Bats Lift Ducks to Victory over Blue Crabs
August 15, 2015 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Long Island Ducks News Release
Long Island Ducks Celebrate Mike Blanke's Homer
(Long Island Ducks)
(Central Islip, NY) - The Long Island Ducks defeated the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs 8-6 on Saturday night in the third game of a four-game series at Bethpage Ballpark.
The Blue Crabs opened the scoring in the first on a RBI groundout from Casey Stevenson off Ducks starter Bruce Kern. Long Island responded by taking the lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning. Sean Burroughs' RBI double and Cody Puckett's RBI single put Long Island on top 2-1 against Blue Crabs starter Brian Grening. In the second, Ryan Gebhardt's sacrifice fly made it 3-1 in favor of the Ducks.
Gustavo Molina's RBI single in the third cut the lead to 3-2. In the fifth, Jovan Rosa hit a two-run homer to put the Blue Crabs in front 4-3. Mike Blanke responded with a two-run homer of his own in the sixth, giving the Ducks a 5-4 advantage. Gebhardt's second sacrifice fly in the same inning made it a 6-4 ballgame.
Both teams put up runs in the seventh. Casey Frawley's solo homer off J.C. Romero gave the Crabs one run, but Burroughs' sacrifice fly made it 7-5 Ducks. Zach Wilson made it a one-run ballgame once again with his RBI double in the eighth. However, Fehlandt Lentini's RBI double in the bottom of the inning provided an insurance run before Amalio Diaz completed the win in the ninth.
Nick Struck (4-3) picked up the victory, allowing one hit in an inning of relief in the sixth. Grening (3-7) suffered the loss, giving up six runs (four earned) on eight hits in five and one-third innings of work. He walked none and struck out two. Kern took a no decision, giving up four runs on nine hits in five innings with three walks and seven strikeouts. Ryan Kussmaul struck out two batters to end the eighth and keep the Ducks ahead. Diaz earned his seventh save of the season in the final frame.
Burroughs finished with a pair of hits including a double, two RBI, and one run scored. Puckett, Vega, and Lyons also finished with two hits apiece, with Vega scoring three times.
The Ducks conclude their series on Sunday evening when they play the finale of a four-game series against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. 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 will be a Sunday Family Funday at the Duck Pond! Prior to the game, fans will be invited onto the field for an autograph session with the Ducks from 4:20 to 4:35 p.m. After the game, kids and kids at heart can take part in Kids Run the Bases, presented by Bethpage Federal Credit Union. Sunday will also be an historic day at Bethpage Ballpark! The Ducks will be honoring all-time great Ray Navarrete with a special pre-game ceremony, including the retirement of his #16 jersey. Fans are encouraged to be in their seats immediately following the autograph session to enjoy the festivities. In addition, the first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive a Ray Navarrete Bobblehead, featuring an iconic moment from the 2013 Atlantic League Championship Series, courtesy of Digmi. Right-hander Ian Marshall gets the start for the Ducks against Blue Crabs southpaw Brian Burres.
Images from this story
 Long Island Ducks Celebrate Mike Blanke's Homer |
Atlantic League Stories from August 15, 2015
- Lancaster Topples Sugar Land, 10-6, to Retake Four-Game Lead - Lancaster Stormers
- Bats Lift Ducks to Victory over Blue Crabs - Long Island Ducks
- Skeeters End up on Wrong Side of Slugfest, 10-6 - Sugar Land Space Cowboys
- Blue Crabs Haunted by Runners Left on Base in Loss - Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
- Anderson Earns The Victory In His Bluefish Debut - Bridgeport Bluefish
- Bluefish Play Keep Away, Holding Off Revs In One-Run Decision - York Revolution
- Riversharks Defeat Patriots 9-4 - Somerset Patriots
- Fifth Largest Crowd in Stadium History Views 5-3 Loss - Lancaster Stormers
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
