Long Island posts largest single-game run total in team history
(Central Islip, N.Y., May 4, 2018) – The Long Island Ducks defeated the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs 27-9 on Friday night in the 2018 Home Opener at Bethpage Ballpark.
The Ducks exploded for seven runs in the bottom of the second inning off Blue Crabs starter Sean O’Sullivan to open the scoring. A two-run home run to center field by David Washington, a solo homer to left-center by Cody Puckett and a three-run double to left by Lew Ford highlighted the inning. Three more runs came home for Long Island in the third on a two-run single to right by Jordany Valdespin and a run-scoring groundout off the bat of Tyler Holt.
After Southern Maryland closed to within 10-2 in the fourth, Long Island go the runs right back in the bottom of the inning on RBI doubles by Puckett and Dan Lyons. A four-spot for the Flock in the fifth increased the advantage to 16-2, with Wilkin Castillo collecting a run-scoring single in the frame.
The offense continued to pour it on late with three runs in the sixth and another in the seventh. A sac fly from Daniel Fields, bases loaded walks to Alec Sole and Valdespin and a mammoth solo homer to right by Washington did the damage. The Ducks then eclipsed the franchise record for runs in a game with seven more runs in the eighth. A three-run double by Puckett tied the record of 25, set on June 9, 2011 at Lancaster, and an RBI double by Fields surpassed it.
Jurrjens (1-1) earned the win, pitching six innings, allowing two runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out five. O’Sullivan (0-2) suffered the loss, surrendering 10 runs (seven earned) on eight hits and two walks in just two and one-third innings with five strikeouts.
Washington led the Flock with four hits and a franchise record-tying six runs scored while adding three RBI. Castillo also had four hits along with three RBI and two runs. Puckett led Long Island with six runs batted in while scoring five times and collecting three hits.
The Ducks and Blue Crabs continue their three-game set on Saturday night. Game time is slated for 6:35 p.m., with the ballpark gates opening at 5:35 (5:20 for full season ticket holders). Following the game, all fans in attendance will be treated to the first Fireworks Spectacular of the 2018 season. In addition, Ducks staff members will be handing out coupons for $10 off a purchase of $50 or more at Dick’s Sporting Goods to fans as they exit the ballpark following the fireworks show. Left-hander Jake Fisher (1-0, 3.60) takes the mound for the Ducks against Blue Crabs righty Brandon Cumpton (0-1, 13.50).
Tickets for 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: 05/04/2018 Southern Maryland Blue Crabs 9 AT Long Island Ducks 27 YTD YTD S Maryland AB R H BI AVG L Island AB R H BI AVG Bladel, J RF 4 2 2 3 .462 Valdespin, J 2B 4 1 1 4 .433 Wong, J 2B 3 0 0 0 .241 Holt, T CF 6 2 1 1 .182 Kahoohala 2B,P,PH 2 0 0 0 .000 Snider, T RF 7 3 2 1 .194 Rodriguez, D 1B 5 2 2 1 .300 Ford, L DH 4 1 2 3 .357 Martinez, F 3B 5 1 2 2 .357 Garcia, R DH,PH 3 1 0 1 .182 Strausborger, R DH 1 0 0 0 .348 Washington, D 1B 5 6 4 3 .344 Martinez, T DH,PH 3 0 1 0 .222 Puckett, C 3B 5 5 3 6 .263 Daniel, A 2B 1 1 0 0 .286 Fields, D LF 4 3 2 2 .261 Vaughn, C CF 4 1 2 2 .208 Castillo, W C 6 2 4 3 .286 Paul, X LF 4 0 1 1 .158 Lyons, D SS 1 2 1 1 .143 Gonzalez, J C 2 0 1 0 .313 Sole, A PH,SS 1 1 0 1 .250 Green, A C 2 1 1 0 .364 Garcia, E SS 3 1 0 0 .158 39 9 12 9 46 27 20 26 S Maryland 0 0 0 2 0 0 3 0 4 - 9 12 2 L Island 0 7 3 2 4 3 1 7 x - 27 20 1 2B--Rodriguez, D 1B 2 (3), Vaughn, C CF 2 (2), Ford, L DH (3), Washington, D 1B (3), Puckett, C 3B 2 (3), Fields, D LF (1), Castillo, W C (1), Lyons, D SS (3). 3B--Castillo, W C (1). HR--Bladel, J RF (1), Washington, D 1B 2 (4), Puckett, C 3B (1). RBI--Bladel, J RF 3 (5), Rodriguez, D 1B (2), Martinez, F 3B 2 (5), Vaughn, C CF 2 (4), Paul, X LF (1), TOTALS 9 (0), Valdespin, J 2B 4 (11), Holt, T CF (2), Snider, T RF (6), Ford, L DH 3 (10), Garcia, R DH,PH (1), Washington, D 1B 3 (11), Puckett, C 3B 6 (6), Fields, D LF 2 (3), Castillo, W C 3 (4), Lyons, D SS (5), Sole, A PH,SS (3), TOTALS 26 (0). HP--Valdespin, J 2B (2), Puckett, C 3B (1), Fields, D LF (1), Lyons, D SS (2). SF--Fields, D LF (1). SB--Fields, D LF (1). E--Garcia, E SS 2 (5), Sole, A PH,SS (1). LOB--S Maryland 7, L Island 12. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA S Maryland OSullivan, S (L,0-2) 2.1 8 10 7 2 5 2 20.25 Mariano Jr., R 2.1 7 6 6 2 1 0 24.75 Frazier, P 1.0 0 3 0 3 3 0 0.00 Russo, D 1.1 1 1 1 2 2 1 3.38 Chaffee, R 0.2 2 6 6 3 0 0 14.73 Kahoohalahala, K 0.1 2 1 1 0 0 0 27.03 8 20 27 21 12 11 3 L Island Jurrjens, J (W,1-1) 6.0 7 2 2 1 5 0 5.40 Creasy, J 2.0 2 3 3 2 4 1 11.25 Pimentel, C 1.0 3 4 2 1 1 0 3.86 9 12 9 7 4 10 1 WP--Mariano Jr., R (1), Frazier, P (2). HB--OSullivan, S (1), Mariano Jr., R 2 (4), Chaffee, R (1). SO--Bladel, J, Kahoohalahala, K, Rodriguez, D, Martinez, F, Vaughn, C 2, Paul, X, Green, A, Garcia, E 2, Valdespin, J, Holt, T 4, Snider, T, Garcia, R 2, Washington, D, Puckett, C, Castillo, W. BB--Bladel, J, Vaughn, C, Paul, X, Garcia, E, Valdespin, J 2, Holt, T, Washington, D 2, Puckett, C, Fields, D, Castillo, W, Lyons, D 2, Sole, A 2. BF--OSullivan, S 19 (35), Mariano Jr., R 18 (32), Frazier, P 8 (20), Russo, D 7 (24), Chaffee, R 8 (20), Kahoohalahala, K 3 (3), Jurrjens, J 25 (46), Creasy, J 10 (20), Pimentel, C 8 (24). P-S--OSullivan, S 60-38, Mariano Jr., R 73-38, Frazier, P 36-18, Russo, D 33-17, Chaffee, R 45-23, Kahoohalahala, K 11-7, Jurrjens, J 74-50, Creasy, J 44-25, Pimentel, C 20-15. T--3:43. A--5778 Plate Umpire - Silvio Martinez, Field Umpire #1 - Mike Williams, Field Umpire #2 - Calvin Baker