Early runs hold up as Ducks fall just short
(Central Islip, N.Y., June 15, 2018) – The Long Island Ducks were defeated by the Lancaster Barnstormers 5-3 on Friday night in the opener of a three-game series at Bethpage Ballpark.
Lancaster took advantage of an error in the first inning and scored two runs on a pair of RBI groundouts off Ducks starter John Brownell. Long Island closed to within 2-1 in the bottom of the second on Taylor Ard’s RBI groundout to third off Barnstormers starter Brooks Hall.
The teams then traded single runs over the next two innings. Blake Gailen drove in both Barnstormers runs on a solo homer to right and an RBI single to right. The Ducks collected their second and third runs on Emilio Bonifacio’s RBI double to right and Ramon Cabrera’s RBI infield single to second.
It stayed that way until the top of the eighth when a bases loaded walk to Rico Noel rounded out the scoring for Lancaster at 5-3. The Ducks put the tying runs on base in the ninth inning, but they could not pull even.
Hall (3-2) earned the win, tossing seven innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits and a walk while striking out five. Brownell (3-5) took the loss, conceding four runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks over four innings with two strikeouts. Matt Reynolds collected his 11th save with a scoreless ninth inning.
Bonifacio, Cabrera and Jordany Valdespin each had two hits for Long Island.
The Ducks and Barnstormers continue their three-game set on Saturday night. 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 Fireworks Spectacular. 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. Right-hander Matt Larkins (4-1, 2.09) takes the mound for the Ducks against Barnstormers righty Joe Gardner (3-2, 3.78).
Tickets to 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: 06/15/2018 Lancaster Barnstormers 5 AT Long Island Ducks 3 YTD YTD Lancaster AB R H BI AVG L Island AB R H BI AVG Sandford, D CF 4 1 2 0 .274 Valdespin, J 2B 4 1 2 0 .348 Noel, R 2B 3 1 0 1 .356 Bonifacio, E CF 4 0 2 1 .292 Gailen, B DH 4 1 2 2 .285 Snider, T RF 4 0 0 0 .267 Hobson, K 1B 5 0 0 1 .083 Ford, L DH 4 1 1 0 .253 Robinson, T LF 4 0 1 1 .284 Washington, D LF 3 1 0 0 .252 Desme, G RF 4 0 1 0 .304 Ard, T 1B 4 0 1 1 .262 Frias, V SS 5 1 2 0 .346 Cabrera, R C 4 0 2 1 .275 De La Rosa, A C 4 0 0 0 .221 Puckett, C 3B 2 0 0 0 .256 Bortnick, T 3B 1 1 0 0 .205 Vega, A PR 0 0 0 0 .154 Lyons, D SS 4 0 0 0 .171 34 5 8 5 33 3 8 3 Lancaster 2 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 - 5 8 1 L Island 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 - 3 8 2 2B--Sandford, D CF (3), Desme, G RF (1), Bonifacio, E CF (10), Ford, L DH (10). HR--Gailen, B DH (8). RBI--Noel, R 2B (14), Gailen, B DH 2 (38), Hobson, K 1B (1), Robinson, T LF (17), TOTALS 5 (0), Bonifacio, E CF (17), Ard, T 1B (12), Cabrera, R C (6), TOTALS 3 (0). HP--Bortnick, T 3B (6), Puckett, C 3B (3). SH--Bortnick, T 3B (0). SB--Bortnick, T 3B (9), Bonifacio, E CF (13), Washington, D LF (6). E--De La Rosa, A C (3), Lyons, D SS (8), Tolliver, A P (1). LOB--Lancaster 12, L Island 6. DP--R. Noel(2B) - V. Frias(SS) - K. Hobson(1B), V. Frias(SS) - K. Hobson(1B), J. Valdespin(2B) - T. Ard(1B). YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA Lancaster Hall, B (W,3-2) 7.0 6 3 2 1 5 0 4.23 Anderson, J 0.2 1 0 0 0 1 0 2.30 Munson, K 0.1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.32 Reynolds, M (S,11) 1.0 1 0 0 1 1 0 3.64 9 8 3 2 2 7 0 L Island Brownell, J (L,3-5) 4.0 5 4 2 3 2 1 4.60 Dunning, J 1.0 1 0 0 1 0 0 8.86 Tolliver, A 2.0 0 0 0 1 2 0 3.95 Murray, C 1.0 1 1 1 3 0 0 9.00 Sosa, L 1.0 1 0 0 0 2 0 4.91 9 8 5 3 8 6 1 WP--Brownell, J 2 (5). PB--De La Rosa, A. HB--Hall, B (5), Brownell, J (3). SO--Noel, R, Robinson, T 2, Desme, G, Frias, V, De La Rosa, A, Bonifacio, E, Snider, T, Washington, D, Ard, T 2, Puckett, C, Lyons, D. BB--Sandford, D, Noel, R 2, Gailen, B, Robinson, T, Desme, G, De La Rosa, A, Bortnick, T, Washington, D, Puckett, C. BF--Hall, B 27 (164), Anderson, J 3 (66), Munson, K (57), Reynolds, M 5 (76), Brownell, J 22 (210), Dunning, J 4 (100), Tolliver, A 7 (62), Murray, C 7 (7), Sosa, L 4 (18). P-S--Hall, B 90-63, Anderson, J 11-7, Munson, K 3-2, Reynolds, M 24-13, Brownell, J 97-56, Dunning, J 13-7, Tolliver, A 33-19, Murray, C 30-15, Sosa, L 13-10. T--3:26. A--5205 Plate Umpire - Warren Nicholson, Field Umpire #1 - John Grasso, Field Umpire #2 - Mel Chettum