Long Island picks up ninth straight win over Southern Maryland
(Waldorf, Md., August 27, 2015) – The Long Island Ducks defeated the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs 6-3 on Thursday night in the opener of a four-game series at Regency Furniture Stadium.
GAME AUDIO: Highlights from the series-opening victory
The Ducks took a 2-0 lead in the first on RBI singles from Sean Burroughs and Mike Blanke off Blue Crabs starter Darryl Thompson. Dan Lyons extended the lead to 5-0 with a three-run homer to left in the fourth. In the bottom of the inning, Southern Maryland posted two runs on a RBI infield single from Keith Castillo and a RBI bunt single with the bases loaded from Fred Lewis against Ducks starter Darin Downs. Blanke’s solo homer in the fifth gave the Ducks a 6-2 advantage.
After Nick Struck and J.C. Romero held the Blue Crabs hitless in two innings of relief for Long Island, Amalio Diaz allowed one run in the ninth on a RBI single from Craig Maddox. However, Diaz worked out of the inning and completed the victory.
Downs (3-4) earned the win, giving up two runs on seven hits in six innings while walking three and striking out six. Thompson (5-5) was saddled with the loss, allowing six runs (three earned) on 10 hits in six frames. He walked one and struck out four. Diaz allowed the ninth-inning run on three hits but struck out two.
Blanke led the Ducks with three hits including the homer, two RBI, and one run scored. Lyons finished with a pair of hits with a homer, three RBI, and two runs scored.
Long Island continues their four-game set with the Blue Crabs on Friday night. Game time is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. from Regency Furniture Stadium. Righty John Brownell will take the mound for the Ducks against Blue Crabs right-hander Tim Sexton. Fans can follow all of the action live on the Ducks’ flagship radio station, 103.9-FM LI News Radio. Streaming audio will also be available online by CLICKING HERE.
The Ducks will return home on Tuesday, September 1 to begin a three-game series with the Bluefish. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m., with the Bethpage Ballpark gates opening at 5:35 (5:20 for full season ticket holders. It’s the 10th Annual Breast Cancer Awareness Night at the ballpark, presented by 1st Equity/PinkTie.org. The first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive Commemorative Pink T-Shirts, and following the game, all fans in attendance will be treated to a Pyrotecnico Fireworks Extravaganza. Tickets to the game and all Ducks home games are available by visiting the Bethpage Ballpark box office, calling (631) 940-TIXX or CLICKING HERE.
###
CLICK HERE to view Thursday’s box score