Delta Cleary Jr.’s grand slam is difference maker
(Photo courtesy of the Bridgeport Bluefish)
(Bridgeport, Conn., April 15, 2016) – The Long Island Ducks defeated the Bridgeport Bluefish 5-1 on Friday afternoon in the first game of the 2016 spring training schedule.
Both sides traded zeroes until the top of the seventh inning when the Ducks struck for five runs against Bluefish righty Jake Thompson. Blake Barber got the scoring started with a RBI single, and Delta Cleary Jr. followed three batters later with a two-out grand slam.
Bridgeport scratched out their lone run in the bottom of the ninth against Ducks reliever Dan Blewett. A two-out RBI single by Rossmel Perez ended the shutout bid, but that was all the ‘Fish could muster.
Eight pitchers appeared in the game for Long Island. Bruce Kern started and threw a pair of scoreless innings, striking out three, and Jarrett Casey picked up the win after tossing a scoreless sixth inning. Combined, Ducks pitchers yielded just six hits and three walks while striking out eight batters. Bridgeport used six pitchers in the contest. Mike Antonini started lasted four shutout innings, giving up two hits and striking out one. Thompson took the loss after allowing five unearned runs on two hits and a walk in one inning.
Cleary Jr. led the Flock with two hits and four RBI. Barber and Lew Ford also picked up hits for Long Island.
The Ducks continue their spring training schedule on Saturday when they play the back end of a home-and-home series against Bridgeport as part of the team’s Fourth Annual Fan Fest. Game time is slated for 1:00 p.m., and the Bethpage Ballpark gates will open at 10:30 a.m. for fans to enjoy all of the festivities prior to first pitch. Right-hander John Brownell is slated to start for Long Island against Bridgeport righty R.J. Hively.
Long Island will begin the 2016 regular season on Thursday, April 21 when the visit the Somerset Patriots to open a four-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. from TD Bank Ballpark. Following a week-long road trip to start the season, the Ducks will return home on Thursday, April 28 for the 2016 Home Opener against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. 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). The first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive Bud Harrelson Garden Gnomes, courtesy of P.C. Richard and Son. Tickets to the game, and all Ducks home games, are available by visiting the Bethpage Ballpark box office, calling (631) 940-TIXX or CLICKING HERE.
About the Long Island Ducks
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 34 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 800 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 to metropolitan markets serving nearly 15{f7b134541f126dcd33819b5eec9a91dff238b58155023223dba97c27371a7fb5} of the US population.
For more information, please visit www.atlanticleague.com.
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