(Central Islip, N.Y., July 3, 2024) – The Long Island Ducks were defeated by the Charleston Dirty Birds 8-5 on Wednesday night in the middle game of a three-game series before a past-capacity crowd of 6,834 at Fairfield Properties Ballpark.
Jackie Bradley Jr.’s solo home run to center field off Dirty Birds starter Kevin Smith and Aaron Antonini’s RBI single to right field gave the Ducks a 2-0 first inning lead. Bradley Jr. added an RBI single through the right side in the second to make it a 3-0 game.
Chance Sisco cranked a solo homer to right-center, and Zach Racusin added an RBI fielder’s choice in the third to run the Ducks lead to five. Charleston got on the scoreboard in the fourth on Keon Barnum’s RBI single to left field off Ducks starter Wei-Yin Chen. Phillip Ervin’s RBI double and Delino Deshields’ RBI single in the seventh closed the gap to 5-3.
The Dirty Birds then struck for four runs in the eighth to take a 7-5 lead. Barnum’s solo homer to right, Ervin’s RBI double to left and Deshields’ RBI single to right highlighted the inning. An RBI double in the ninth by Willy Garcia rounded out the scoring.
Neither starter factored into the decision. Chen tossed six innings of one-run ball, allowing five hits and two walks while striking out six. Smith also pitched six innings, conceding five runs on nine hits with three strikeouts. Gerald Ogando (1-1) picked up the win with a scoreless seventh inning, striking out two. Wladimir Pinto (1-1) took the loss, surrendering three runs (two earned) on three hits in one-third of an inning. Mason Fox earned his second save of the season with a 1-2-3 ninth inning.
Bradley Jr. led the Ducks offensively with three hits, two RBIs and a run. Antonini added two hits and an RBI, while Jaylyn Williams recorded two hits and a run.
The Ducks and Dirty Birds wrap up their three-game set on Thursday 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). Following the game, all fans in attendance will be treated to a Fireworks Spectacular, presented by Catholic Health. It’s also a Tex’s Chicken and Burgers Thursday, and Ducks staff members will be handing out coupons for a special offer from Tex’s as fans exit the ballpark. It’s a Thirsty Thursday as well, and fans can enjoy a special buy one, get one free offer on Fountain Hard Seltzer during the game. Right-hander Stephen Woods Jr. (3-3, 5.88) toes the rubber for the Ducks against Dirty Birds southpaw Mack Lemieux (1-3, 5.10).
Tickets for the game, and all Ducks games, are available 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 live on FloBaseball by CLICKING HERE.
The Ducks are in their 24th season of play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at Fairfield Properties Ballpark in Central Islip, N.Y. They are the all-time leader in wins and attendance in Atlantic League history, led all MLB Partner Leagues in attendance in 2023, and have sold out a record 709 games all-time. For further information, visit LIDucks.com or call 631-940-DUCK (3825).
About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
Celebrating its third decade, the Atlantic League is Major League Baseball’s first Professional Partner League, a player gateway to the major leagues, and a leader in baseball innovation. Over its 25-year history, the ALPB has sent over 1,400 players to MLB organizations while drawing over 47 million fans to its family-friendly ballparks. Please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.
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