From the desks: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE & THAT RICHMOND COUNTY CLUB
EMPIRE STATE
BATTLE of the BIRDS
vs.
Stephen Tarpley, Ducks Bullpen Outduel Ferry Hawks in Series Opener on Staten Island
The battle of the birds resumed at Richmond County grounds on Tuesday.
Left-hander
Stephen Tarpley climbed the hill for Long Island, and seven-year independent league veteran
Dakota Freese started for the host Ferry Hawks. Both pitchers held the opposition scoreless through the first four innings, each allowing just two hits, respectively.
The Ferry Hawks threatened in the fifth, but with runners on the corners and one out, catcher
Bryan Gonzalez bounced into an inning-ending 5-4-3 double play.
Long Island finally broke through in the sixth. Recently acquired
Phil Caulfield drew a one-out walk and soon scored on
Alejandro De Aza's fielder's choice to second.
Staten Island threatened again in the home sixth with three consecutive singles to load the bases. But with one out, Stephen Tarpley struck out center fielder
Ricardo Cespedes for out number two, then fanned
Dilson Herrera on five pitches to end the frame.
Starter Dakota Freese allowed one run on three hits and two walks with four strikeouts in six innings.
The Ducks promptly put two runners on base on an E-5 and a hit-by-pitch. Reynoso gathered himself and struck out
Dustin Woodcock for out number two. Shortstop
Vladimir Frias popped out to Dilson Herrera in foul territory to end the threat.
Starter Stephen Tarpley allowed six hits and one walk with eight strikeouts over six scoreless innings pitched. He faced 23 batters while throwing 90 pitches, with 57 (63.3%) going for strikes.
Alejandro De Aza was hit with a pitch in the eighth and left the game. It was the second batter hit by Eddy Reynoso. It gave the Ducks runners on first and second with no outs. With
Sam Travis at the plate,
L.J. Mazzilli got thrown out at third on the front end of an attempted double steal. Travis then bounced back to the pitcher.
Southpaw
Tyler Webb entered the game in the bottom of the eighth in relief of Nick Goody.
Right-hander
Joe Kuzia pitched a scoreless top half of the ninth for Staten Island.
Former Arizona Diamondback farmhand
Kai-Wei Lin was tasked by Wally Backman with closing out the ninth, and he did not disappoint, retiring the side in order and striking out the last man looking.
Three Staten Island pitchers limited the Ducks to just three hits. Dakota Freese took the loss.
Stephen Tarpley improves to 3-3 with a 2.75 ERA.
The Ducks and Ferry Hawks have now played ten games this season, with Long Island winning seven and Staten Island three. However, the teams are even at 3-3 over their last six meetings.
