David Washington totals five RBIs on the day
(Central Islip, N.Y., May 18, 2019) – The Long Island Ducks split a day/night doubleheader with the New Britain Bees on Saturday at Bethpage Ballpark, taking game one by a 5-4 margin before dropping the nightcap 12-2.
Jason Rogers gave the Bees a 1-0 first-inning lead with an RBI double to right field off Ducks starter Bennett Parry. David Washington answered with a three-run homer to right in the bottom of the second off Bees starter Anthony Marzi to put the Ducks on top 3-1.
Lew Ford lifted a sacrifice fly to right in the third, increasing Long Island’s lead to 4-1. However, a three-run fifth by New Britain evened the score at four. A run-scoring wild pitch, an RBI single by Alejandro De Aza and a bases loaded walk to Bijan Rademacher did the damage.
The Ducks would grab the lead back for good in the bottom of the sixth. Lew Ford drew a leadoff walk, and Washington delivered a two-out RBI single to right, scoring pinch-runner Daniel Fields to put the Flock ahead 5-4. New Britain put the first two men on base in the seventh, but George Kontos retired three straight hitters to end the ballgame.
Parry did not factor into the decision but lasted four innings, allowing four runs on five hits and four walks while striking out seven. Vin Mazzaro (1-1) picked up the win after pitching a 1-2-3 sixth inning, striking out two. Marzi (0-1) took the loss, giving up five runs on six hits and two walks in five and two-thirds innings while striking out five. Kontos earned his third save with a scoreless ninth inning.
Washington led the Flock offensively with two hits and four RBIs.
The Bees took a 1-0 lead in the third inning of game two on an RBI single to short by Alexi Amarista off Ducks starter Alec Asher. Long Island responded in the bottom of the third with a sac fly to right off the bat of Rey Fuentes to tie the game.
New Britain then struck for three runs in the fifth to take a 4-1 lead. Darren Ford’s two-run homer to left and De Aza’s RBI double to right did the damage. Washington later added an RBI double to right-center for Long Island in the seventh. However, the Bees offense struck for eight runs over the final four innings to put the game out of reach.
Asher did not factor into the decision but lasted four innings, allowing a run on four hits and a walk with one strikeout. Jed Bradley (1-0) got the win, allowing a run on two hits and two walks over five innings with four strikeouts. Brett Marshall (1-3) took the loss in relief, yielding three runs on four hits in one inning.
Hector Sanchez led the Ducks with two hits and a run.
The Ducks and Bees wrap up their four-game series on Sunday afternoon. Game time is slated for 1:35 p.m., with the Bethpage Ballpark gates opening at 12:35 (12:20 for full season ticket holders). Prior to the game, fans will be invited onto the field with an autograph session with the Ducks from 12:50 to 1:05. After the game, kids and kids at heart can take part in Kids Run the Bases, presented by Bethpage Federal Credit Union. Left-hander Darin Downs (0-0, 2.70) gets the ball for the Ducks against Bees righty Rainy Lara (1-1, 4.30).
Tickets to the game, and all Ducks home games, can be purchased by visiting the 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 video and audio will be available via BoxCast on LIDucks.com, Facebook Live and the Ducks official YouTube channel.
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)
With eight teams in the Mid-Atlantic and Texas, the ALPB is a leader in baseball innovation and a player gateway to Major League Baseball. Through its exclusive partnership with MLB, the Atlantic League tests Major League Baseball rules and equipment initiatives. The Atlantic League has sent over 900 players to MLB organizations while drawing more than 40 million fans to its affordable, family-friendly ballparks throughout its 22-year history.
For more information, please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.
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