Ducks catcher collects three hits, including game-winning double in ninth
 

(Central Islip, N.Y., May 24, 2018) – The Long Island Ducks defeated the Road Warriors 9-8 in walk-off fashion on Thursday night in the finale of a three-game series at Bethpage Ballpark.

The Road Warriors jumped out to a 3-0 lead with two runs in the second and one in the third against Ducks starter Jake Fisher. Chris Rivera’s RBI double, Alfredo Silverio’s RBI single and a solo homer to left field by Gustavo Pierre did the damage. The Ducks responded with four runs in the bottom of the third off Road Warriors starter Felix Baez-Pool to take the lead. RBI doubles by Jordany Valdespin and Emilio Bonifacio along with an RBI single by Travis Snider highlighted the inning.

Osvaldo Martinez’s solo homer in the fourth tied the game at four, but a two-run double by Bonifacio in the bottom of the frame put Long Island back ahead by two. The Road Warriors jumped in front 7-6 with three runs in the fifth, highlighted by Gerardo Valentin’s RBI single. However, David Washington’s leadoff solo homer to left in the bottom of the inning tied the game at seven.

It remained that way until the bottom of the eighth when a run-scoring fielder’s choice off the bat of Snider put the Ducks ahead 8-7. The Road Warriors answered back though in the ninth, as Melvin Rodriguez-Ortiz tied the game with a two-out RBI double. Long Island took the lead back for good in the bottom of the ninth, as Washington singled and scored the winning run on Ramon Cabrera’s RBI double to right-center.

CLICK HERE to listen to the highlight of Cabrera’s waddle-off double

Neither starter factored into the decision. Fisher pitched five innings, allowing seven runs (five earned) on 12 hits while striking out six. Baez-Pool lasted just two and one-third innings, yielding four runs on five hits and two walks with three strikeouts. Vinnie Pestano (1-0) picked up the win despite allowing a run on two hits while striking out two in the ninth. William Gabay (0-1) took the loss, surrendering the winning run on two hits in one-third of an inning.

Valdespin, Bonifacio and Cabrera each had three hits to lead the Ducks offensively. Valdespin added an RBI and two runs, while Bonifacio had three RBIs and a run.

The Ducks continue their homestand on Friday night when they open a three-game series against the Somerset Patriots. 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’s a Bowlero Friday! As fans exit the ballpark following the game, Ducks staff members will be handing out coupons for a special “buy one game of bowling, get one free” offer, courtesy of Bowlero. In addition, the Red Robin K-Man promotion will be taking place! A player on the Patriots will be designated as the K-Man for the game, and if he strikes out, all fans in a lucky section of the ballpark will win a “buy one entree, get one half off” discount, courtesy of Red Robin. Right-hander John Brownell (2-2, 5.23) gets the start for the Ducks against Patriots righty Cory Riordan (1-1, 3.97).

Tickets to the game, and all 2018 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 the action on the Long Island Ducks Broadcast Network. Live streaming HD video and audio will be available via BoxCast on the Ducks official Facebook page, YouTube channel and at LIDucks.com.

The Long Island Ducks are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at Bethpage Ballpark. For further information, call (631) 940-DUCK or visit www.liducks.com.

About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)

The Atlantic League has been a leader in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball since 1998. Over 38 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 900 players and 50 managers and coaches have joined MLB organizations directly from the ALPB. The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment.

For more information, please visit www.atlanticleague.com.
 

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 Game Date: 05/24/2018 Road Warriors 8 AT Long Island Ducks 9 YTD YTD R Warriors AB R H BI AVG L Island AB R H BI AVG Martinez, O SS 4 1 1 1 .225 Valdespin, J 2B 3 2 3 1 .392 Hibbert, M CF 5 0 1 0 .200 Bonifacio, E CF 5 1 3 3 .361 Pierre, G 3B 5 2 2 1 .302 Snider, T DH 4 0 1 2 .232 Fernandez-Diaz, RF 5 2 3 0 .236 Ford, L LF 5 0 1 0 .267 Valentin, G 1B 5 2 3 1 .242 Washington, D 1B 4 2 2 1 .267 Rivera, C C 5 1 2 1 .229 Fields, D RF 5 0 0 0 .221 Rodriguez, M 2B 5 0 1 1 .242 Cabrera, R C 5 0 3 1 .364 Silverio, A DH 3 0 1 1 .208 Sole, A 3B 4 2 1 0 .212 Wenrich, I DH 2 0 0 0 .182 Lyons, D SS 3 2 0 0 .214 Ray, A LF 4 0 1 0 .175 43 8 15 6 38 9 14 8 R Warriors 0 2 1 1 3 0 0 0 1 - 8 15 3 L Island 0 0 4 2 1 0 0 1 1 - 9 14 3 2B--Fernandez-Diaz, RF (1), Rivera, C C (3), Rodriguez, M 2B (3), Valdespin, J 2B (9), Bonifacio, E CF 2 (7), Cabrera, R C (1). HR--Martinez, O SS (3), Pierre, G 3B (4), Washington, D 1B (6). RBI--Martinez, O SS (8), Pierre, G 3B (9), Valentin, G 1B (5), Rivera, C C (3), Rodriguez, M 2B (4), Silverio, A DH (10), TOTALS 6 (0), Valdespin, J 2B (17), Bonifacio, E CF 3 (8), Snider, T DH 2 (16), Washington, D 1B (20), Cabrera, R C (2), TOTALS 8 (0). SB--Valdespin, J 2B (5), Sole, A 3B 2 (2). CS--Valdespin, J 2B (2), Washington, D 1B (2). E--Martinez, O SS (9), Rivera, C C (3), Peguero, J P (1), Ford, L LF (2), Lyons, D SS 2 (5). LOB--R Warriors 9, L Island 9. DP--M. Rodriguez(2B) - G. Pierre(3B) - G. Valentin(1B), D. Washington(1B) - D. Lyons(SS) - R. Cabrera(C). YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA R Warriors Baez, F 2.1 5 4 4 2 3 0 7.06 Smith, M 2.0 3 3 3 2 2 1 8.59 Peguero, J 1.2 1 0 0 1 0 0 3.48 Ortega, J 2.0 3 1 1 0 2 0 6.75 Gabay, W (L,0-1) 0.1 2 1 1 0 1 0 6.55 8.1 14 9 9 5 8 1 L Island Fisher, J 5.0 12 7 5 0 6 2 3.48 OGrady, D 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 2.70 Schlereth, D 1.0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0.00 Rogers, R 1.0 1 0 0 1 1 0 1.93 Pestano, V (W,1-0) 1.0 2 1 1 0 2 0 1.50 9 15 8 6 1 12 2 WP--Baez, F 2 (5). PB--Rivera, C. SO--Hibbert, M 3, Pierre, G, Valentin, G, Rivera, C 3, Silverio, A, Wenrich, I, Ray, A 2, Bonifacio, E, Ford, L, Washington, D 2, Fields, D 3, Lyons, D. BB--Martinez, O, Valdespin, J 2, Snider, T, Washington, D, Lyons, D. BF--Baez, F 13 (101), Smith, M 11 (38), Peguero, J 7 (50), Ortega, J 9 (47), Gabay, W 3 (55), Fisher, J 27 (131), OGrady, D 4 (40), Schlereth, D 3 (19), Rogers, R 5 (37), Pestano, V 5 (46). P-S--Baez, F 63-35, Smith, M 32-19, Peguero, J 25-14, Ortega, J 29-23, Gabay, W 8-7, Fisher, J 88-63, OGrady, D 15-9, Schlereth, D 15-9, Rogers, R 21-10, Pestano, V 20-15. T--3:25. A--4525 Alfredo Silverio ejected in the top of the fourth inning for arguing balls and strikes Plate Umpire - Tim McCaffrey, Field Umpire #1 - Richard Katz, Field Umpire #2 - Mike Williams