Ford hits league-leading 11th homer in loss

(Bridgewater, N.J., June 15, 2014) – The Long Island Ducks were defeated by the Somerset Patriots 6-4 Sunday afternoon at TD Bank Ballpark in the third game of a four-game series.

GAME AUDIO: Highlights from the ballgame

Long Island jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first on a RBI single from Brendan Harris against Somerset starter Matt Zielinski. Somerset responded the next half inning with a two-run double from Corey Smith off Ducks starter Casey Barnes to take a 2-1 lead.

The Patriots added to their lead in the second with an unearned run on a RBI single from Adam Donachie. Long Island trimmed the deficit to one in the top of the third with a solo home run from Lew Ford. A two-run home run from Donachie in the fourth extended Somerset’s lead to 5-2.

Somerset added a run in the sixth on a sac fly from Donachie, before the Ducks responded in the top of the seventh on a RBI double from Fehlandt Lentini. Long Island added a run in the top of the ninth on a pinch-hit sac fly from Randy Ruiz, but stranded the tying run at first base to end the ballgame.

Barnes (0-2) received the loss after allowing five runs (four earned) on 10 hits, one walk and three strikeouts over four innings. Zielinski (5-2) earned the win, yielding three runs on four hits, two walks and six strikeouts over seven innings. Jon Hunton earned his 13th save of the year after allowing one run on two hits and one walk in the ninth.

Jan Vazquez and Lentini each led the Ducks bats with two hits.

Long Island and Somerset conclude their four-game series at TD Bank Ballpark Monday night. Jared Lansford (2-2) makes the start for the Ducks against Derell McCall (2-2) for the Patriots. The broadcast can be heard on the Ducks official YouTube channel by CLICKING HERE. Coverage begins at 6:50 p.m., with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. Marc Schwartz will call the play-by-play.

Long Island returns home on Saturday, June 21 for a day/night doubleheader with the Sugar Land Skeeters. First pitch for game one is slated for 1:05 p.m., with the Bethpage Ballpark gates opening at 12:05. It’s peanut-free day at the ballpark! There will be no sale of peanuts during the game to allow those suffering from peanut allergies the chance to attend a baseball game. Game two is scheduled for 7:05 p.m., with the ballpark gates opening at 6:05. Following the game, all fans in attendance will be treated to a Pyrotecnico Fireworks Extravaganza, presented by NYCB. Tickets for the game and every Ducks regular season home game are now on sale. Fans can purchase their tickets by visiting the Bethpage Ballpark box office, calling 631-940-TIXX or by CLICKING HERE.

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 Game Date: 06/15/2014 Long Island Ducks 4 AT Somerset Patriots 6 YTD YTD L Island AB R H BI AVG Somerset AB R H BI AVG F.Lentini RF 5 0 2 1 .299 A.Eggleston LF 3 2 2 0 .273 C.Puckett 2B 4 1 0 0 .292 A.Donachie 1B 3 2 3 4 .294 L.Ford CF 2 1 1 1 .398 L.Montanez CF,RF 4 0 1 0 .263 J.Brodin 1B 4 0 1 0 .254 C.Smith 3B 4 0 2 2 .306 B.Harris 3B 4 0 1 1 .255 T.Wright RF 3 0 1 0 .234 A.Bailey LF 4 0 0 0 .272 J.Tucker CF,PR 0 0 0 0 .253 J.Myers DH 3 1 0 0 .181 E.Martinez-Este DH 4 0 0 0 .283 K.Castillo C 2 1 1 0 .239 B.Barden 2B 4 0 0 0 .000 J.Vazquez PH 1 0 1 0 .225 D.Espino C 4 1 2 0 .215 D.Lyons SS 3 0 0 0 .246 E.Maysonet SS 4 1 0 0 .214 R.Ruiz PH 0 0 0 1 .287 32 4 7 4 33 6 11 6 L Island 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 - 4 7 1 Somerset 2 1 0 2 0 1 0 0 x - 6 11 2 2B--F.Lentini (14), C.Smith (12). 3B--D.Espino (1). HR--L.Ford (11), A.Donachie (3). RBI--F.Lentini (25), L.Ford (47), B.Harris (10), R.Ruiz (15), A.Donachie 4 (18), C.Smith 2 (27). HP--C.Puckett (2), L.Ford (5), T.Wright (5). SF--R.Ruiz (1), A.Donachie (2). CS--D.Espino (2). E--K.Castillo (6), A.Donachie (1), B.Barden (1). LOB--L Island 7, Somerset 7. DP--E. Maysonet(SS) - B. Barden(2B) - A. Donachie(1B), D. Lyons(SS) - C. Puckett(2B) - J. Brodin(1B). YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA L Island C.Barnes (L,0-2) 4.0 10 5 4 1 3 1 5.26 D.Kopp 2.0 1 1 1 1 1 0 1.80 E.Niesen 2.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2.78 8 11 6 5 2 4 1 Somerset M.Zielinski (W,5-2) 7.0 4 3 3 2 6 1 2.96 J.Lowey 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1.59 J.Hunton (S,13) 1.0 2 1 1 1 1 0 4.34 9 7 4 4 3 7 1 HB--E.Niesen (6), M.Zielinski (3), J.Lowey (2). SO--L.Ford, J.Brodin, A.Bailey 4, D.Lyons, T.Wright 2, B.Barden 2. BB--L.Ford, J.Myers, K.Castillo, A.Eggleston 2. BF--C.Barnes 22 (118), D.Kopp 8 (21), E.Niesen 7 (105), M.Zielinski 29 (231), J.Lowey 3 (64), J.Hunton 6 (90). P-S--C.Barnes 70-43, D.Kopp 24-16, E.Niesen 24-15, M.Zielinski 96-59, J.Lowey 8-5, J.Hunton 27-16. T--2:41. A--7283 Kevin Baez, LI Manager, ejected B8 Weather: PERFECT! Plate Umpire - Steve Leonardo, Field Umpire #1 - Derek Moccia, Field Umpire #3 - Freddy DeJesus