Washington and Castillo homer as Ducks nearly rally from six runs down
(Central Islip, N.Y., May 13, 2018) – The Long Island Ducks were defeated by the Sugar Land Skeeters 6-4 on Sunday afternoon in the finale of a three-game series at Bethpage Ballpark.
The Skeeters took a 2-0 lead in the first inning on a throwing error that allowed both Anthony Giansanti and Barrett Barnes to score. Giansanti’s two-run home run to left field in the second off Ducks starter John Brownell extended the advantage to four.
Sugar Land added another pair of runs in the fourth on Kyle Kubitza’s RBI double to right and Matt Chavez’s RBI single to center. Long Island closed to within 6-4 thanks to a four-run fourth, highlighted by two-run homers to left from David Washington and Wilkin Castillo. The Ducks then put the tying runs on base in the sixth and ninth innings, but they could not pull even.
Skeeters starter Ben Griset did not factor into the decision but pitched four and two-thirds innings, allowing four runs on seven hits while striking out seven. Dallas Beeler (1-0) got the win, pitching two and one-third scoreless inning of relief, allowing two hits while striking out four. Brownell (1-2) suffered the loss, surrendering six runs (three earned) on six hits and three walks over four innings with five strikeouts. Felipe Paulino earned his fourth save with a scoreless ninth, yielding a hit and a walk but striking out two.
Emilio Bonifacio and Cody Puckett each had two hits for Long Island.
Following a day off on Monday, the Ducks will continue their homestand on Tuesday night with the opener of a three-game series against the Road Warriors. 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 “Bark in the Park” Night, presented by the Long Island Veterinary Specialists. All fans wishing to bring their dog to the ballpark must purchase a Pooch Pass, which includes a game ticket in designated box seating sections as well as admission for one dog. Passes are just $13 each and can be obtained by visiting the Bethpage Ballpark box office or going online to www.liducksgroups.com and typing in the password “pooch” when prompted. CLICK HERE for all the details. Right-hander Jake Dunning (0-1, 3.60) gets the start for the Ducks against Road Warriors lefty Kelvin Villa (0-0, 2.81).
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: 05/13/2018 Sugar Land Skeeters 6 AT Long Island Ducks 4 YTD YTD Sugar Land AB R H BI AVG L Island AB R H BI AVG Kubitza, K RF 4 1 2 1 .349 Valdespin, J 2B 5 0 1 0 .406 Giansanti, A CF 5 2 3 2 .333 Bonifacio, E CF 5 0 2 0 .480 Barnes, B DH 3 1 0 0 .184 Snider, T DH 4 0 1 0 .206 Chavez, M 1B 3 0 1 1 .448 Sole, A PR 0 0 0 0 .250 Cordero, A 3B 5 0 1 1 .358 Ford, L LF 5 1 1 0 .281 Hawkins, C LF 5 0 0 0 .241 Washington, D 1B 3 1 1 2 .254 Norris, D C 4 0 0 0 .220 Puckett, C 3B 4 1 2 0 .182 Rondon, A SS 4 0 1 0 .216 Castillo, W C 4 1 1 2 .314 Walsh, C 2B 4 2 2 0 .261 Lyons, D SS 3 0 1 0 .209 Garcia, R RF 4 0 0 0 .156 37 6 10 5 37 4 10 4 Sugar Land 2 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 - 6 10 0 L Island 0 0 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 - 4 10 4 2B--Kubitza, K RF 2 (7), Valdespin, J 2B (5), Bonifacio, E CF 2 (5), Puckett, C 3B (5). HR--Giansanti, A CF (3), Washington, D 1B (5), Castillo, W C (2). RBI--Kubitza, K RF (12), Giansanti, A CF 2 (6), Chavez, M 1B (8), Cordero, A 3B (9), TOTALS 5 (0), Washington, D 1B 2 (14), Castillo, W C 2 (8), TOTALS 4 (0). HP--Lyons, D SS (4). E--Bonifacio, E CF (1), Puckett, C 3B (3), Castillo, W C (1), Garcia, R RF (1). LOB--Sugar Land 10, L Island 9. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA Sugar Land Griset, B 4.2 7 4 4 0 7 2 3.14 Beeler, D (W,1-0) 2.1 2 0 0 0 4 0 3.38 Sitton, K 1.0 0 0 0 1 2 0 6.14 Paulino, F (S,4) 1.0 1 0 0 1 2 0 0.00 9 10 4 4 2 15 2 L Island Brownell, J (L,1-2) 4.0 6 6 3 3 5 1 6.14 OGrady, D 2.0 0 0 0 1 0 0 3.86 Tolliver, A 1.0 1 0 0 1 1 0 1.59 Perez, W 0.2 3 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 Pestano, V 1.1 0 0 0 1 2 0 0.00 9 10 6 3 6 8 1 WP--Brownell, J (2). PB--Norris, D, Castillo, W. HB--Beeler, D (1). SO--Kubitza, K, Giansanti, A, Hawkins, C 3, Norris, D, Rondon, A 2, Valdespin, J 2, Bonifacio, E 2, Snider, T 2, Ford, L, Washington, D 2, Puckett, C, Castillo, W 3, Garcia, R 2. BB--Kubitza, K, Barnes, B 2, Chavez, M 2, Norris, D, Snider, T, Washington, D. BF--Griset, B 21 (62), Beeler, D 10 (21), Sitton, K 4 (35), Paulino, F 5 (23), Brownell, J 23 (67), OGrady, D 6 (29), Tolliver, A 5 (21), Perez, W 4 (26), Pestano, V 5 (28). P-S--Griset, B 82-56, Beeler, D 39-23, Sitton, K 16-11, Paulino, F 24-16, Brownell, J 93-55, OGrady, D 23-14, Tolliver, A 21-12, Perez, W 19-14, Pestano, V 19-11. T--3:21. A--3779 Plate Umpire - Calvin Baker, Field Umpire #1 - Warren Nicholson, Field Umpire #2 - Kris Engstrand