Two-out, two-run homer in eighth sends Flock to Game Three win
(Central Islip, Sept. 28, 2018) – The Long Island Ducks defeated the Sugar Land Skeeters 3-2 on Friday night in Game Three of the Atlantic League Championship Series at Bethpage Ballpark. The Skeeters now lead the best-of-five series two games to one.
The Skeeters took a 1-0 lead in the first inning following a two-out walk by Matt Chavez and an RBI double by Albert Cordero off Ducks starter Lorenzo Barcelo. An unearned run in the third on Tony Thomas’ two-out RBI double, which came three batters after an inning-opening error, extended the lead to two.
Long Island closed to within a run in the bottom of the third on doubles by Jordany Valdespin and Lew Ford off Skeeters starter Lucas Irvine.
Both teams would then trade zeroes until the bottom of the eighth inning. Ramon Cabrera blooped a double down the right field line with two outs off reliever Dan Runzler. That set the stage for David Washington, who followed with a two-run home run to right-center on a 1-0 pitch.
Neither starter factored into the decision. Barcelo tossed seven innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits and a walk while striking out five batters. Irvine pitched four innings, yielding a run on four hits and two walks with three strikeouts. Carlos Pimentel (1-0) earned the win with a scoreless eighth inning, yielding a hit while striking out one. Runzler (0-1) took the loss, conceding two runs on two hits in one inning while striking out two. Fernando Abad pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his first save of the playoffs, striking out one.
Ford and Cabrera each had two hits to lead the Flock.
The Atlantic League Championship Series will continue on Saturday night with Game Four between the Ducks and Skeeters. 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). Right-hander Dennis O’Grady (6-4, 3.82; 0-0, 3.60) gets the start for the Ducks against Skeeters righty Dallas Beeler (8-2, 2.29; 0-1, 6.00).
Tickets for the game, and all Ducks home playoff games, are on sale now! Fans can purchase their tickets by visiting the Bethpage Ballpark box office, calling (631) 940-TIXX, CLICKING HERE or visiting the Ducks mobile app. Those unable to make 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 40 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 900 players and 70 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: 09/28/2018 Sugar Land Skeeters 2 AT Long Island Ducks 3 YTD YTD Sugar Land AB R H BI AVG L Island AB R H BI AVG Giansanti, A CF 4 0 0 0 .353 Valdespin, J 2B 4 1 1 0 .406 Silverio, J SS 4 1 0 0 .324 Fields, D CF 4 0 0 0 .235 Chavez, M 1B 3 1 2 0 .313 Ford, L LF 4 0 2 1 .314 Cordero, A 3B 4 0 1 1 .258 Cabrera, R DH 4 0 2 0 .379 Thomas, T RF 4 0 1 1 .324 Garcia, R PR 0 1 0 0 .000 Norris, D C 4 0 1 0 .323 Washington, D 1B 4 1 1 2 .200 Barnes, B LF 4 0 2 0 .280 Navarro, D C 3 0 1 0 .250 Phipps, D DH 4 0 1 0 .267 Silva, R RF 3 0 1 0 .185 Rondon, A 2B 3 0 0 0 .192 Puckett, C 3B 2 0 0 0 .222 Lyons, D SS 3 0 1 0 .214 34 2 8 2 31 3 9 3 Sugar Land 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 2 8 0 L Island 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 x - 3 9 1 2B--Cordero, A 3B (3), Thomas, T RF (3), Barnes, B LF (2), Valdespin, J 2B (3), Ford, L LF (2), Cabrera, R DH (2), Silva, R RF (1). HR--Washington, D 1B (4). RBI--Cordero, A 3B (3), Thomas, T RF (11), TOTALS 2 (0), Ford, L LF (7), Washington, D 1B 2 (11), TOTALS 3 (0). E--Puckett, C 3B (1). LOB--Sugar Land 6, L Island 6. DP--J. Valdespin(2B) - D. Lyons(SS), A. Rondon(2B) - J. Silverio(SS) - M. Chavez(1B), D. Lyons(SS) - L. Barcelo(P) - D. Washington(1B), J. Silverio(SS) - M. Chavez(1B). YTD IP H R ER BB SO HR ERA Sugar Land Irvine, L 4.0 4 1 1 2 3 0 2.89 Harman, C 2.0 2 0 0 0 1 0 1.13 De Leon, J 1.0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0.00 Runzler, D (L,0-1) 1.0 2 2 2 0 2 1 5.40 8 9 3 3 2 7 1 L Island Barcelo, L 7.0 6 2 1 1 5 0 4.15 Pimentel, C (W,1-0) 1.0 1 0 0 0 1 0 5.40 Abad, F (S,1) 1.0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0.00 9 8 2 1 1 7 0 SO--Giansanti, A, Silverio, J, Chavez, M, Thomas, T, Norris, D, Barnes, B, Phipps, D, Fields, D 3, Ford, L, Washington, D, Silva, R, Puckett, C. BB--Chavez, M, Navarro, D, Puckett, C. BF--Irvine, L 18 (41), Harman, C 7 (27), De Leon, J 3 (16), Runzler, D 5 (13), Barcelo, L 28 (55), Pimentel, C 4 (20), Abad, F 3 (15). P-S--Irvine, L 65-41, Harman, C 25-17, De Leon, J 14-9, Runzler, D 20-13, Barcelo, L 84-56, Pimentel, C 18-12, Abad, F 5-5. T--2:27. A--3460 Plate Umpire - Matt Kane, Field Umpire #1 - Tom Gandolfo, Field Umpire #2 - Fred DeJesus, Field Umpire #3 - Tim Rosso