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 Acquire Nate Freiman; Win Third Straight over Blue Crabs

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Break up the Ducks..!

They've won three straight games;

will attempt a series sweep over Southern Maryland 

on Sunday.

LONG ISLAND DUCKS: Michael Pfaff wisely polishes the infield diamond alignment.

A little home cooking has seemingly turned things around for Long Island, who've won three of the first four games in their Opening Day weekend series against the Blue Crabs.  They'll put their mini winning streak on the line Sunday when Bruce Kern climbs the hill opposing former Ducks pitcher Shaun Garcaeu.

After starting the season 0-4, Saturday's 5-4 victory allowed the Ducks to complete the month of April with a 4-6 record.  On that note, the Somerset Patriots remain undefeated with a 10-0 record.

Saturday, newly signed first baseman Nate Freiman made his Ducks debut against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs.  He batted in the clean-up spot Saturday, going 1 for 4, with a run scored, and 3 strikeouts.

Freiman brings two years of MLB experience playing for the Oakland A's, where he combined to play in 116 games.  In 277 at-bats, he slashed .256/.309/.448, with 13 doubles, 9 home runs, and 39 RBI.

Nate is otherwise a seven year minor league vet.  He totaled 613 at-bats over parts of three AAA seasons, slashing .250/.322/.413, with 37 doubles, 19 home runs, and 106 RBI.

The transaction allowed Coach Baez to shift Sean Burroughs, who started the season at first base, back to his natural position of third.  That in tuns allows Cody Puckett to likewise shift and solidify second base.

Blake Barber started the season at second base, but was released to make room for Freiman.  Utility infielder Matt Wessinger will continue playing off the bench.

Sunday's game 

was rained out.

L.I. Ducks: Sweet and Sour Start

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

OPENING DAY

Blue Crabs   4

DUCKS         6

FINAL

GAME TWO

Southern Maryland Blue Crabs

(LHP - Scott Snodgrass)

vs.

Long Island Ducks

(LHP - Jack Snodgrass)

YOU READ THAT RIGHT...

FROM

THE POND

Long Island Ducks: Anxiety Over Poor Start Eased by Opening Day Victory.

Opening Day was a success.  Long Island Ducks fans were treated to a 6-4 victory over the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs in the season's first game at Bethpage Ballpark.

Starter Bobby Blevins pitched 5 innings in posting his first win of the season, and Todd Coffey registered his first save.  Delta Cleary Jr, and Sean Burroughs led offensively with 2 RBI apiece.

Okay, terrific...

Unfortunately, Thursday night's Opening Day victory was only their second of this very young season, and merely tied them with these very same Blue Crabs for the worst start among this season's Atlantic League members.

For both Long Island and Southern Maryland, their respective 2-6 records gives this four game weekend series all the context we need.

With regard to the Liberty Division standings, the Ducks now trail the undefeated (8-0) Somerset Patriots by six games.  The Patriots swept Long Island in the opening series of the season at Somerset.  The migrating Flock then proceeded to drop 2 of 3 games in Connecticut against the newly minted New Britain Bees.

L.I. Ducks: Flock Poised to Clinch Ticket to Finals

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

ATLANTIC LEAGUE PLAYOFFS
*   *  LIBERTY DIVISION  *  *

SHOWDOWN

Ducks at the Gates!

Ducks lead series 2-1

I - SOM 5; LID 3

II - LID 5; SOM 4

III - LID 9; SOM 4

IV - SATURDAY

GAME FOUR

Long Island Ducks

vs.

Somerset Patriots

FROM

Some Ballpark

NEW JERSEY

LONG ISLAND DUCKS: Flock within a victory of advancing to their 5th ever Atlantic League championship series.

After a two game split at Bethpage Ballpark, the Liberty Division series shifted to Somerset Friday evening for Game Three.

Bobby Blevins climbed the hill for Long Island and was opposed by Patriots southpaw Matt Zielinski.

With Somerset clinging to a 1-run lead through 4 innings, the league's top offense finally erupted in the 5th.  With two on and 2-outs, Sean Burroughs, Dan Lyons, and Cody Puckett all hit consecutively giving the Ducks a 4-1 lead.

With Somerset's Matt Zielinski out of the game, an E-6 in the top of the 6th wound up giving the Ducks a 5-1 lead.

Then came the Patriots.

Aharon Eggleston led off the bottom of the 6th with a single.  With 1-out, right fielder Michael Burgess took Blevins deep making it a 5-3 Somerset deficit.

Long Island got a run back on Mike Blanke's 7th inning RBI double.

Bobby Blevins then opened the bottom of the 7th by surrendering a single and walk, inspiring Coach Baez to call on his bullpen.  Pinch hitter David Vidal promptly greeted reliever Patrick Crider with an RBI single up the middle.

That, however, ended Somerset's output for the evening.  The Ducks, meanwhile, struck for another 3 runs in the 8th.  Randy Ruiz' double drove in a pair, and Sean Burroughs' sac-fly gave Long Island their eventual 9-4 margin of victory.

• Bobby Blevins earned the victory.  He faced 26 batters over 6 innings pitched, and threw 88 pitches with 60 (68%) going for strikes.  He allowed 4 earned runs on 4 hits and 3 walks, and fanned 7 batters before exiting on the winning side of (then) a 5-3 game.

• Closer Ryan Kussmaul pitched 2 innings in a non-save situation, and faced the minimum with 2 strikeouts.

• Sean Burroughs remained white hot.  He went 2 for 4, with 2 more RBI in Game Three, and is now 8 for 12 with 4 RBI in the series.

• Randy Ruiz has DH'd in the clean-up slot this series.  He went 1 for 4 Friday, and is now 4 for 11 in the series.

The Ducks now have two chances to win one game.  Easier said than done...

Long Island's Bruce Kern will toe the rubber in Game Four.  Kern made 40 appearances this season, but this will only be his 14th start.  He went 9-6 during the regular season with a 3.51 ERA.  In 107.2 innings he posted a 1.21 WHiP, boasted .242 average against, and fanned 102 batters.

The Ducks will have their work cut out for them against Patriots starter Will Oliver, whom was a late season acquisition from the Frontier League.  He started 9 games for Somerset.  In 54 innings pitched, Will posted a fine 6-2 record with a 3.15 ERA, a 1.07 WHiP, and a .204 average against.

• Patriots right fielder and clean-up hitter Michael Burgess is tearing up Ducks pitching.  He is 5 for 12 (.417) with 2 home runs and 6 RBI in 3 games.

• Table setter Aharon Eggleston is 5 for 8, with 2 walks, a double, home run, and 5 runs scored.

Southern Maryland Blue Crabs 

lead series over Lancaster Barnstormers, 2-1

I - SMB 2; LAN 0

II - LAN 6; SMB 5

III - SMB 6; LAN 1

GAME FOUR

Barnstormers

vs.

Blue Crabs

FROM

Waldorf, Maryland

L.I. Ducks: Flock manage split at the Pond; Migrate onward to Somerset

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

ICYMI:

Playoff Preview: 

Ducks vs. Patriots

ATLANTIC LEAGUE PLAYOFFS

*  *  LIBERTY DIVISION  *  *

Series tied 1-1

I - SOM 5; LID 3

II - LID 5; SOM 4

III - FRIDAY

Game Three

Long Island Ducks

vs.

Somerset Patriots

FROM

Some Ballpark

NEW JERSEY

GAME TWO: Darin Downs Pitches Gem, But Costly Ducks Errors Require Late Rally For 5-4 Comeback Victory.

Ducks starter Darin Downs pitched a gem.  Long Island's southpaw maintained a no-hitter until Aharon Eggleston's single with 2-outs in the 6th.

Downs otherwise completed 7 scoreless innings, faced 25 batters, and threw 104 pitches with 66 going for strikes.  He allowed a mere 2 hits, walked 2, and fanned 7 batters before exiting on the winning side of a 3-0 game.

Cody Puckett drove in Long Island's first run with a sac-fly in the 2nd inning.  The Flock increased their lead to three in the 4th with an RBI from Dan Lyons, followed by Cody Puckett's second of the game.

Patriots starter Mickey Storey yielded all three runs.  He likewise lasted 7 innings, allowed 6 hits, walked 2, and fanned 5 batters before his removal on the losing side.

Both starting pitchers' efforts, however, would shortly be reduced to no-decision status.

With relievers Ricardo Gomez and J.C. Romero pitching the 8th, Long Island's defense went awry. Errors by catcher Mike Blanke (interference), and a back-breaker by first baseman Sean Burroughs helped pave the way for 2 unearned runs and 4 runs in all giving Somerset a sudden, and astonishing 4-3 lead.

Somerset then took their turn at coughing up Game Two.

Fehlandt Lentini drew a walk leading off the bottom of the 8th.  Two wild pitches by two different pitchers later, Lentini scored the tying run.  With 2-outs, Sean Burroughs enjoyed the ultimate redemption by connecting on the game winning RBI.

J.C. Romero secured Long Island's 5-4 victory with a 1-2-3 9th inning.

The Ducks only managed 7 hits, and Sean Burroughs accounted for 3 of them.  He is now 6 for 8 in the series with 2 RBI.

NEXT STOP

New Jersey for Game Three 

(..through Five, if necessary).

• The Patriots went 3-3 during the regular season against the Ducks at Bethpage Park.  A split seemed natural then.  The Ducks, however, posted a 7-4 record at Somerset this season.  We'll see how that translates in the post-season.

GAME ONE RECAP: They Say It's Not A Series 

Until The Home Team Loses. 

Somerset Patriots Go Yard En Route to 5-3 Opening Victory 
Over John Brownell, Ducks.

The Ducks and Somerset Patriots opened their much anticipated Liberty Division playoff series Wednesday evening at Long Island's Bethpage Ballpark.

Staff ace John Brownell climbed the hill in Game One, and was opposed by Somerset's Ray Merritt.

The Patriots wasted no time getting on the board.  Left fielder Aharon Eggleston singled and scored on right fielder Michael Burgess' 2-out triple in the opening frame.

The Ducks quickly tied the game in the 2nd inning.  Dan Lyons led-off with a double to right, then scored on second baseman Greg Hopkins' error.  An inning later, Sean Burroughs singled home Lew Ford putting the Ducks ahead.

That, however, marked Long Island's high point of the night.

Patriots first baseman Matt Fields knotted the game at two when he took John Brownell deep in the 4th.  Somerset then pulled away in the 5th.  After Thomas Neal's RBI single put Somerset ahead, Michael Burgess struck again, this time for a 2-run home run giving the visitors all the insurance they'd need.

The Patriots totaled 5 earned runs on 7 hits off loser John Brownell, whom issued 2 walks and fanned a pair.  John faced 26 batters and labored through 102 pitches with 66 (64%) going for strikes.

Ray Merritt likewise tossed 6 innings for the victory.  He limited Long Island to a pair of runs (one earned) on 6 hits and 3 walks.  He faced 27 batters and struck out three.  Closer Jon Hunton pitched a scoreless 9th inning for the save.

The Ducks scored on a wild pitch in the 7th giving Game One its 5-3 final score.