, nine home runs, 40 RBI, and 12 stolen bases through 96 games and 341 at-bats.  He spent the 2017 season playing for the now defunct Bridgeport Bluefish, for whom he slashed .297/.387/.486, with 12 home runs and 51 RBI in 85 games.  Originally drafted in 2009 by the Detroit Tigers, the 28-year old played his only ever MLB game in 2015, going 1 for 3, with a double.

Rey Fuentes (L/L)

• Drafted in the first round of the 2009 draft by the Boston Red Sox, Rey was later shipped to the San Diego Padres in 2010 as part of Boston's transaction to acquire first baseman Adrian Gonzalez.  Now 28-years old, he has exactly 100 games of MLB experience.  A perennial Winter League participant, he spent the last two seasons playing at Reno of the Pacific Coast League where last year he batted .265 in 2018 with 11 doubles, six home runs, and 39 RBI in 302 at-bats.

Kirk Nieuwenhuis (L/R)

• Long Island welcomes another former Mets outfielder, the California dreamer himself.  Since debuting for the Mets back in 2012, he remained active in major league baseball through the 2017 season.  He spent last season playing for Tacoma of the Pacific Coast League.  I caught my first glimpse of Kirk - like so many other Mets prospects - at Coney Island when he played for the Brooklyn Cyclones.  He enjoyed his best season in 2016 while with Milwaukee where he hit 18 doubles and 13 home runs, with 44 RBI in 335 at-bats.

Lew Ford (R/R) - player/coach

• The Texas born globetrotter returns to Long Island for his tenth season with the Ducks.  Before making the Pond his permanent residence, Lew played on baseball diamonds across America, as well as Canada, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Venezuela, and across the Pacific in Japan.  Oh, the stories he can tell.  Now 42-years young, Ford is coming off one of his best seasons in which he slashed .293/.353/.432, with 33 doubles, ten home runs, and 73 RBI in 123 games and 468 at-bats.  The trick was staying healthy after nagging injuries compromised both his 2016 and 2017 seasons.

Ducks: Spring Training Invitees

Long Island's season kicks off on the road against the Revolution at York, Pennsylvania on Friday.  Their home opener at Bethpage Ballpark is scheduled for the following Friday, May 3, in a return series against the Revolution.  The Ducks also have a new member club joining the Liberty Division.  The High Point Rockers hailing out of North Carolina are now open for business.  They replace the defunct Bridgeport Bluefish.  The Sugar Land Skeeters are defending Atlantic League champions.  They've won in two of the last three years, defeating the Long Island Ducks each time.

N.Y. Mets: A Long Trip From Brooklyn to Kansas City

From the desks of:

HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET  and  THE SURF AVENUE SLUGGERS

Coney Island to Kansas City: 1,230 miles

NEW YORK METS: What's a kid from Brooklyn doing in a place like Kansas City? Anybody know a good place for an egg cream?

For several Mets players, and many Mets fans, the trip to Kansas City for this year's World Series showdown against the Royals started in good old Brooklyn town.

Seven Mets prospects played in Coney Island to be exact, before eventually graduating to the big club in Queens.

Starting with Daniel Murphy back in 2006, and through last year when   Michael Conforto nearly led the Brooklyn Cyclones to the NYPL playoffs single-handed, Lucas Duda, Wilmer Flores, Kirk Nieuwenhuis,  Kevin Plawecki, and Juan Lagares, all additionally called Kings County their transient
home.

I feel it is my great fortune to have the Brooklyn Cyclones playing in my back yard. Then again, Coney Island is every Brooklynite's back yard and playground.

Watching Mets young hopefuls get their first real taste of big market baseball has been a
rewarding experience over the last 15 years for me.

How can Brooklyn and baseball, and Baseball in Brooklyn, provide otherwise?

It's a natural!

Now we get to see and root for some our favorite Baby Bums on the biggest stage of all.  Cheering them on the way we do in Brooklyn sort of makes us feel like proud parents.

Represent us well, Boys, and Let's Go Mets!

My Latest for Rising Apple: Who should the Mets backup outfielders be in 2015?

Here's my latest for

RisingApple.com

Who Should The Mets Backup Outfielders Be For 2015?


Previously:

Rookie of the Year: Mets Hits and Near Misses

Mike
senior staff writer/Rising Apple

N.Y. Mets: Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained

From the desk of:   HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

NEW YORK METS - The S.S. Wilpon Is Still Bobbing Atop A Glass Top Surface In Flushing Bay.


Have the last twenty innings of baseball caused irreparable damage to your senses as they did mine?  My nostrils are singed - my eyes irritated and red.


Like the stench of dead rotting FISH under a blazing summer sun, so too does the Mets line-up wreak - of offensively magnificent futility.  Thirteen hits off eight different pitchers, while just five hits came off Miami's regulation time front five, rank foul like melting fish heads and seagull pickings left behind on a dock.  That's six hits per nine innings played-plus, or try, thirteen hits is the equivalent of 2.2 games played.  Runs scored, or lack there of, also cross my eyes with shock.  The Mets scored just one run over the same stretch of innings.  They were 0-19 with runners in scoring position.  That averages to just under one failure per inning.  In all, the Mets left a total of twenty-two runners on base.  All this against the Miami Marlins, statistically, the worst team in baseball.


When overwhelmed with such odoriferous circumstances, one instantly ponders what got them into such a situation, and what's the quickest escape.  To both queries, the Wilpons got us into this mess, and as die-hard fans, there's no way out.  There is no removing the pungent smell of decay in a floundering local fish market, when the owners of the market itself are the embedded root offenders.  The condition is, under the Wilpon's, the Mets stink, and as such, a fish rots from the head, down.  In the mean time, we continue getting served the three-eyed, LaGuardia raised jet fuel dumped AAAA-grade catch of the day oozing in the muck off Flushing Bay.  And while making no disparaging remarks about their final market product, the species used by McDonald's for their fish fillets are one of the ugliest on the planet.  And well...the Mets season is right there with them.  My mom would always make my son eat a fish-o-fillet if he wanted McDonalds.  Mr. Wilpon feeds us this.


Almost a third of the way into June, I just can't help but feel, time continues to be of the essence.  I am still not detecting the sense of urgency I feel Sandy Alderson should be operating with.  At least Sandy Alderson gained some clarity, finally tossing Rick Ankiel back in the water.  Outfielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis was recalled from Las Vegas to take his place on the active roster - finally, if anything, some one else.  Perhaps now Marlon Byrd, who in no way projects into the Mets future plans, can be thrown overboard as well.  The Mets paid fisherman still has many more decisions to make regarding where to cast his current and future net.  Just as the season is long, unfortunately, bobbing and trolling on a glass-top ocean is tedious. Twenty innings is a long time to think, or hold a rod.  As reeling Rick Ankiel aboard a dead man's boat was so incredibly inconsequential to begin with, I was left to think when will Sandy Alderson consider casting the really beg net?  Such as life aboard the S.S. Wilpon.  Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum.





Mike.BTB

N.Y. Mets: Sandy Alderson's "Angle" in the Outfield

From the desk of:   HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET

OF - Fernando Martinez

This Former Mets' Prospect Was a Major Bust.

He was said to be a five tool player.  Too bad none of them worked.

NEW YORK METS:

Organizational Summary; Minor League Outfield Prospects.

That's not a typing error.  I said angle, not angel.  What's Sandy Alderson's angle?  Or more to the point, how is he going to upgrade this outfield?


From left field to right, the grounds of Flushing beyond the infield are a veritable no man's land.  Even the guys who run chop-shops across the street from Citi Field's right field gate maintain a more stable living than the list of players who've roamed the grass lands of Citi Field in search of steady employment.  Two of the three Mets outfielders; Lucas Duda, and Kirk Nieuwenhuis; who helped launch the team to first half heights are currently elsewhere.  While Duda's return to the club is eminent, none-the-less, he is back playing in Buffalo.  Kirk Nieuwenhuis is even farther away from Flushing.  He's in Port St. Lucie attending to a torn plantar fascia in his right foot.


Left to man three outfield positions is a consortium of Andres Torres, Jordany Valdespin, Jason Bay, Jerry Hairston, and the recently activated Mike Baxter.  Maybe Mike Baxter is a personal favorite to some fans, and perhaps others have developed a liking for Jordany Valdespin.  That's all fine and well. But truth is, all three outfield positions are in dire need of upgrades - Major, major, upgrades.  And so personal tastes aside, we'll have to say good-bye to some of these players.  If not all of them...?


Lucas Duda is still the number one hopeful.  He was being counted on to increase the Mets power potential this season.  If that was one season too premature for placing such expectations on him, then we're all guilty as charged.  But there are still many people pulling for him, to include the organization. Thing is, when his head is screwed on straight, and he is feeling self-confident, he sweetly takes lefties to left field, and pulls right-handers with power.  But when he's down, he falls like an ACME safe in the desert.


I believe one of Lucas Duda's biggest problems, if not the biggest, was not having any protection behind him in the line-up.  Without Jason Bay, or any other right-handed bat protecting him, pitchers had no reason at all to offer Duda something appetizing, or remotely decent.  That can mess up any hitter's thinking.  Just look how the same scenario wreaked havoc on David Wright, until he readjusted.


The jury is still out on Kirk Neiuwenhuis.  All he is at this point, is a good story; until he got hurt that is.  Somewhere between his jump from AA-Binghampton to AAA-Buffalo, he lost his ability to hit double-digit home runs per season.  Now, injuries have taken a bite out of his season for the second consecutive year.


It is hard to determine what the Mets have in either player.  What Duda and Nieuwenhuis are not doing so far, is showing glimpses of stardom.  That might be unfair to say.  But at least show some consistency then.  They might yet earn another season to prove they are worthwhile players.  But they can just as easily get packaged and shipped in a trade without being terribly missed.  Am I right?


When it comes to Jason Bay, why beat a dead horse?  I know why.  Because he hasn't been shipped off to the glue factory yet.  The money owed him is just too prohibitive to negotiate or push out the door, which has served to paralyze the Mets and Jason Bay in place.  The club has made it clear they will not be eating the remainder of his contract which runs through next season.  The only hope here is the Winter months bring with them a surprise transaction.


Andres Torres must have eaten a lot of Wheaties during the 2010 season.  But the sun shines on a dog's posterior at least once a day too.  However well Andres played in that 2010 season, he never played like that before, and never came close to replicating that season again.  Just speaking on his one year as a Met so far, Sandy Alderson's pick-up has been an unmitigated failure.  There were low expectations for him to begin with.  But something from nothing, still leaves nothing.


Scott Hairston?  Sandy Alderson is holding on to him like a family heirloom.  That's his prerogative.  The Mets still need bench players.  Hairston not fooling any one either.  He is pretty much playing to the back of his baseball card.


That leaves Mike Baxter.  And what can we say about Mike Baxter?  See Scott Hairston.


So now what?  The only players the Mets have under control are the ones in their farm system.  For the moment, anything else is pure speculation.  Whether the Mets continue grooming these prospects for eventual play on the big club, or are just interested in turning them over for eventual upgrades is inconsequential.


For starters, here is a short list of the outfield seeds planted throughout the Mets farmland:

** MiLB Statistics as of August 13, 2012


Brandon Nimmo - Class-A NYPL.
Nineteen years old; Bats left.
He is currently batting .273 for the Brooklyn Cyclones.
In 183 at-bats - 31 runs, 18 doubles, 3 home runs, 25 rbi, .391 obp, .432 slg., 30 walks.

Brandon's is the story of two seasons - before he was inserted into the lead-off slot, and after being appointed lead-off batter.  On July 24th, he finished the day 1 for 3 hitting eighth in the order, and ended the day with a .228 average.  On July 25th, he was inserted into the lead-off spot.  The Cyclones have played eighteen games since then.  Brandon has batted ..375 over that span accumulating twenty-one hits in fifty-six at-bats.  He has raised his season average to a .277 mark now.  Brandon Nimmo is among the New York Penn League leaders in doubles, walks, and on-base percentage.


*


Dustin Lawley - Class-A; South Atlantic League.
Twenty-three years old; Bats left.
He is currently batting .277 for the Savanna Sand Gnats.
In 419 at-bats - 72 runs, 33 doubles, 13 home runs, 61 rbi, .353 obp, .463 slg.

Playing the majority of 2010 in Kingsport, Dustin is up-ticking during a full season with the Sand Gnats.  In 2010, he slugged .510 for the season.  Forty-nine of his 116 hits this season have been for extra bases.


*


Cory Vaughn - Class-A; Florida State League.
Twenty-three years old; Bats right.
He is currently batting .239 for the St. Lucie Mets.
In 397 at-bats - 63 runs, 20 doubles, 18 home runs, 54 rbi, .351 obp, .441 slg.

After a triumphant first season in Brooklyn, offensively, he has stayed fairly consistent through stops in Savanna and St. Lucie; all except for his batting average which has slid precipitously since his Brooklyn days.  He established a few offensive record for the Cyclones in his first professional season.  He should be making the jump to Binghampton next season.


*


Darrell Ceciliani - Class-A; Florida State League.
Twenty-two years old; Bats left.
He is currently batting .283 for the St. Lucie Mets in only fourteen games due to injury.

After a less than stellar showing in Kingsport in 2009, Darrell received a promotion to Brooklyn for the 2010 season.  His .351 season average qualified to win the New York Penn League's batting title.  But things haven't gone as smoothly for him since.  He battled injuries this season, and has only appeared in fourteen games so far for the St. Lucie Mets.


*


Joe Bonfe - Split time between A-St. Lucie and AA-Binghampton.
Twenty-four years old; Bats right.
With A-St. Lucie - .152 avg, 33 at-bats, 4 runs, 1 double, 3 rbi.
With AA-Binghampton - .318 avg, 44 at-bats, 7 hits, 1 double, 4 rbi.

He finished his first two seasons (2009, 2010) in the minors batting above the .300 mark.  After dipping in Savanna in 2011, he struggled early again in St. Lucie this season.  Regardless, he was pushed up to Binghampton where his numbers are now appear up to snuff again.


*


Juan Lagares - Class-AA; Eastern League.
Twenty-three years old; Bats right.
He is currently batting .281 for the Binghampton Mets.
In 427 at-bats - 63 runs, 24 doubles, 6 triples, 3 home runs, 42 rbi, 20 stolen bases, .336 obp.

Juan has been in the Mets possession since the 2006 season.  He finally made his state-side minor league debut in 2007 with Savanna.  Since then, every season has been an incremental uptick through the Mets system.  He now plays for Binghampton, sporting a career minor league .270 batting average.  Last season was his best.  Splitting time between St. Lucie and Binghampton, he batted .349 for the season, and slugged .500 on the nose.  In 471 at-bats, he had 71 rbi.


*


Matt Den Decker - Split time between AAA-Buffalo and AA-Binghampton.
Twenty-five years old; Bats left.
-With AA-Binghampton - .340 avg, 238 at-bats, 47 runs, 21 doubles, 8 home runs, 29 rbi, .397 obp, .563 slg, .960 ops.
-With AAA-Buffalo - .206 avg, 218 at-bats, 31 runs, 10 doubles, 8 home runs, 35 rbi, .241 obp

After raking for half a season in Binghampton, Matt has struggled in Buffalo.  Statistically speaking though, Matt might be the best prospect the Mets have to yet break into the Bigs.


*


That's the extent of what the Mets have in uniform, and under organizational control.  I think it is safe to say, up above and down below, the Mets are lacking a sensational outfielder.  If Sandy Alderson's master plan is designed for the 2013, and 2014 season, these are the Mets we will either see on the big club, or the bodies Sandy Alderson will use in trades.


Good luck with that, Boss.


Plain and simple - The Mets need power production.  Ike Davis is not going anywhere; at least we don't believe.  And the David Wright contract drama is still a bridge we must cross.  So traditionally speaking, the Mets must seek an infusion of power from their outfielders.  The Mets are one of seven National League teams not to break one-hundred home runs so far this season.  They currently rank eleventh in the National League, and twenty-fifth in all of Baseball.


Remarkably, the Mets have scored the seventh most runs in the senior circuit.  They additionally rank third in doubles, fifth in walks, and fifth in on-base percentage.  But when it comes to team slugging, they still remain under .400 and rank tenth in the National League.


In so many games, just a little more power could have provided the margin of error the Mets bullpen woes necessitated.  Offensively, if Ike Davis straightens himself out, and David Wright re-ups with the club, then just one formidable bat in either corner outfield position will do.


Team speed and a lead-off hitter is another conversation.  Or do you like Ruben Tejada leading off?  I would rather he didn't.




Mike/BTB

N.Y. Mets ~ Bombers' Bullpen Slams Door on Game Two

From the desks of:   HEAD-BUTTING MR. MET  and  BLAME CARLOS MAY

Roosevelt Avenue Showdown

SUBWAY SERIES ~ FLUSHING

I  -  NYM 6; NYY 4

II  -  NYY 4; NYM 3

III  -  Sunday Evening

NEW YORK METS:  Bomber Subs Dump On Chris Young's Effort.  Mets Strand Too Many Runners as Yankees' Bullpen Slams Door on Game Two.

Mike Pelfrey's replacement pitched scoreless baseball through five innings.  The Mets staked Chris Young to a two run lead.  Kirk Nieuwenhuis homered in the third inning off Ivan Nova, and Josh Thole's fielder's choice brought home Scott Hairston in the fourth.


In the sixth, Chris Young faced Alex Rodriguez with one out and Curtis Granderson on first.  Young induced a pop-up to short.  Granderson went on to steal second base.  Then Robinson Cano followed with an inning ending pop-up, this time to David Wright at third.  The Yankees remained scoreless.


In the home sixth, Daniel Murphy led off by lacing a double to left-center.  Scott Hairston did a great job laying off some nasty breaking balls, but struck out on an Ivan Nova fastball right down the middle.  Omar Quintanilla moved Murphy to third on a topper to Derek Jeter at short.  The Yankees then intentionally walked Josh Thole so as to face the pitcher, Chris Young, with two outs.  Coach Terry let his starter bat.  And the Mets' starter rewarded his manager by promptly serving Ivan Nova's first pitch; a fastball; very cleanly to right field, scoring Murphy from third.


With Chris Young helping his own cause, the Mets picked up their much needed insurance run and chased Ivan Nova from the game.  In came Clay Rapada from the Yankees' bullpen to face Kirk Nieuwenhuis.  Rapada got Nieuwenhuis swinging to end the Mets' threat, and hold the Mets to a 3-0 lead.


Out came Chris Young for the seventh inning.  He issued his third walk of the evening to Mark Teixiera leading off.  Nick Swisher then served a liner to right which Lucas Duda misplayed, but was backed up by Nieuwenhuis to keep runners at first and third.  With no move to the bullpen, Raul Ibanez then stepped up and hooked Chris Young's first pitch just inside the right field foul pole for a three run home run, and a tie game.


With Chris Young's night finished, Jon Rauch entered the game to face Russell Martin.  Rauch caught Martin looking.  Pinch hitting for Clay Rapada, Eric Chavez then drove a high fastball just inside the left field foul pole this time, for a go ahead home run.


Cody Eppley came in from the Yankees' pen to face the Mets in the home seventh.  Jodany Valdespin led off with a floater to left, where Raul Ibanez couldn't make a catch.  The ball got away some, and Valdespin made it safely to second.  David Wright moved Valdespin to third on a grounder to Cano.
Joe Girardi then opted to bring Boone Logan into the game to face Lucas Duda.  Lucas swung at a breaking ball, looked at a breaking ball, then swung at another breaking ball, before making his way back to the dugout.  Daniel Murphy followed, and struck out on three pitches as well.


Still leading 4-3 in the eighth, the Yankees turned the ball over to David Robertson.  After striking out Hairston, he walked Omar Quintanilla, and Josh Thole.  With one out, Justin Turner stepped in and looked at strike three on the inside corner.  With two on, Kirk Nieuwenhuis took his turn with two outs.  After Robertson blew a couple of fastballs by him, the teams headed into the ninth.


Jeremy Hefner pitched a scoreless frame, setting up the Mets' last licks against Rafael Soriano in the home ninth.  Jodany Valdespin swung through a strike three fastball for out number one.  David Wright finally punched through with a single; his first hit of the game.  Lucas Duda then stepped in with one out and struck out on a series of nasty breaking balls.  Daniel Murphy came up and lofted a long, hopeful fly to the right field corner.  But it wasn't enough.  Nick Swisher made the catch, and whooped it up in the corner with a Yankee fan.  Game over.  Thuuugh Yankees win.


Ponderous!  There is nothing to be happy about when you lose to Raul Ibanez and Eric Chavez.  The largest crowd in Citi Field's brief history watched the Mets knock Ivan Nova out of the box, then let one get away.  And what a shame Chris Young's effort went down the toilet.  He was cruising along until the 7-train got derailed with four runs in the seventh.  Overall, the Mets left eleven men on base, and batted 1 for 14 with runners in scoring position. So it's not like the Mets weren't without chances. They had plenty.


On the other side, what a job the Yankees' bullpen turned in.  In 3.1 innings, five relivers combined to allow two hits, no runs, they walked two, and struck out eight Mets.  It was quite a formidible display.


The Mets suffered their first loss in their last five games.  The Yankees snapped their three game losing streak.  Sunday night will be the Roosevelt Avenue showdown everyone has been waiting for; C.C. Sabathia versus R.A. Dickey in the rubber game.





Mike.BTB