Ducks defeat Surf in longest 9-inning game of the season
Published on July 22, 2002 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Long Island Ducks News Release
(Central Islip, N.Y., July 22, 2002) - In a game that saw 11 pitchers used, 15 walks and took a season-long 3:41, the Ducks outlasted the Atlantic City Surf, 7-6 for their fifth consecutive win. The victory raised the Ducks second half record to 8-3, two games ahead of second place Bridgeport in the North Division.
Atlantic City manager Mitch Williams made the last pitching change of the night, bringing in Craig Mattson with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning to face Edgar Tovar. Tovar made Mattson's stay a short one, blooping a single to right field on the first pitch to drive in Aaron Ledesma and send the Ducks faithful home happy.
Ledesma led off the ninth with a single, his fourth of the game, and moved to second on a passed ball. Doug Jennings flew out to deep center field to move Ledesma to third and the Surf then intentionally walked Francisco Morales and Ryan Balfe to load the bases for Tovar, who delivered the game-winning hit.
Jake Benz picked up his fifth win of the season with 2 1/3 hitless innings of relief. Randi Mallard suffered the loss, dropping to 5-2. Ducks outfielder Mark Whiten broke out of an 0-18 slump with a 2-3 effort, driving in two runs in the Ducks five-run sixth inning. Dave Gibralter also had two hits and two RBI including his sixth home run of the season. Adonis Harrison and Doug Jennings also contributed two hits apiece.
The Ducks go for the series sweep on Tuesday night when Brandon Reed (3-0) takes the hill versus Atlantic City's Maximo Nunez (3-2). Game time is 7:05 p.m. and the first 2,500 fans will receive a painters cap courtesy of Benjamin Moore & Co.
Duck Tales: Tonight's win was the Ducks third victory in their last four games that came in their final at-bat.Long Island turned three double plays in the contest.Kyle Kessel and Mark Whiten both made their home debuts this evening for the Ducks.Several members of the New York Islanders were in attendance at Citibank Park tonight, including co-owner Charles Wang, general manager Mike Milbury, and captain Michael Peca, who enjoyed the game with his wife Kristen and young son Trevor.Tonight's crowd of 6263, the 23rd straight sellout, 32nd sellout this season and 151st sellout in franchise history, raised Long Island's league-leading average attendance to 6105. A grand total of 1,111,500 fans have enjoyed Ducks baseball at Citibank Park since April of 2000.
Atlantic League Stories from July 22, 2002
- Gainey, Maness Pace Camden Win - OSC Original by David W. Unkle
- Ducks defeat Surf in longest 9-inning game of the season - Long Island Ducks
- Bluefish Lose to Patriots, 4-2 - Bridgeport Bluefish
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