Flock take series opener from Bridgeport and win seventh straight

(Central Islip, N.Y., June 19, 2015) – The Long Island Ducks defeated the Bridgeport Bluefish 6-2 on Friday night in the opener of a four-game series at Bethpage Ballpark.

GAME AUDIO: Highlights from the comeback victory

POSTGAME VIDEO: Kevin Baez, John Brownell and Jose Morales talk about the night

Bridgeport got the scoring started in the third against Ducks starter John Brownell. Matt Wessinger’s solo homer to left put the Bluefish up 1-0.

The score stayed the same until the seventh when Long Island stormed back to take the lead. Prentice Redman brought in two runs with an infield single off the back of Bluefish starter Mike Antonini, giving the Ducks the advantage. Dan Lyons’ sacrifice fly to center extended the lead, and Reegie Corona’s RBI triple put the Ducks on top 4-1.

Cody Puckett added another insurance run off of reliever Robert Carson in the eighth on a RBI double. Jose Morales reached on an error to round out the scoring and give Long Island a 6-1 lead. The Bluefish got one run back in the ninth on a RBI double from Jake Luce off of Bruce Kern but could not complete the comeback.

Brownell (6-1) earned the win, pitching eight innings and allowing one run on four hits. He walked two and struck out seven. Antonini (3-5) suffered the loss, yielding four runs (all unearned) on five hits with one walk and three strikeouts in six and one-third innings.

Lew Ford, Redman, and Morales each had a pair of hits for Long Island.

The Ducks continue their series with the cross-sound rival Bridgeport Bluefish on Saturday in the second game of a four-game set. 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). Following the game, all fans in attendance will be treated to a Pyrotecnico Fireworks Extravaganza, presented by NYCB. In addition, Ducks staff members will be handing out coupons for discounts at Dick’s Sporting Goods to fans following the game. Righty Billy Buckner will take the mound for the Ducks against Bluefish right-hander Kameron Loe.

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. Those unable to make the game can follow all of the action live on the Ducks’ flagship radio station, 103.9-FM LI News Radio. Live streaming video and audio will also be available on the Ducks’ official YouTube channel by CLICKING HERE.

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Duck Tales: With the win, Long Island has now won seven consecutive games and 17 of their last 18 contests, all during the month of June. In addition, the Flock have won 10 straight games at Bethpage Ballpark. The longest home winning streak in franchise history was 12 games, which was done July 5-20, 2006…Lew Ford has now earned hits in 12 consecutive games after picking up two hits in the game. In those 12 games, the former big leaguer is batting .449 (22-for-49) with six doubles, eight RBI and 11 runs. Ford currently leads the Atlantic League in hits (70), RBI (44), total bases (107), doubles (19) and extra-base hits (26)…John Brownell improved to 2-0 at home against the Bridgeport Bluefish this year. In his two starts at Bethpage Ballpark against the ‘Fish, he has given up just three runs in 15 innings of work on 10 hits and three walks while striking out 11. The right-hander has not lost in his last seven starts, and the Ducks have earned the win in nine of his 10 starts this year…Friday’s crowd of 6,063 marked the first sold out crowd of the season for the Ducks. Long Island has now hosted 640 sellout crowds in franchise history, an Atlantic League record. In addition, Long Island has welcomed 6,399,008 fans through the gates since their inaugural game of April 28, 2000…Prior to the game, the Ducks held a ceremony to retire the #4 jersey of all-time great Justin Davies. The outfielder, who spent six seasons with the Ducks from 2000-05, became the first player to have his jersey number retired in team history. Davies led the Ducks to the 2004 Atlantic League championship and was named Championship Series MVP that same year. In addition, he was selected to two Atlantic League All-Star Games and retired as the team’s all-time leader in games played (637), hits (615), runs (426) and stolen bases (149).