Ramon Flores launches first Ducks homer as part of three-hit night for Flock
(Central Islip, N.Y., July 30, 2021) – The Long Island Ducks were defeated by the Gastonia Honey Hunters 7-5 on Friday night in the opening game of a three-game series at Fairfield Properties Ballpark.
Jason Rogers gave Gastonia an early lead with a two-run home run to right field in the first inning off Ducks starter Anderson DeLeon. A bases loaded walk to Ryan Jackson in the bottom of the first brought the Ducks to within 2-1, but a three-run homer to right by Emmanuel Tapia in the third widened the gap to 5-1.
Ramon Flores hit his first home run as a Duck in the bottom of the third, a solo shot off Honey Hunters starter Austin Glorius, trimming Long Island’s deficit to three. It stayed that way until the seventh when Manuel Geraldo’s RBI double and Will Johnson’s RBI single increased the Honey Hunters lead to 7-2.
L.J. Mazzilli’s run-scoring groundout to short in the bottom of the seventh brought the Ducks to within three. Vladimir Frias crushed a two-run home run to right field in the ninth to make it a 7-5 game. Long Island then nearly tied it, but Deibinson Romero’s deep drive to left was caught at the wall.
Glorius (3-2) earned the win, tossing six innings of two-run ball, allowing five hits and four walks while striking out two. DeLeon (1-1) suffered the loss, surrendering five runs on four hits and three walks over six innings with five strikeouts. Donnie Hart collected his second save after recording the final two outs.
Flores led the Flock offensively with three hits, an RBI, a run and a walk. Mazzilli added three hits, an RBI and a walk, while Frias chipped in with two hits, two RBIs, three runs and a walk.
The Ducks and Honey Hunters continue their three-game set on Saturday night. 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). The first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive 2021 Ducks Team Photos, courtesy of Farmingdale Meat Market. It’s also a Lucky Seat Saturday, presented by Long Island MacArthur Airport. During the game, the Ducks will be selecting a lucky fan in the ballpark, who will win a free trip from Islip to Nashville. To be eligible for the prize, please sign up prior to the end of the third inning at the Ducks Ticket Kiosk on the main concourse. Right-hander Joe Iorio (5-1, 4.37) takes the mound for the Ducks against Honey Hunters righty William Kirwan (3-4, 7.90).
Tickets to the game, and all Ducks home games, can be purchased 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 on the Long Island Ducks Broadcast Network. Live streaming HD video and audio will be available via BoxCast on LIDucks.com in the Ducks Video Center on the homepage as well as on the Ducks official Facebook page and YouTube channel.
The Long Island Ducks are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, a Professional Partner League of Major League Baseball, and play their home games at Fairfield Properties Ballpark. For further information, visit LIDucks.com or call (631) 940-DUCK (3825).
About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
With teams throughout the Mid-Atlantic, 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 1,000 players to MLB organizations while drawing more than 42 million fans to its affordable, family-friendly ballparks throughout its 24-year history. For more information, please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.
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