Howard Kellman, Broadcaster of the (AAA) Indianapolis Indians Joins A Metsian Podcast

From the desk: HEAD-BUTTING, MR. MET

With SAM, RICH & MIKE

GUEST

Play by Play Broadcaster 

(AAA) INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS

est. 1902

HOWARD KELLMAN

seventy-six minutes

Howard Kellman was born and raised in Brooklyn.  He helped pioneer radio broadcasting of St. John's University basketball games and for the last forty-six years has been the play-by-play broadcaster of the famous (AAA)-Indianapolis Indians.  Established in 1902, the Indianapolis club is the second oldest minor league baseball team in America after the Rochester Red Wings.  Howard is friends with Brooklyn Dodgers great Carl Erskine with whom he worked alongside in the booth, and with Howie Rose, for whom he filled in many times as recently as 2014 on Mets broadcasts.  He takes us through his own near fifty-year experience in the game.  The Indians have variously served as an affiliate of the Reds, Expos, Brewers, and Pirates, thus Mr. Kellman has witnessed the rise of many burgeoning stars.  He recalls the wildly successful Montreal Expos affiliation with particular fondness.  A clear baseball insider, he adds clarity to the ongoing reorganization of minor and independent league baseball.  After which, Mr. Kellman transports us back to 1968 and his recollections of the New York Mets.  To hear more about Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, Gil Hodges, Hank Aaron, Larry Walker, Jeff McNeil, Pee Wee Reese, the Indianapolis Clowns and the ABC's, the Brooklyn Dodgers, and the city of Indianapolis itself as told to by a native Brooklynite, then please give a listen.  Great conversation with Howard and partners Sam and Rich; you won't be sorry.

#LGM 

N.Y. Yankees Throw Affiliates a Screwball

From the desk of: EVIL EMPIRE STRIKES AGAIN

BRONX BOMBERS ABANDON BABY BOMBERS

Over the last year, we've watched Rob "Simon Bar Sinister" Manfred and MLB owners radically alter the landscape of minor and independent league baseball.  Major League clubs are pairing down their farm operations to four affiliates each.  Over forty teams are presently either ostracised or face elimination, with even more teams and leagues slated for reclassification.  The (rookie) Appalachian League has already been reorganized into a wood-bat summer league for college freshman and sophomore players while the New York-Penn League and other short-A season leagues face a similar fate.  Major League Baseball also has struck partnerships with the formerly independent Atlantic League, Frontier League, and American Association.

MiLB said in a statement that MLB owners are solely interested in protecting their own profitability.  I must agree.  If I were an MLB owner - I get it - there's a clear advantage to maintaining all your affiliates within close proximity of the parent club.  However, the owners intentionally made no effort to renegotiate in good faith a new bargaining agreement with minor league baseball and have since steamrolled their agenda regardless of the impact on individual proprietors, local communities and economies, and above all, players.  

The New York Yankees are perceived to have employed a rather cold and distant tact in severing ties with Trenton, (Charleston), and a local affiliate here in Staten Island.  Trenton and Staten Island claim they first learned of the news through (social) media and not until after the New York Yankees official announcement.  In separate statements, the Trenton Thunder owner calls the Yankees action a "betrayal" while the Staten Island Yankees owner deems the decision to be "unacceptable."

So incensed is the Trenton Thunder owner he calls the New York Yankees despicable for leaving culturally diverse Trenton for a wealthier, higher socioeconomic area in Somerset.

Trenton is supplanted by the formerly independent Somerset Patriots as the Yankees' new double-A affiliate.  The Yankees also bid adieu to Charleston who will be replaced by the Hudson Valley Renegades.  

For now, Staten Island is without a team.

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: Flock Yields First Place to Somerset Patriots

From the desk of: THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

LIBERTY DIVISION SHOWDOWN

Patriots lead Ducks 2-0

I - SOM 5; LID 2

II - SOM 4; LID 1

The Somerset Patriots win their fifth in a row while Long Island loses their fourth in a row.  After leading a tightly packed division for a great majority of this first half the Ducks now trail the Patriots in the Liberty Division standings by one full game.  They relinquish their lead via a second straight loss at Somerset on Wednesday.

The Patriots did what they do best: pitch.  Through two games Somerset has now limited Long Island to three total runs and rationed them to five hits in each game.

Starter Thomas Dorminy blanked the Flock through five innings, allowing just three hits and three walks with three strikeouts.  A trio of Patriots relievers would then join in limiting Long Island to one run on just two hits and no walks with two strikeouts.  Somerset closer Mike Antonini pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his league leading 21st save of the season.

With Somerset leading 3-0 after seven, Long Island scored their lone run of the game in the eighth on consecutive doubles from Steve Lombardozzi and L.J. Mazzilli.  

Ducks starter Darin Downs seventh start of the season is brief after allowing two runs on six hits and one walk with four strikeouts trough three innings of work.  He falls to 0-2 on the season while his ERA jumps from 3.09 to a 3.34 mark.  The Ducks relievers joined on five innings allowing two runs on four hits and two walks with five strikeouts.

L.I. Ducks: Somerset Patriots Tie Flock For First Place

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

LIBERTY DIVISION SHOWDOWN

Patriots lead series 1-0

I - SOM 5; LID 2

II - WED @ SOM

III - THU @ SOM

With Game One Victory Somerset Forges Tie With Ducks Atop Liberty Division Standings.

Somerset roughs up Long Island starter Jake Fisher for five runs (four earned) on six hits and one walk through five innings, handing him his sixth loss of the season against three wins.  After ten starts his record falls to 3-6 while his ERA is up to 5.24 and climbing.

Patriots starter Brett Oberholtzer limited the Ducks to a pair of runs courtesy of Ramon Cabrera's two run double in the eighth.  Otherwise Oberholtzer yields four total hits and one walk with five strikeouts for his fourth victory of the season against just one loss.  The Ducks were limited to five hits all game.

With Somerset's victory on Tuesday, the Long Island Ducks and Patriots are now tied for first place of the Liberty Division.  The Patriots have now won four in a row, while the Ducks drop their third straight.

L.I. Ducks: Monday Swim 6/17/2019

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

LIBERTY DIVISION SHOWDOWN

TUESDAY

Long Island Ducks

vs.

Somerset Patriots

FROM

New Jersey

Despite two straight loses the Ducks have done well fending of their Liberty Division competitors.  Last week they took two of three from the Somerset Patriots at Bethpage Park, then split four games against the High Point Rockers at North Carolina.  But they're not out of the woods yet.  On Tuesday, Long Island opens another three game series against the second place Patriots at Somerset.

Trailing the Ducks by just one game in the standings, the Patriots enter the series winners of three in a row.  On Sunday they joined the Ducks as the second Atlantic League team to achieve thirty victories.  Long Island enters Tuesday's action with a league best 31-18 record.

Oddly, the Ducks and Patriots rank sixth and seventh respectively in runs scored.  But where as the Ducks are tied for second with 50 home runs, the Patriots rank last with 21 home runs through 49 games.  As a team the Patriots are slashing .270/.343/.368/.711, while the Ducks own a .255/.325/.411/.736 team slash.  Both teams are tied for second with 43 stolen bases each.

Somerset's 3.32 ERA tops the league, while Long Island's 3.78 rates a respectable third.  The Patriots also lead the league with 22 saves.  Long Island however leads the league with a 1.26 WHiP, but only barely as the Patriots boast a 1.27 WHiP.  Long Island pitchers also lead the league with 404 strikeouts.

Somerset first baseman Will Kengor leads the league with a .337 batting average.  David Washington of the Ducks still leads with 16 home runs and is second with 38 runs batted in.

Patriots starter David Kubiak is presently pitching at triple crown levels, leading the league with six victories, a 1.33 ERA, with 58 strikeouts.

• Atlantic 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: Rival Somerset Patriots Invade The Pond

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

LIBERTY DIVISION

SHOWDOWN

SOMERSET PATRIOTS

vs.

LONG ISLAND DUCKS

FROM

THE POND

The Long Island Ducks enter Tuesday's action with an Atlantic League best 27-15 (.643) record.

They presently hold a precarious 1.5 game lead over the Somerset Patriots, who on Sunday won their sixth straight.  The two rivals will be facing each other nine times over the next twenty days beginning with Tuesday's series opener at Bethpage Ballpark.  After taking two of three this past weekend from the Ducks, the High Point Rockers enter Tuesday's action just 2.5 behind the leaders.  After Long Island wraps up this coming series with Somerset, they'll be heading down to High Point for another four game weekend series against the Rockers.  With 27 games left before the break, it appears to me the first-half winner of the Liberty Division flag will very likely distinguish itself over the remaining weeks of June.


PITCHING PLUNDER CONTINUES:

As expected, starting pitcher Sean Nolin last week had his contract purchased by the Seattle Mariners organization.  At the time he was leading the circuit with six victories and ranked fifth with 45 strikeouts.  He made eight appearances this season for the Ducks posting a perfect 6-0 record with a stellar 1.10 ERA and 0.927 WHiP through 41 innings pitched.

• The departure of Sean Nolin makes him the eighth starting pitcher this season plucked from the Flock's fold.  Congratulations to Jon Niese; Tim Melville; Darin Downs; George Kontos; Bennett Parry; Tim Adleman; Jose Cuas.

Thus Alec Asher was pressed into making his sixth start of the season against the Rockers on Saturday.  He allowed three earned runs through five innings on six hits and four walks with five strikeouts in a losing effort.

Despite Sunday's 5-3 loss against the Rockers, Long Island's newly acquired right-hander Travis Banwart (signed as a free agent via the Mexican league) pitched seven strong innings allowing just one run on four hits and one walk with eleven strikeouts.  He threw 118 pitches to 27 batters with 73 (65%) going for strikes.  The now 33-year old is largely a product of the Oakland A's system, with time spent in the Cleveland Indians organization.  He's otherwise a 13 year professional of affiliated minor league, international, and independent baseball with a career 4.18 ERA over 996.2 innings pitched.

The Ducks also signed St. Louis Cardinals product, 24-year old free agent right-hander Mike O'Reilly.  He started the season making five relief appearances for the Cardinals AA affiliate where he posted a 7.94 ERA over just 11.1 innings pitched.  Otherwise he owns a 20-13 record and 3.44 ERA and 1.106 WHiP in 305.2 innings pitched over four full minor league seasons.  He appears to keep walks at a minimum and owns a 7.7 K/9 average.


Former Met Hangs Em Up:

Off-season acquisition Matt den Dekker decided to hang up his spikes and retire from the game.  In 29 games for the Ducks the 31-year old outfielder slashed .268/.336/.446, with 12 doubles, two home runs and 12 RBI, and four stolen bases.

• BaseballReference
• LIDucks

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: 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.

L.I. Ducks: With Liberty and Playoffs For All

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

LIBERTY DIVISION

CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Somerset Patriots

vs

Long Island Ducks

Here we go again.

As if there were any doubt ...

For a fourth consecutive post-season, the Long Island Ducks and Somerset Patriots will battle for the Liberty Division championship.  It's been this way pretty much ever since the league realigned and placed Somerset alongside the Ducks.

The Flock cut it close this season, narrowly capturing the second-half division flag over rival Somerset, and thereby averting a Wild Card scenario.  After a troublesome first-half, in which they finish five games back of the first place Patriots, Long Island finishes strong with a 39-24 mark, two games better than the Patriots, and a 69-57 record overall.  Somerset secures their post-season berth with a 35-28 first-half record and finish the regular season with a 72-54 record overall, three games better than the Ducks. 

Not coincidentally, the Patriots take the first-half head-to-head series six games to three.  The Ducks turn the tables in the second-half head-to-head series, likewise winning six and losing three.  Said another way, these rivals split their regular season series down the middle, posting nine victories apiece.

It goes to show how through the seasons little has changed with regard to this recurring match-up.  The Liberty Division championship series once again features an age old dynamic in which one of the league's strongest offensive teams opposes one of the league's top pitching teams.

Of the two clubs, Long Island is the offensive juggernaut.  The Ducks rank first in home runs and total bases, second in slugging, and third in runs scored and OPS.  Somerset ranks last in home runs, seventh in both total bases and slugging, and fifth in both runs and OPS.  However, the Patriots are second in walks and stolen bases, third in OBP, and fourth in team average.  Whereas the Ducks are fifth in both walks and stolen bases, and sixth in both OBP and team average.

Infielder Justin Trapp leads Somerset with eight home runs, while the Ducks feature three players in double-digits.  David Washington leads Long Island with 24 round-trippers (second in the league), and Taylor Ard is second with sixteen.  The ageless one, Lew Ford leads the team with 73 RBI.  Washington and Travis Snider are tied with 71 RBI.  Second baseman Jordany Valdespin spearheads the offense with a team leading .338/.400/.487 triple slash.  He wins the league batting title by fractions over Somerset's Craig Massey, whom also finishes with a .338 mark.  In addition to leading the Patriots in batting, Massey also leads Somerset with a .418 OBP.  Alfredo Rodriguez leads with 55 RBI, while Jayce Boyd tops the club with a .481 slugging average.

Unfortunately, the Ducks lost the services of Emilio Bonifacio.  At the time his contract is purchased by the Milwaukee Brewers, he was leading the Atlantic League with a .348 average through 70 games.

On the mound, Somerset features one of the top two pitching staffs in the league.  They're first in strikeouts, H/9, K/W, own the league's second best ERA and WHiP, and have issued the second least walks.  Meanwhile, the Ducks rank fifth or sixth in most pitching categories.

This is precisely why Long Island's best hopes for advancing into the Atlantic League championship series rests on the arms and shoulders of their starting rotation.  As John Brownell, Matt Larkins, and Jake Fisher go, so will go the Ducks.  They'll also need effective contributions from Hector Silvestre, Dennis O'Grady, and recently acquired Brett Marshall.

And should the Ducks take a lead late into the game, the old pro Francisco Rodriguez must slam the door closed.  He posts 27 regular season saves and 2.76 ERA, with 42 strikeouts through 42.1 innings pitched.

THE RIVALRY: DUCKS vs. PATRIOTS

Prior to league realignment, the Ducks and Patriots face off in the 2013 league championship series, with Long Island emerging victoriously, three games against two.  The following season, Somerset gets shifted out of the Freedom Division and proceed to win their first Liberty Division title.  In 2015, Long Island flips the script in defeating Somerset two games against one.  If you're a Ducks fan the 2016 series proves epic; for Patriots fans not so much.  Somerset jumps out to a 2-0 series lead, but Long Island storms back winning three straight to capture the Liberty Division flag.  Last season, the Ducks again sweep Somerset, but for a second straight season fall short in the Atlantic League championship series.

L.I. Ducks: Liberty Division Race Tightening Like a Tourniquet

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Long Island Ducks: New, Veteran, and Spot Starters Keeping Flock a Step Ahead of Patriots.

Behind the recent performances of pitchers Brett Marshall, Jake Fisher, and a spot start by reliever Dennis O'Grady, the Ducks enter Sunday's action 2.5 games ahead of the Somerset Patriots in the Liberty Division standings with just seven games left to play.

Newly acquired Brett Marshall provided the Ducks with a sorely needed assist on Sept. 4, allowing just one run on four hits and three walks, with seven strikeouts during a six inning winning stint against New Britain.  Jake Fisher then tosses a complete game victory over the Road Warriors in Friday's series opener at Bethpage Ballpark, allowing just one run on five hits, walking none and fanning three.  On Saturday, making only his third start of the season, Dennis O'Grady allowed the Road Warriors two earned runs on seven hits, with no walks and a pair of strikeouts.

On Sunday the Ducks play their last home game of the regular season.  After Monday's day-off, the Ducks will be in Texas, where they'll wrap up their schedule with a huge, if not decisive six game series against the Freedom Division leading Sugar Land Skeeters.

Once the Patriots conclude their series against York on Sunday, they'll only have five more games left on their docket - one less than Long Island.  On Tuesday, Somerset opens a two game set against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, then get another day off on Thursday.  After which the Patriots travel to York where they'll close out the regular season against the suddenly surging and defending Atlantic League champion Revolution.

With the race for a second half pennant tightening like a tourniquet, the Ducks are 5-2 thus far in September, with the Patriots hot on their trail with a 4-3 September record.

L.I. Ducks: Look Who's Number One

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Free Baseball + Long Ball = First Place

Long Island Ducks: Complete Second Straight Sweep of Rival Somerset Patriots; Take Over Liberty Division Lead.

Make that six straight wins for the Long Island Ducks, and a three game sweep over the Somerset Patriots.  In fact, the Flock complete their second straight sweep of the Patriots within the last ten days.  Even better, Long Island moves into sole possession of first place, one game ahead of always problematic Somerset.

The Ducks take a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the ninth of Wednesday's series finale at Somerset, but a passed ball charged to catcher Dioner Navarro allows the tying run to score.  And into extra innings they go.

As they've done all series, the Flock propel themselves to another victory via the long ball.  With two outs in the top of the eleventh, right fielder Anthony Vega hits only his second home run of the season off Somerset's Dustin Antolin to put Long Island ahead.  Ducks reliever Ashur Tolliver pitches himself into a jam in the bottom of the frame, but fans the final two batters of the game to secure Long Island's 4-3 victory. 

Tolliver is credited with his very first save of the season.  Dennis O'Grady gets credit for his fifth victory in relief this season for pitching a scoreless tenth inning.  In a no-decision effort, starter Matt Larkins surrenders just one earned run on five hits and two walks through five innings pitched.

Taylor Ard raises his average to .308 with a 4 for 5 day the plate with an RBI.  Despite going just 1 for 5 this day, Jordany Valdespin is second in the circuit and leads the Ducks with a .350 average.  With two more RBI, Lew Ford ranks fourth in the league with 66 RBI.

Long Island is second in the league behind Sugar Land with 83 home runs, while Somerset ranks last with just 44 home runs.  Otherwise the Ducks are number one in hits, and total bases, and rank second behind Sugar Land in runs, team batting, slugging, and OPS.

What rival Somerset lacks in hitting, they make up for on the mound.  They allow less earned runs and less hits than Long Island.  They lead the league in WHiP, strikeouts, and fewest walks allowed, and rank second in ERA and average against.

The Long Island Ducks and Somerset Patriots do not face each other for the rest of the regular season.  They both will make their own way towards capturing the division crown from here on out.
If they are to meet again for a fourth straight Liberty Division playoff, the Ducks have no choice but to win the second half division title.  The Patriots already did their part by winning the first half title. 

These teams faced off nine times in May with the Patriots winning six.  Mid July brings more of the same with Somerset sweeping a three game set for a 9-3 season series advantage.  But as July turns to August, Long Island reciprocates with a three game sweep of their own, then follow up with this latest conquest over the Patriots.  The regular season series ends locked at nine games apiece.

Did you expect anything less?

L.I. Ducks: Flock Forge First Place Tie With Somerset

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Flock At The Gates!

Ducks Lead Series 2-0

I - LID 7; SOM 2

II - LID 10; SOM 7

WEDNESDAY

Long Island Ducks

vs.

Somerset Patriots

FROM
New Jersey

Long Island Ducks: Surging Flock Now Tied With Somerset Patriots for Liberty Division Lead.

With Monday's 7-2 victory over the Patriots, the Long Island Ducks closed within one game of first place Somerset.  Right-hander Chris Pike - a new addition out of the Tampa Bay Rays system - starts for Long Island, allowing two earned runs on two hits and two walks before being relieved with one out in the fourth.  Coach Baez then treats Somerset to a Long Island bullpen bonanza, doling out an inning apiece to six different pitchers.  It worked, as the sextet joined in limiting the Patriots scoreless on seven hits and just one walk, with seven strikeouts.  Lorenzo Barcelo earned the victory for his scoreless work in the fifth.

Long Island powered up with another three home runs against Somerset.  Taylor Ard strikes early with a two run shot in the first.  Cody Puckett connects on a solo blast in the fifth, and David Washington caps off the night with his team leading 16th home run in the eighth.

With a follow-up victory over the Patriots in Game Two, the Ducks could finally achieve a tie for the  Liberty Division lead with Somerset.

... and they did just that.

The Ducks hit Patriots starter Kyle Davies hard and often.  Both Daniel Fields and David Washington greet him with home run blasts in the first inning; Fields' a solo shot, and Washington's a three-run strike.

In the top of the second, Patriots' Kyle Davies walks the first four batters faced.  A base hit from Travis Snider plates two Long Island runs for a commanding 7-0 Ducks lead.

Rest assure, Somerset does not go down quietly, posting two runs in the third, one in the fourth, and another pair in the fifth.  However, Daniel Fields provides the Ducks with an important insurance run in the sixth when he triples home Dan Lyons.  Ramon Cabrera later gives the Ducks a 9-5 lead with a home run leading-off the eighth.  Resilient Somerset claws back with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame off Ducks reliever Colton Murray, but no more.  The Flock score yet another insurance run in the top of the ninth helped by a throwing error by Chase Hutchingson, allowing Dan Lyons to score, and give Long Island a 10-7 lead, and final margin of victory.

Francisco Rodriguez closes out the game for Long Island, pitching a scoreless ninth inning with two strikeouts for his 20th save of the season.

The Ducks are winners of five straight, and have now defeated Somerset in five straight as well.  Earlier this season, they were down 3-9 in head-to-head gams.  But with one more victory on Wednesday, Long Island will achieve a second straight sweep over Somerset and ensure a split of the season series.

L.I. Ducks: Home Sweep Home

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Ducks sweep series 3-0

I - LID 11; SOM 5

II - LID 2; SOM 1

III - LID 6; SOM 4

Long Island Ducks: Flock Closes Within Two Games of First Place Somerset Patriots.

Backed by home runs from David Washington, Cody Puckett, and Daniel Fields, the Long Island Ducks power past the Somerset Patriots in Wednesday's series finale at Bethpage Ballpark, thus completing a three game sweep of the Liberty Division leaders.

The Ducks inflict all their damage against Patriots starter Duane Bellow, who allows six earned runs on twelve hits, a walk, and strikes out three.

David Washington stakes starter Tyler Badamo and the Ducks to an early 1-0 lead in the second with his team leading 13th home run of the season.  After the Patriots tie the game in the top of the fifth, Cody Puckett homers with one on in the bottom of the frame for a 3-1 Ducks lead.  An inning later, Daniel Fields increases their lead to 5-2 upon hitting his fifth home run of the season (Taylor Ard scores).

After trading runs in the seventh, Somerset threatens with two runs in the top of the ninth, but would score no more.  Francisco Rodriguez is called upon to record the final out, and converts for his 19th save of the season.

Making his sixth start for Long Island, Tyler Badamo (who this season also pitched for Sugar Land and New Britain) allows just one earned run on eight hits, no walks, and strikes out three over six innings pitched en route to his third victory against two losses.

With Wednesday's 6-4 victory, the Ducks improve to 13-8 in the second half, and close within two games of the division leading Somerset Patriots.

L.I. Ducks: Flock Overpower Somerset Patriots in Series Opener

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

First Victory Over Somerset Since May

GAME ONE

Patriots   5

Ducks    11

FINAL

Long Island Ducks: John Brownell Ties Atlantic League All-Time Strikeout Record.

A first inning home run by Patriot shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez off John Brownell had many in the crowd at Bethpage Ballpark pondering the potential historic night ahead.  But Lew Ford put them at ease in the bottom half of the frame by singling with the bases loaded and driving in two.  Three batters later, Travis Snider scores from third on a wild pitch giving the Ducks an early 3-1 lead.

Not for long, though ...

Right fielder Justin Pacchioli's double in the top half of the second drives home Somerset's second run of the game.

Then Jordany Valdespin strikes back.  His two-run home run in the bottom of the frame gives John Brownell and the Ducks some much needed breathing room.  The Ducks score an important sixth run in the fifth when Patriots starter David Kubiak issues Ramon Cabrera a bases-loaded walk.

In the top of the sixth, two runs on four straight hits knock John Brownell out of the box.  Somerset again loads the bases against reliever Dennis O'Grady, and score on a 4-3 put out (charged to Brownell), bringing the Patriots within one.

A four run outburst featuring a pair of doubles from Taylor Ard and David Washington in the sixth give the Ducks a commanding 10-5 lead.  Later in the eighth, Ard hits his 12th home run of the season, tying him with David Washington for the team lead.  Ard goes 2 for 4 with three RBI, and lifts his average above the .300 mark.

The bullpen chips in with four innings in relief of starter John Brownell.  They allow no runs, just two hits, one walk, and strikeout six.

• John Brownell leaves on the winning side of a (then) 6-5 game after facing four batters in the sixth.  He improves to 7-8 on the season.  His line against Somerset reads five earned runs on eight hits and a walk, with two strikeouts in five innings pitched.  He faces 23 batters, and throws 90 pitches with 66 (61%) going for strikes.  In the top of the fourth John Brownell strikes out his second batter of the game.  It marks the 737th strikeout of his Atlantic League career, tying him for the all-time lead in Atlantic League history.  His next strikeout will set a new league record.  Brownell's victory over Somerset also marks the 63rd of his Atlantic League career ranking him third all-time.

Monday's series opening victory improves Long Island's record to just 4-9 against the Patriots this season, and brings them within four games of the Liberty Division lead.

L.I. Ducks: Second Half Pennant or Bust

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Somerset leads series 2-0

I - SOM 8; LID 3

II - SOM 6; LID 4

SUNDAY

Somerset Patriots

vs.

Long Island Ducks

FROM

Bethpage Ballbark

Long Island Ducks: Somerset Pitching Winning Out Over Flock Hitting.

Now 35-years young, starter John Brownell continues to struggle in this, his seventh season with the Long Island Ducks.

The Flock's all-time starting pitcher has never finished a full Ducks season with an ERA above four (in 2012, his first season with the Ducks, he posted a 6.61 ERA in only four appearances).  Although his rate of strikeouts is up, he presently owns a 4.25 ERA and a 1.382 WHiP, both well above his Duck career averages to date.

Coming off consecutive wins over Sugar Land and York, Brownell faced the rival Somerset Patriots on Friday at Bethpage Ballpark, allowing four earned runs on eleven hits, no walks, and striking out six through six innings pitched.  Trailing by three, the Ducks closed to within 4-3 of the Patriots in the bottom of the sixth on a pair of Jordany Valdespin RBI.  However, the bullpen would not hold.  Somerset scored twice in the seventh and posted another pair in the ninth en route to an 8-3 series opening victory.

Now trailing the Somerset Patriots by two games in the Liberty Division standings, Tyler Badamo climbs the bump at Bethpage Park for game two against Somerset's Cory Riordan.  Badamo enters Saturday's game with a 2.41 ERA in 18.2 innings over three previous starts since coming over to the Ducks from the New Britain Bees in June.

After trading runs in the first, Long Island takes a 3-1 lead on RBI hits by Taylor Ard and Ramon Cabrera.  The Patriots claw back with three hits and a run in the top of the fifth.  However, Travis Snider answers right back in the bottom of the frame with his team leading eleventh home run of the season.

With one out and runners on first and second in the top of the sixth, Coach Baez pulls Tyler Badamo in favor of reliever Ashur Tolliver.  With two out and the bases loaded, an E-6 allows two base runners home.  All runs are charged to Badamo, who surrenders ten hits but just two earned runs in 5.1 innings of work, walks one and strikes out four.

Coach Baez brings in Carlos Pimentel to pitch the seventh, who promptly surrenders a lead-off home run to Patriots shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez.  Three hits and a fielder's choice later Somerset leads by two.

Long Island fails to score in the their final two at-bats, and drop their second straight to the Patriots, this time by a 6-4 final.

If the Ducks are to meet the Somerset Patriots in the Liberty Division finals for a fourth consecutive season, they must first win the second half title.  Somerset already did their part by winning the first half title, five games ahead of the Ducks whom finished below par with a 30-33 record.  With regards to the season as a whole, Long Island owns a clear offensive edge over the the Patriots.  However, Somerset owns a distinct pitching advantage over the Ducks.  So far, the results speak for themselves.  Entering Sunday's series finale, the Ducks are just 3-8 this season against the Patriots.

L.I. Ducks: Flock Suffering Through Major Limp in Their Waddle

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Swept by the Road Warriors?

Really?

Long Island Ducks: All is Not as Golden on Bethpage Pond as it Seems.

Sure, the Long Island Ducks are sending seven well deserving representatives to this season's Atlantic League All-Star Game, to be played on July 11, right here at Bethpage Park.  Such stellar individual play, however, is not necessarily helping Long Island much in the standings.

The Somerset Patriots are sending five players.  Yet, the first place Somerset Patriots lead the Liberty Division by two games over the New Britain Bees and four games over the Long Island Ducks.  But with just ten games remaining in the season's first half, the Ducks are faced with somehow overcoming the aforementioned four game deficit if they are to capture an unlikely first-half title.

They can certainly start Tuesday night by taking the first of three straight from the Bees at New Britain, then return to the Pond where they can hope to swat the Freedom Division leading Sugar Land Skeeters for three straight.  That's a tall order, but the Ducks have surprised before.  Unfortunately, the schedule makers seemed to have conspired against them.  The Somerset Patriots start a series against last place (Freedom) Southern Maryland, them take on the perpetual Road Warriors.

I suspect this is not where the Long Island Ducks expected to be - not with the number of major league experienced players on the roster; no slight intended towards Travis Snider whom is posting solid numbers ... just not necessary numbers.  Nevertheless, the offensive mediocrity, to date, speaks for itself:


ATLANTIC LEAGUE: Ducks Offense
Team Avg. - #7
Home Runs - #6
OPS - #5
Runs Scored - #3
Total Bases - #2

ATLANTIC LEAGUE: Ducks Pitching
ERA - #5
WHiP - #5
Earned Runs - #5
Avg. Against - #4
Base on Balls - 4th most
Strikeouts: #1


The Ducks were most recently and ponderously swept by the Road Warriors.  They actually started the month of June strongly.  Several times throughout the first half they won at least three straight games, and posted five straight wins in June.  But by the time the summer heat set in, they found themselves one game under .500 with a 14-15 record for the month.

Long Island opens Tuesday's action with a 29-31 record, with much to accomplish in a short time to get it done.


EXTRA INNINGS:

• The Sugar Land Skeeters have already clinched the Freedom Division first half title.
• Former Mets catcher Josh Thole signed with the New Britain Bees, managed by former Met Wally Backman.

L.I. Ducks: Monday Swim 5/21/2018

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Long Island Ducks: Somerset Patriots Continue Getting Better of the Flock.

Make that four losses in six tries at TD Bank Ballpark this season.

On Saturday, John Brownell outlasted mound opponent Cory Riordan en route to his second victory of the season.  After enduring consecutive losses Brownell evened his record, allowing two runs on just four hits and two walks and a pair of strikeouts through six innings pitched.  The bullpen provided three innings of scoreless, one-hit relief.  At the plate, the Ducks struck for 14 hits including a home run by Travis Snider, and doubles by Lew Ford and catcher Wilkin Castillo.

On Sunday, Long Island's ninth inning rally fell just short as they lose the rubber game by a 5-4 final.  Starter Jake Dunning would perhaps admit he's seen better days.  Yanked after just three innings, Jake allowed four earned runs on five hits and four walks, while fanning just one.  Runs driven in by Cody Puckett and Ramon Cabrera got the Ducks to within a run in the top of the ninth, but with only one out and the tying run on third Dan Lyons bounced back to the pitcher and Daniel Fields fanned to end the game.

The Ducks and Patriots will get a short break from each other, as the Flock host the Road Warriors this week.  Then the Patriots make their first visit of the season to Bethpage Ballpark where the Patriots and Ducks will resume hostilities over the Memorial Day weekend.

With Sunday's loss, the Ducks fall two games behind the Liberty Division leading Patriots.

Don't look now, but the Lancaster Barnstormers have won ten in a row.  Yet, they only lead the Freedom Division by 1.5 games over the Sugar Land Skeeters.

At the other end of the spectrum, the Road Warriors have lost ten straight.  Poor guys ... they just finished up a series in Lancaster.  They'll be on Long Island tomorrow.  After which they travel back to York, then head the opposite direction again for a series at New Britain.  That's just one small sample of what they endure throughout their season-long road trip.

Ducks Notes:

• Bennett Parry presently leads the Atlantic League with 23 strikeouts.
• David Washington is among the top five in home runs and RBI.

L.I. Ducks: Late Misplay Proves Costly Against Somerset Patriots

From the desk of:  THE WEBBED SPIKES NINE

Stopped at the Gates

Liberty Division Showdown

Long Island Ducks: Patriots Outlast Jake Fisher Gem; Take Series Opener.

In the spirit of baseball, fans attending TD Bank Ballpark's feature between the visiting Flock and host Patriots were treated to an old fashioned pitching duel. 

Under such circumstances tradition suggests the first mistake - no matter how slight - usually proves most costly.  If nothing else, Friday's series opener against rival Somerset adds credence to this school of thought.

Patriots starter Kyle Davies was removed from the game after just three innings of work, but not before retiring all nine batters faced.  Assuming pitching duties in the fourth, Vince Molesky allowed just two hits and a walk through 2.1 innings of work.  He was relieved by Mike Antonini who continued whitewashing Long Island through the seventh.  Logan Kensing then took over for Antonini in the top of the eighth.  And despite hitting Ducks shortstop Dan Lyons with a pitch, he still managed to face the minimum.  For the ninth inning, the Patriots summoned their fifth pitcher of the evening, Ryan Kelly, whom followed suit by retiring Long Island in order.

Jake Fisher: Second straight gem ends with second straight no-decision.

Seeking his third victory of the season, Jake Fisher climbed the bump for Long Island.  And for a second consecutive start, Fisher held the opposition scoreless through eight full innings pitched.  On this night he faced 26 batters, allowed just four hits and no walks, and fanned four.  After yielding a lead-off base hit in the home third, Fisher retired his final 18 batters faced in consecutive order.

In handing the game over to the bullpen, Coach Baez called upon Ashur Tolliver to pitch the ninth inning, whom promptly walked the first two batters before recording an out.  The Ducks then elected to intentionally load the bases.  But as fate would have it, Somerset's Aaron Dudley lifted a flare to shallow left which was misplayed by Danny Fields.

Thus Somerset wins Friday's series opener by a 1-0 final on an unearned run in the bottom of the ninth ... and the home crowd goes home happy.

The Ducks, not so much ...

Long Island is now 1-3 in four games this season at TD Bank Ballpark, and with Friday's loss fall two games behind the first place Patriots.  Weather permitting, they'll get the remainder of this weekend's series in.  Otherwise, they've been outscored by the Patriots through four games by a mere 17-18 margin.  After defeating them 6-4 in their very first match of the new season, the Ducks have lost three straight at Somerset by one run margins.

The Ducks/Patriots play each other six times over these next ten days.  Somerset makes their first appearance of the season at Bethpage Ballpark next weekend.