(Central Islip, N.Y., June 6, 2012) – The Long Island Ducks defeated the Bridgeport Bluefish 5-3 on Wednesday night in the second game of a three-game series at Bethpage Ballpark.
GAME VIDEO: Ray Navarrete’s RBI single and sac fly and Matt Esquivel’s RBI single
POSTGAME VIDEO: Kevin Baez, Reid Gorecki and Bob Zimmermann talk about the victory and preview the series finale on Thursday
Bridgeport struck early for three runs in the first against Ducks starter Bob Zimmermann on a three-run homer to left by Brock Peterson. The Ducks rallied back for two in their half of the inning on a RBI single by Ray Navarrete and a run-scoring double play ball off Bridgeport starter Raymar Diaz.
Long Island took the lead in the fourth with two more runs on a RBI double from Dan Lyons and a sac fly off the bat of Navarrete. Another run in the sixth on a run-scoring base hit from Matt Esquivel pushed the lead to 5-3.
Zimmermann (4-2) earned the win, tossing seven innings, allowing three runs on four hits while striking out six. Diaz (0-5) remained winless, surrendering four runs on five hits in three and two-thirds innings. Jon Meloan picked up his eighth save of the season, pitching a perfect ninth.
The Ferry Cup Series continues on Thursday night, as the Ducks play the final game of a three-game set against the cross-sound rival Bluefish. Game time is slated for 6:35 p.m., with the ballpark gates opening at 5:35. Lefty Randy Keisler gets the start for Long Island against Bridgeport southpaw Isaac Hess.
It will be an “Unused Ticket Day” at Bethpage Ballpark. Fans that did not make it out to a ballgame during the 2012 season and are still in possession of their unused tickets may exchange them for tickets of equal or lesser value at the Bethpage Ballpark Box Office, subject to availability. Also, make sure you look for Ducks staff members, who will be handing out coupons for discounts at Verace Authentic Italian Restaurant!
Tickets for the game and all Ducks home games are available by visiting the Bethpage Ballpark box office, calling 631-940-TIXX or visiting www.liducks.com. Fans unable to make the game can follow all the action live online at www.liducks.com by clicking the Watch Live icon on the homepage. Streaming video and audio will be provided online by iBN, the Internet Broadcast Network.
Duck Tales: With three hits, Ray Navarrete has now reached base safely in his last 24 games, the longest on-base streak by a Duck this season and second-longest active streak in the Atlantic League. The seven-year Duck has also picked up hits in 21 of his last 24 games and now has a team-best four three-hit games this year…Jon Meloan picked up his eighth save of the season, tying him for first place in the Atlantic League. Meloan leads the Ducks with a 1.31 ERA and has allowed just three earned runs in 20 and two-thirds innings pitched…Bob Zimmermann picked up his fourth win of the season, tying the team-high with Jason Monti. After the first inning, Zimmermann pitched six scoreless innings, allowing just three hits while striking out five batters.
GAME DATE: 06/06/2012 Bridgeport Bluefish 3 AT Long Island Ducks 5 YTD YTD Bridgeport AB R H BI AVG L Island AB R H BI AVG K.Jones DH 4 0 0 0 .302 K.Binick CF 3 1 1 0 .271 E.Rogers SS 3 1 1 0 .270 R.Gorecki RF 3 2 2 0 .308 P.Redman RF 3 1 0 0 .294 R.Navarrete 2B 4 0 3 2 .338 B.Peterson 1B 4 1 1 3 .252 M.Esquivel DH 4 0 1 1 .342 L.Lopez 3B 3 0 0 0 .264 B.Sing 1B 3 0 0 0 .220 J.Simmons CF 4 0 0 0 .133 B.Nelson 3B 4 0 2 0 .245 A.Flores C 4 0 1 0 .341 J.McOwen LF 4 0 0 0 .250 P.Barrows LF 2 0 0 0 .320 J.Johnson C 2 1 0 0 .248 P.Lopez 2B 3 0 1 0 .242 D.Lyons SS 4 1 1 1 .252 30 3 4 3 31 5 10 4 Bridgeport 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 3 4 0 L Island 2 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 x - 5 10 0 2B--R.Gorecki (6), D.Lyons (2). HR--B.Peterson (9). RBI--B.Peterson 3 (31), R.Navarrete 2 (28), M.Esquivel (9), D.Lyons (21). HP--K.Binick 2 (11), J.Johnson (1). SF--R.Navarrete (3). SH--R.Gorecki (0). SB--E.Rogers (3), B.Nelson (2), J.Johnson (2). LOB--Bridgeport 4, L Island 15. DP--L. Lopez(3B) - P. Lopez(2B) - B. Peterson(1B), R. Navarrete(2B) - D. Lyons(SS) - B. Sing(1B). YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA Bridgeport R.Diaz (L,0-5) 3.2 5 4 4 3 2 0 11.96 W.Pelzer 1.1 0 0 0 3 2 0 9.95 K.Zaleski 1.0 4 1 1 0 3 0 4.18 J.English 2.0 1 0 0 2 1 0 5.21 8 10 5 5 8 8 0 L Island B.Zimmermann (W,4-2) 7.0 4 3 3 4 6 1 4.03 J.Hill 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 3.52 J.Meloan (S,8) 1.0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1.31 9 4 3 3 4 8 1 HB--R.Diaz 3 (5). SO--K.Jones, B.Peterson 2, L.Lopez, J.Simmons 3, P.Barrows, R.Gorecki, M.Esquivel, B.Sing 2, J.McOwen, J.Johnson 2, D.Lyons. BB--E.Rogers, P.Redman, L.Lopez, P.Barrows, R.Gorecki, M.Esquivel, B.Sing 2, B.Nelson, J.McOwen, J.Johnson 2. BF--R.Diaz 21 (143), W.Pelzer 7 (31), K.Zaleski 7 (108), J.English 9 (85), B.Zimmermann 28 (225), J.Hill 3 (97), J.Meloan 3 (85). P-S--R.Diaz 70-43, W.Pelzer 31-14, K.Zaleski 28-16, J.English 36-22, B.Zimmermann 117-70, J.Hill 13-10, J.Meloan 20-12. T--3:12. A--4824 Umpires: Plate Ump - Eric Diaz, Field Ump #1 - Mike Terry, Field Ump #2 - Pat McLaughlin