Crabs Claw Ducks To Even Series
Published on September 22, 2011 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Long Island Ducks News Release
(Central Islip, N.Y., Sept. 22, 2011) -The Long Island Ducks were defeated by the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs 8-6 on Thursday night in Game Two of the Liberty Division Championship Series at Bethpage Ballpark. The best of five series is now even at one game apiece.
Southern Maryland jumped on the board early with two runs in the first inning and two in the second inning against Ducks' starter Josh Banks. A RBI double by Travis Garcia and a run-scoring error did the damage in the first while a two-run double from Brian Barton highlighted the second. Three more runs in the third made it a 7-0 game, as Kody Kirkland and Tanner Townsend hit back-to-back homers while Adam Godwin added a RBI double.
The Ducks began a tremendous comeback in their half of the third, plating four runs against Blue Crabs' starter Ben Moore. Kennard Jones' RBI single, a bases-loaded walk to Javier Colina, a RBI fielder's choice by John Rodriguez and a run-scoring error did the damage. Two more runs for Long Island in the sixth made it a one-run game, as Matt Esquivel and Kraig Binick drew bases-loaded walks. However, the Ducks could not pull even.
Moore (1-0) took the victory, allowing six runs (five earned) on six hits while striking out seven in five and one-third innings. Banks (0-1) suffered the loss, surrendering six runs (five earned) on seven hits in two and two-thirds innings. Jim Ed Warden earned the save with a scoreless ninth.
Jones and Binick led the Ducks with two hits at the plate.
The Ducks head to Southern Maryland to continue the Liberty Division Championship Series with Game Three on Friday night. Game time is set for 7:05 PM from Regency Furniture Stadium. Bob Zimmermann takes the mound for Long Island against Southern Maryland's David Trahan.
Fans can follow all the action live on the radio at MyCountry 96.1 FM, with Michael Polak calling the play-by-play. The game can also be heard online at www.liducks.com by clicking the Listen Live icon on the homepage.
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Duck Tales: This is the third time in Ducks' playoff history that Long Island has had a series tied at one apiece. The Ducks were tied with Nashua 1-1 in the 2004 North Division Championship Series before they went on to win the series 2-1 and take the Atlantic League title against Camden. Long Island lost the NDCS to Nashua the following season two games to oneWith a two-run win for the Blue Crabs, the Ducks have now had 16 of the 20 games they have played against the Blue Crabs this season decided by three runs or lessBinick continued his hot hitting against Southern Maryland with two more hits in the game. The outfielder hit .365 this season against the Blue CrabsDespite the loss, the Ducks are still 8-5 all-time in playoff games at home.
Atlantic League Stories from September 22, 2011
- Revs Take 2-0 Series Lead - York Revolution
- Crabs Claw Ducks To Even Series - Long Island Ducks
- Barnstormers Pushed To The Brink - Lancaster Stormers
- Crabs Roast Ducks - Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
- Hondo Is a Hound: the Loudoun Hounds Welcome Frank Howard - Loudoun Hounds
- Playoff Baseball Returns to Lancaster - Lancaster Stormers
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