Trio of homers drop Ducks
(Central Islip, N.Y., July 31, 2015) – The Long Island Ducks were defeated by the Bridgeport Bluefish 6-4 on Friday night in the opener of a four-game series at Bethpage Ballpark.
GAME AUDIO: Highlights from the series opener
POSTGAME VIDEO: Kevin Baez and John Brownell talk about the game
The Ducks went ahead with two runs in the third inning on RBI singles from Dan Lyons and Delta Cleary Jr. off of Bluefish starter Kameron Loe. Sean Burroughs tied the game with a two-run shot for Bridgeport in the fourth off of Ducks starter John Brownell.
Long Island went back on top 4-2 in the fifth. A sacrifice fly from Lyons and a run-scoring throwing error from Bridgeport right fielder Welington Dotel did the damage. One inning later, Burroughs hit his second two-run homer to tie the game at four. The ‘Fish went ahead for the first time in the eighth inning. A RBI single to right from Wilson Batista off of Ducks reliever Amalio Diaz was the go-ahead hit. Bryant Nelson added an insurance run in the ninth with a solo homer to right off of Nick Struck, making it a 6-4 ballgame. Patrick Mincey completed the win in the ninth for Bridgeport.
Brownell took a no decision for the Ducks. He allowed four runs on eight hits while walking two and striking out six in seven innings. Loe (4-2) earned the win, giving up four runs (three earned) on seven hits in seven frames. He walked two and struck out two. Mincey earned his 19th save of the season in the ninth. Diaz (1-2) suffered the loss for Long Island, allowing one run on three hits with one walk and one strikeout in one inning.
Mike Blanke paced the Ducks with a pair of hits and a pair of runs scored.
The Ducks continue their four-game series with the cross-sound rival Bridgeport Bluefish on Saturday night. Game time is slated for 6:35 p.m., with the Bethpage Ballpark gates opening at 5:35 (5:20 for full season ticket holders). It is Military Appreciation Night at the Ballpark! Also, following the game, all fans in attendance will be treated to a Pyrotecnico Fireworks Extravaganza, presented by Northrop Grumman. In addition, Ducks staff members will be handing out coupons for discounts at Dick’s Sporting Goods to fans following the game. Right-hander Bobby Blevins takes the mound for the Ducks against Bluefish southpaw Robert Carson.
Tickets to the game and all Ducks home games are available by visiting the Bethpage Ballpark box office, calling (631) 940-TIXX or CLICKING HERE. Those unable to make the game can follow all of the action live on the Ducks’ flagship radio station, 103.9-FM LI News Radio. Streaming video and audio will also be available online via the Ducks’ official YouTube channel by CLICKING HERE.
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Duck Tales: Bryan Sabatella has earned at least one hit in 11 of his last 12 games. During the 12-game stretch, the Long island native has a .292 batting average (14-for-48) with three runs scored…Mike Blanke collected two hits to lead the Flock. He has now totaled 14 two-hit games and 15 multi-hit contests this season. Dan Lyons drove in two runs for Long Island. The fifth-year Duck has now earned six two-RBI games and 11 multi-RBI contests in 2015…Ducks pitchers combined to strike out nine Bluefish batters in the game. John Brownell struck out six, while Amalio Diaz added one and Nick Struck collected two. As a pitching staff, the Ducks have struck out a league-high 729 batters in 2015. That’s 71 more than any other team in the Atlantic League (Lancaster, 658).
Game Date: 07/31/2015 Bridgeport Bluefish 6 AT Long Island Ducks 4 YTD YTD Bridgeport AB R H BI AVG L Island AB R H BI AVG J.Prince SS 5 0 1 0 .289 F.Lentini RF 3 0 0 0 .412 B.Nelson 2B 4 1 2 1 .346 D.Lyons SS 3 0 1 2 .295 W.Dotel RF 5 0 2 0 .322 D.Cleary Jr. CF 4 0 1 1 .284 J.Alonso DH 5 2 2 0 .270 R.Ruiz DH 2 0 0 0 .329 J.Morales C 3 1 2 0 .249 S.McQuail DH 2 0 0 0 .188 S.Burroughs 1B 3 2 2 4 .329 C.Puckett 3B 4 0 0 0 .269 W.Batista 3B 4 0 1 1 .221 B.Sabatella LF 3 0 1 0 .291 B.Jones LF 4 0 0 0 .239 J.Griffin 1B 4 1 1 0 .235 E.Chapman CF 4 0 0 0 .240 M.Blanke C 4 2 2 0 .302 B.Davis 2B 1 1 1 0 .230 37 6 12 6 30 4 7 3 Bridgeport 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 1 1 - 6 12 2 L Island 0 0 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 - 4 7 1 HR--B.Nelson (2), S.Burroughs 2 (3). RBI--B.Nelson (9), S.Burroughs 4 (25), W.Batista (9), D.Lyons 2 (44), D.Cleary Jr. (24). SF--D.Lyons (7). SH--F.Lentini (0), B.Davis (0). SB--D.Cleary Jr. (20). E--B.Nelson (4), W.Dotel (4), C.Puckett (12). LOB--Bridgeport 7, L Island 6. DP--B. Davis(2B) - D. Lyons(SS) - J. Griffin(1B), B. Davis(2B) - D. Lyons(SS) - J. Griffin(1B), B. Nelson(2B) - J. Prince(SS) - S. Burroughs(1B). YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA Bridgeport K.Loe (W,4-2) 7.0 7 4 3 2 2 0 3.91 S.Ames 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3.00 P.Mincey (S,19) 1.0 0 0 0 2 1 0 1.84 9 7 4 3 4 3 0 L Island J.Brownell 7.0 8 4 4 2 6 2 3.19 A.Diaz (L,1-2) 1.0 3 1 1 1 1 0 1.47 N.Struck 1.0 1 1 1 0 2 1 2.89 9 12 6 6 3 9 3 WP--J.Brownell (6). SO--J.Prince 3, W.Dotel 2, W.Batista 2, E.Chapman 2, J.Griffin 2, M.Blanke. BB--B.Nelson, J.Morales, S.Burroughs, F.Lentini, B.Sabatella, B.Davis 2. BF--K.Loe 28 (205), S.Ames 4 (52), P.Mincey 5 (139), J.Brownell 30 (469), A.Diaz 6 (161), N.Struck 4 (121). P-S--K.Loe 103-63, S.Ames 20-13, P.Mincey 28-17, J.Brownell 104-65, A.Diaz 20-13, N.Struck 15-11. T--2:47. A--5018 Plate Umpire - James Grillo, Field Umpire #1 - Frank Iurilli, Field Umpire #2 - John Grasso