Cross-Sound Rivals Split Twinbill in Bridgeport
July 27, 2014 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Long Island Ducks News Release
(Bridgeport, Conn., July 27, 2014) - The Long Island Ducks split a day/night doubleheader with the Bridgeport Bluefish on Sunday at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard. The Ducks took the opener 12-3 before falling in the nightcap 3-2 in 13 innings.
Both sides traded zeroes until the top of the fourth when the Ducks plated five runs off Bluefish starter Matt Iannazzo. A RBI single by Cody Puckett, a sacrifice fly off the bat of Joash Brodin and a three-run home run by Brandon Bantz did the damage. Bridgeport answered with three runs in the bottom of the frame off Ducks starter Mitch Talbot. A RBI double by Ramon Castro and a two-run homer by Fred Lewis accounted for the runs.
The Ducks responded with four more runs in the fifth on a grand slam to left by Puckett. Dan Lyons' solo homer and Bill Hall's two-run blast in the sixth extended the lead to 12-3.
Talbot (2-1) got the win, tossing five innings, allowing three runs on four hits and a walk while striking out three. Iannazzo (3-4) suffered the loss, surrendering eight runs (seven earned) on seven hits and four walks with two strikeouts in four innings.
Puckett led the Flock with three hits and five RBI, while Hall picked up two hits, two RBI and three runs.
Long Island struck first in game two when Puckett launched a leadoff homer to left field off Bridgeport starter Julio Rodriguez. A solo blast by Bantz in the second inning extended the lead to two. The Bluefish responded in the bottom of the frame with a two-out RBI single by Luis Rodriguez off Ducks starter Bob Zimmermann.
It stayed 2-1 until the bottom of the eighth when Prentice Redman hit a solo home run to left. Both sides remained scoreless until the bottom of the 13th when Juan Martinez won the game with a RBI single to left.
Neither starter factored into the decision. Zimmermann allowed just one run on five hits over six innings of work. Rodriguez tossed five and two-thirds innings, allowing two runs on five hits and four walks with four strikeouts. Joe Bateman (2-3) earned the win with four scoreless innings of relief, and Rob Whitenack (1-3) took the loss, yielding a run on four hits and two walks with three strikeouts in three and two-thirds innings.
Bantz led the Ducks with three hits, while Puckett added two.
The Ducks and Bluefish continue their four-game series on Monday night. Game time is slated for 7:05 p.m. from The Ballpark at Harbor Yard. Right-hander John Brownell get the start for the Ducks against Bluefish southpaw and former Duck Dontrelle Willis. Fans can follow all the action online with live streaming audio available on the Ducks official YouTube channel.
Long Island returns home on Saturday, August 2 to open a three-game series against the York Revolution. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m., with the Bethpage Ballpark gates opening at 6:05. It's Military Appreciation Night at the ballpark! Following the game, all fans in attendance will be treated to a Pyrotecnico Fireworks Extravaganza, presented by Northrop Grumman. Tickets for the game and every Ducks regular season home game are now on sale. Fans can purchase their tickets by visiting the Bethpage Ballpark box office, calling 631-940-TIXX.
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Atlantic League Stories from July 27, 2014
- Crabs Hold on for Road Win - Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
- Bluefish and Ducks Split Doubleheader - Bridgeport Bluefish
- Cross-Sound Rivals Split Twinbill in Bridgeport - Long Island Ducks
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- Barnstormers Clubbed By York - Lancaster Stormers
- Revs Batter Barnstormers For Blowout Win - York Revolution
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