(Central Islip, N.Y., Sept. 28, 2012) – The Long Island Ducks were defeated by the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs 7-5 on Friday night in Game Three of the Liberty Division Championship Series at Bethpage Ballpark. The Ducks still lead the best-of-five series two games to one.
GAME VIDEO: Matt Esquivel’s solo homer, Ray Navarrete’s RBI double and Timo Perez’ two-run single
POSTGAME VIDEO: Kevin Baez and Ray Navarrete talk about the game
The Ducks struck first in the second inning on a mammoth solo homer to left by Matt Esquivel off Blue Crabs starter Gabriel Hernandez. It stayed that way until the fifth, when Southern Maryland pulled even on a sacrifice fly to left by Jesse Gutierrez off Ducks starter Bob Zimmermann.
Long Island immediately took the lead back on a RBI double to left by Ray Navarrete in the bottom of the frame. However, a four-run seventh inning gave the Blue Crabs the lead for good. RBI singles by Richard Mercado and Cesar Nicolas highlighted the inning. Following a Gutierrez’ two-run double in the eighth that made the score 7-2, the Ducks rallied for two runs in the eighth and one in the ninth but could not pull even.
Neither starter factored into the decision. Zimmermann lasted five innings, allowing just one run on three hits and six walks with four strikeouts, and Hernandez pitched four innings, surrendering two runs on four hits and four walks. Charlie Manning (1-0) collected the win, pitching two and two-thirds scoreless innings of relief, while Eric Niesen (0-1) suffered the loss, surrendering four runs (two earned) in one-third of an inning. Chris Mobley earned the save despite allowing a run in the ninth.
The best-of-five series continues on Saturday night when the Ducks and Blue Crabs play Game Four. Game time is slated for 7:05 p.m., with the Bethpage Ballpark gates opening at 6:05. Following the game, all fans in attendance will be treated to a Grucci Fireworks Extravaganza. Right-hander John Brownell gets the start for the Ducks against Blue Crabs righty Nick Green.
Tickets for the game and all Ducks home playoff games are available by visiting the Bethpage Ballpark box office, calling 631-940-TIXX or visiting www.liducks.com. Fans unable to make the game can follow all the action live on the radio at MyCountry 96.1 FM and online at LIDucks.com by clicking the Watch Live icon on the homepage. Streaming video and audio will be provided by iBN, the Internet Broadcast Network.
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Duck Tales: Matt Esquivel’s solo homer came in his first at-bat of the postseason, and was the Ducks’ second home run of the playoffs. It was also his first longball since going deep on August 31 at York, a span of 18 games…Ray Navarrete’s RBI double in the fifth inning was his first double and first extra-base hit of the playoffs. The seven-year Duck set an Atlantic League record this season with 50 doubles and a franchise record with 68 extra-base hits…The Ducks got another solid start in the series, as Bob Zimmermann allowed just one run in five innings of work. In the three games, Ducks starters have allowed just four runs in 19 innings (1.89 ERA) while striking out 23 batters.
GAME DATE: 09/28/2012 Southern Maryland Blue Crabs 7 AT Long Island Ducks 5 YTD YTD S Maryland AB R H BI AVG L Island AB R H BI AVG J.Owens CF 6 0 1 0 .133 T.Perez DH 5 0 2 2 .400 M.Daniel RF 2 3 0 0 .125 J.Brodin RF 4 1 1 0 .333 B.Barton LF 2 2 2 0 .556 R.Navarrete 2B 2 0 1 1 .200 C.Benjamin 2B 1 0 0 0 .000 B.Sing 1B 4 1 1 0 .333 J.Gutierrez 1B 2 1 1 3 .375 B.Nelson 3B 4 1 0 0 .167 M.Padgett 3B 4 1 0 1 .100 M.Esquivel LF 5 1 2 1 .400 R.Mercado C 5 0 1 1 .167 K.Binick CF 4 0 1 0 .182 C.Nicolas DH 5 0 1 1 .091 D.Lyons SS 4 1 0 0 .200 K.Rios SS 4 0 2 0 .273 J.Johnson C 2 0 1 0 .500 M.Canham C,PH 0 0 0 0 .333 31 7 8 6 34 5 9 4 S Maryland 0 0 0 0 1 0 4 2 0 - 7 8 2 L Island 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 2 1 - 5 9 2 2B--J.Gutierrez (1), K.Rios (1), R.Navarrete (1), M.Esquivel (1). HR--M.Esquivel (1). RBI--J.Gutierrez 3 (4), M.Padgett (1), R.Mercado (2), C.Nicolas (1), T.Perez 2 (2), R.Navarrete (2), M.Esquivel (1). HP--M.Daniel (1), J.Gutierrez (1), M.Padgett (1), R.Navarrete (1), B.Sing (1). SF--J.Gutierrez (1). SH--C.Benjamin 2 (0). SB--B.Barton (1), D.Lyons (1). CS--K.Binick (1). E--J.Gutierrez (2), M.Padgett (2), B.Sing 2 (3). LOB--S Maryland 12, L Island 12. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA S Maryland G.Hernandez 4.0 4 2 2 4 1 1 4.50 C.Manning (W,1-0) 2.2 2 0 0 0 2 0 0.00 E.Morlan 0.0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0.00 K.Hart 0.2 0 1 1 2 1 0 13.50 J.Warden 0.2 1 1 1 1 1 0 13.49 C.Mobley (S,1) 1.0 2 1 1 0 0 0 9.00 9 9 5 5 8 5 1 L Island B.Zimmermann 5.0 3 1 1 6 4 0 1.80 C.Hayes 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 E.Niesen (L,0-1) 0.1 1 4 2 1 0 0 26.99 J.Lansford 0.2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 N.DeBarr 0.1 1 2 2 2 0 0 54.05 J.Lansford 0.2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0.00 C.Graham 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.00 9 8 7 5 9 5 0 WP--G.Hernandez 3 (3), C.Mobley (1). HB--G.Hernandez (1), C.Mobley (1), B.Zimmermann (1), E.Niesen 2 (2). SO--M.Daniel, M.Padgett 2, R.Mercado 2, T.Perez 2, J.Brodin, M.Esquivel, D.Lyons. BB--M.Daniel 2, B.Barton 3, C.Benjamin 2, J.Gutierrez, K.Rios, J.Brodin, R.Navarrete 2, B.Nelson, K.Binick, D.Lyons, J.Johnson, M.Canham. BF--G.Hernandez 21 (21), C.Manning 8 (12), E.Morlan (5), K.Hart 4 (8), J.Warden 4 (4), C.Mobley 6 (6), B.Zimmermann 25 (25), C.Hayes 3 (3), E.Niesen 5 (6), J.Lansford 4 (8), N.DeBarr 4 (4), J.Lansford 2 (2), C.Graham 3 (3). P-S--G.Hernandez 78-37, C.Manning 32-20, E.Morlan 6-2, K.Hart 23-9, J.Warden 13-6, C.Mobley 21-11, B.Zimmermann 106-57, C.Hayes 15-9, E.Niesen 20-7, J.Lansford 12-8, N.DeBarr 18-7, J.Lansford 7-4, C.Graham 11-7. T--3:57. A--5704 Umpires: Plate Ump - Hank Himmanen, Field Ump #1 - Eric Diaz, Field Ump #2 - Matt Beaver, Field Ump #3 - Chase Edmondson