Five-run sixth helps Long Island reel in Bluefish

(Bridgeport, Conn., June 13, 2015) – The Long Island Ducks defeated the Bridgeport Bluefish 9-6 on Saturday night in game three of a four-game series at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard.

GAME AUDIO: Highlights from the comeback victory

Long Island got the scoring started in the third. Mike Blanke launched a solo home run off of Bridgeport starter Cory Riordan to left field to put the Ducks on top 1-0. A few batters later, Randy Ruiz made it 2-0 Ducks with a RBI single to center that scored Delta Cleary, Jr. The Bluefish got both runs back in the bottom of the inning on Ryan Babineau’s two-run double.

Bridgeport took a 5-2 lead with three runs in the fifth. A RBI single from Jobduan Morales, a RBI double from Babineau, and a RBI single from Frazier Hall did the damage. The Ducks retook the lead in the sixth with five runs. Reegie Corona and Blanke worked back-to-back walks with the bases loaded for the first two runs. Dan Lyons lifted a sacrifice fly to center for the third run. Bryan Sabatella’s two-run triple finished the inning, giving the Ducks a 7-5 advantage. Lew Ford’s RBI double in the seventh extended the lead to 8-5. Ford added another run with a RBI single in the ninth for a 9-5 lead.

In the bottom of the inning, the Bluefish hit three straight one-out singles off of Ducks reliever Patrick Crider to load the bases. Morales lifted a sacrifice fly to left against Long Island closer Ryan Kussmaul to make it a 9-6 game. One batter later, Kussmaul struck out Babineau swinging to end the game.

Brownell (5-1) earned the win for the Ducks. The righty surrendered five runs (four earned) on ten hits through five innings. He did not issue a walk and struck out three. Riordan (2-1) suffered the loss for the Bluefish, yielding seven runs on nine hits and two walks with four strikeouts through six frames. Frank DeJiulio, Jr., Bruce Kern, and Amalio Diaz each pitched a scoreless inning of relief for Long Island. Kussmaul earned his league-leading 13th save of the year with two outs in the ninth. Ford led the way for Long Island with three hits, a double, and two RBI. Cleary, Jr., Ruiz, and Cody Puckett each finished with two hits. Cleary, Jr. scored three times.

The Ducks complete their four-game series with the cross-sound rival Bridgeport Bluefish on Sunday. Game time is slated for 1:35 p.m. at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard. Right-hander Billy Buckner takes the mound for the Ducks against Bluefish righty Reinaldo Lopez. Fans can follow all of the action on the Ducks’ official YouTube channel. Live streaming audio will be available online by CLICKING HERE.

Long Island returns home on Tuesday, June 16 to open a three-game series with the Sugar Land Skeeters. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m., with the Bethpage Ballpark gates opening at 5:35 (5:20 for full season ticket holders). It’s “Don’t Zone Out” Night at the ballpark, and the first 2,500 fans in attendance will receive a Ducks Static Cling Decal, courtesy of CSEA. 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.

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CLICK HERE for Saturday’s box score