(Photo courtesy of Joe Doll)
(Hagerstown, Md., July 7, 2024) – The Long Island Ducks were defeated by the Hagerstown Flying Boxcars 8-4 on Sunday night in the finale of a three-game series at Meritus Park.
Long Island took a 1-0 advantage three batters into the ballgame against Hagerstown starting pitcher Yeudy Garcia thanks to a Frank Schwindel run-scoring base hit. The Flying Boxcars tied the game at one in the second versus Ducks starter Mike Montgomery by way of an Osmy Gregorio RBI single.
The Flock went back out in front 3-1 in the third on an RBI ground-rule double to right from Chance Sisco and a run-scoring single by Ivan Castillo. Hagerstown scored three times in the bottom of the frame for a 4-3 advantage on a run-scoring groundout by Luis Diaz and back-to-back RBI singles from Ozzie Abreu and Gregorio. The Flying Boxcars sent nine to the plate in the fifth and scored four runs for an 8-3 cushion on Gregorio’s RBI double, a bases loaded walk issued to Andrew Moritz and a two-run base hit from Cito Culver. Long Island cut the deficit to 8-4 in the eighth on a bases loaded free pass issued to Jackie Bradley Jr., but the comeback fell short as Aneudy Cotorreal shut the door for his second save of the season.
Garcia (1-0) notched the win after giving up three runs on six hits in five innings pitched, walking four and striking out five. Montgomery (2-3) was tagged with the loss, surrendering four runs (one earned) on eight hits across four innings of work, walking two and striking out three.
Bradley Jr. had two doubles, two runs scored, two walks and a stolen base, while Schwindel chipped in with a pair of hits as well along with drawing a walk.
Long Island returns home on Tuesday, July 9, to begin a three-game set with the York Revolution. Game time is slated for 6:35 p.m., with the Fairfield Properties Ballpark gates opening at 5:35 (5:20 for full season ticket holders). As fans exit the ballpark following the game, Ducks staff members will be handing out coupons for a special offer from Francesco’s Trattoria East Islip. It’s also a Triple Play Tuesday, and if the Ducks turn a triple play during the game, one lucky fan will be a grand prize winner of $25,000. Lefty Wei-Yin Chen (2-5, 6.59) gets the nod for the Ducks against Revolution southpaw Zach Neff (4-3, 6.31).
Tickets for the game, and all Ducks games, are available by visiting the Fairfield Properties Ballpark box office, calling (631) 940-TIXX or CLICKING HERE. Those unable to make the game can follow all the action live on FloBaseball by CLICKING HERE.
The Ducks are in their 24th season of play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at Fairfield Properties Ballpark in Central Islip, N.Y. They are the all-time leader in wins and attendance in Atlantic League history, led all MLB Partner Leagues in attendance in 2023, and have sold out a record 710 games all-time. For further information, visit LIDucks.com or call 631-940-DUCK (3825).
About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
Celebrating its third decade, the Atlantic League is Major League Baseball’s first Professional Partner League, a player gateway to the major leagues, and a leader in baseball innovation. Over its 25-year history, the ALPB has sent over 1,400 players to MLB organizations while drawing over 47 million fans to its family-friendly ballparks. Please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.
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