Ducks take two from the Skeeters as they extend their winning streak to nine
(Central Islip, N.Y., Sept. 7, 2019) – The Long Island Ducks defeated the Sugar Land Skeeters in a single admission doubleheader on Saturday evening at Bethpage Ballpark, winning game one 6-4 and then taking game two 6-5.
The Skeeters got on the board early in game one, plating four runs in the top of the first. A two-run triple from Denis Phipps and a two-run home run to left-center field off the bat of D.J. Peterson did the damage. However, that would be all the scoring Sugar Land would get, as Ducks starter Brandon Beachy did not allow another run for the rest of his outing, including a stretch of retiring 11 straight batters.
A three-run inning in the home half of the second brought Long Island to within a run. The inning was highlighted by Ramon Cabrera’s RBI double, a run-scoring fielder’s choice from D’Arby Myers and an RBI infield single by Rey Fuentes. The Flock rounded out the scoring with a two-run homer to right in the fourth, launched by Fuentes, and an RBI single off the bat of L.J. Mazzilli.
Beachy (5-0) picked up the win for Long Island, tossing six innings, allowing four runs (one earned) on five hits and a walk, while striking out five batters. Skeeters starter Carlos Pimentel (6-2) was tagged with the loss after pitching six innings, yielding six runs on 10 hits and one walk with three strikeouts. Cody Mincey threw a scoreless seventh inning, surrendering two hits and striking out two.
Similar to game one, Sugar Land took an early lead in game two with a leadoff home run by Wynton Bernard in the opening frame. However, the Ducks had answer in the bottom of the inning when Mazzilli laced a two-run single to center, giving Long Island a 2-1 lead. The Flock extended their lead to 6-1 with a Myers sacrifice fly in the second, an RBI single to right from Hector Sanchez and sacrifice fly to left by Deibinson Romero in the third, and a Daniel Fields RBI single in the fifth.
The Skeeters put together a four-run top of the seventh inning featuring an RBI double by Bernard, a run-scoring single from Juan Silverio, a run coming in on a double play and a fielding error. Sugar Land had the game-tying and go-ahead runs on base with two outs when pinch hitter Anthony Giansanti lined out to Romero at third.
Ducks starter Seth Simmons (8-8) got the win for Long Island, dealing five innings of one-run ball, allowing three hits and three walks with nine strikeouts. Starting pitcher Troy Scribner (6-6) received the loss for Sugar Land after lasting five innings, yielding six runs on 10 hits and three walks, while striking out three batters. Felix Carvallo earned his first save for the Ducks, tossing an inning in relief, surrendering one unearned run on one hit and a walk in the seventh inning.
Mazzilli led Long Island offensively in the double header, going 5-7 with three RBIs and a run scored.
The Ducks and Skeeters wrap up their three-game set on Sunday afternoon. Game time is slated for 1:35 p.m., with the Bethpage Ballpark gates opening at 12:35 (12:20 for full season ticket holders). The first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive 20th Anniversary Ducks Can Koozies, courtesy of AARP. It’s also a Sunday Family Funday at the ballpark, presented by Bethpage Federal Credit Union. Prior to the game, fans will be invited onto the field for an autograph session with the Ducks from 12:50 to 1:05 p.m. After the game, kids and kids at heart can take part in Kids Run the Bases. Right-hander Joe Iorio (5-3, 2.79) toes the rubber for the Ducks against Skeeters righty Dallas Beeler (8-7, 3.87).
Tickets to the game, and all Ducks home games, can be purchased by visiting the 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 video and audio will be available via BoxCast on LIDucks.com, Facebook Live and the Ducks official YouTube channel.
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)
With eight teams in the Mid-Atlantic and Texas, 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 900 players to MLB organizations while drawing more than 40 million fans to its affordable, family-friendly ballparks throughout its 22-year history.
For more information, please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.
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