Sixth inning slam leads Long Island to second consecutive victory
(Central Islip, N.Y., July 7, 2018) – The Long Island Ducks defeated the Sugar Land Skeeters 7-5 on Saturday night in the middle game of a three-game series at Bethpage Ballpark.
Matt Chavez opened the scoring in the first inning with a solo home run to left field off Ducks starter Tyler Badamo. Dan Lyons answered in the bottom of the third with a two-run homer to left off Skeeters starter Kraig Sitton.
It stayed that way until the top of the sixth when Sugar Land tied the game on a two-out RBI single to center by Albert Cordero. However, a mammoth grand slam to right field by David Washington in the bottom of the frame put the Ducks on top 6-2.
The Skeeters closed to within 6-5 in the seventh on a sacrifice fly to center by Derek Norris and a two-run homer to left by Courtney Hawkins. They would get no closer though, and Lew Ford’s sac fly to center in the bottom of the inning rounded out the scoring.
Sitton did not factor into the decision but allowed two runs on two hits over four innings. Badamo (3-5) earned the win, tossing six innings of two-run ball, allowing seven hits and one walk while striking out four. Ben Rowen (3-1) took the loss, surrendering four runs (three earned) on three hits in two innings. Francisco Rodriguez picked up his 14th save with a scoreless ninth inning.
Lyons led the Flock offensively with two hits, two RBIs and two runs scored.
The Ducks and Skeeters wrap up their three-game set on Sunday evening. Game time is slated for 5:05 p.m., with the Bethpage Ballpark gates opening at 4:05 (3:50 for full season ticket holders). It’s a Sunday Family Funday at the ballpark! Prior to the game, fans will be invited onto the field for an autograph session with the Ducks from 4:20 to 4:35. After the game, kids and kids at heart can take part in Kids Run the Bases, presented by Bethpage Federal Credit Union. Left-hander Bennett Parry (5-1, 2.87) toes the rubber for the Ducks against Skeeters southpaw Ben Griset (2-2, 4.86).
Tickets to the game, and all 2018 Ducks home games, are available by visiting the Bethpage Ballpark box office, calling (631) 940-TIXX or CLICKING HERE. Those unable to make it to 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 the Ducks official Facebook page, YouTube channel and at LIDucks.com.
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 38 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 900 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.
For more information, please visit www.atlanticleague.com.
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Game Date: 07/07/2018 Sugar Land Skeeters 5 AT Long Island Ducks 7 YTD YTD Sugar Land AB R H BI AVG L Island AB R H BI AVG Barnes, B CF,RF 3 1 0 0 .261 Valdespin, J 2B 4 0 1 0 .358 Chavez, M 1B 5 1 2 1 .331 Ford, L DH 3 1 0 1 .273 Norris, D C 3 0 1 1 .264 Snider, T RF 4 1 1 0 .278 Hawkins, C LF 4 1 2 2 .264 Ard, T 1B 4 1 1 0 .280 Giansanti, A CF 3 1 1 0 .288 Washington, D LF 4 1 1 4 .222 Betancourt, 2B,PH 1 0 0 0 .192 Cabrera, R C 4 0 1 0 .232 Walsh, C 2B,RF 4 0 1 0 .273 Puckett, C 3B 4 0 1 0 .226 Cordero, A 3B 4 0 1 1 .280 Vega, A CF 3 1 0 0 .225 Phipps, D DH 4 0 0 0 .262 Lyons, D SS 3 2 2 2 .206 Rondon, A SS 4 1 1 0 .282 35 5 9 5 33 7 8 7 Sugar Land 1 0 0 0 0 1 3 0 0 - 5 9 1 L Island 0 0 2 0 0 4 1 0 x - 7 8 0 2B--Walsh, C 2B,RF (10). HR--Chavez, M 1B (5), Hawkins, C LF (13), Washington, D LF (9), Lyons, D SS (2). RBI--Chavez, M 1B (39), Norris, D C (29), Hawkins, C LF 2 (47), Cordero, A 3B (32), TOTALS 5 (0), Ford, L DH (41), Washington, D LF 4 (32), Lyons, D SS 2 (19), TOTALS 7 (0). SF--Norris, D C (1), Ford, L DH (3). SB--Barnes, B CF,RF (8), Giansanti, A CF (12), Valdespin, J 2B (14), Vega, A CF (10). E--Rondon, A SS (16). LOB--Sugar Land 7, L Island 3. YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA Sugar Land Sitton, K 4.0 2 2 2 0 1 1 4.19 Rowen, B (L,3-1) 2.0 3 4 3 0 1 1 4.50 Runzler, D 2.0 3 1 1 0 5 0 4.26 8 8 7 6 0 7 2 L Island Badamo, T (W,3-5) 6.0 7 2 2 1 4 1 4.50 Tolliver, A 0.2 2 3 3 1 0 1 5.40 OGrady, D 0.1 0 0 0 0 1 0 3.54 Murray, C 1.0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2.08 Rodriguez, F (S,14) 1.0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2.14 9 9 5 5 3 8 2 WP--Sitton, K (2). SO--Barnes, B, Norris, D, Giansanti, A, Betancourt, J, Walsh, C, Cordero, A, Phipps, D 2, Ford, L, Snider, T, Ard, T, Washington, D, Puckett, C, Vega, A 2. BB--Barnes, B 2, Norris, D. BF--Sitton, K 15 (146), Rowen, B 10 (69), Runzler, D 9 (114), Badamo, T 26 (52), Tolliver, A 5 (107), OGrady, D (122), Murray, C 3 (36), Rodriguez, F 4 (85). P-S--Sitton, K 45-32, Rowen, B 30-23, Runzler, D 29-24, Badamo, T 92-62, Tolliver, A 20-11, OGrady, D 4-3, Murray, C 10-7, Rodriguez, F 20-9. T--2:35. A--7038 Plate Umpire - Kris Engstrand, Field Umpire #1 - Jorge Teran, Field Umpire #2 - Frank Iurilli