Game one goes to Nashua
Published on September 21, 2004 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Long Island Ducks News Release
(Nashua, NH, September 21, 2004) â The Long Island Ducks were defeated in the team's first-ever playoff game, 3-2, to the Nashua Pride in front of 1,481 fans at Historic Holman Stadium on Tuesday night. The dramatic game ended when Nashua center fielder Carlos Rodriguez made a running catch against the left centerfield wall robbing Rusty McNamara of an extra-base hit with runners on second and third and two outs in the top of the ninth inning.
The game was tight throughout with the first scoring threat coming from Long Island in the top of the third. Kevin Baez led the inning off with a single. Justin Davies followed with a bunt single and he and Baez advanced a base on a throwing error by Pride second baseman Ricardo Cordova. McNamara came to the plate looking to drive in the first run of the ballgame, but a short fly ball to right fielder Raul Rodarte led to Baez being thrown out at the plate trying to tag up from third. Doug Jennings and Kimera Bartee followed the close play at home by walking to load up the bases. With the bases juiced Pat Lennon drove the ball to deep centerfield, but Rodriguez made a great running catch at the wall.
The Pride got on the board in the bottom of the third on a solo home run by catcher Brad King. After a quiet fourth, the Pride tacked on one more run on a bases loaded walk to Glenn Murray scoring Chris Peterson. Nashua scored the run without registering a hit and walking four times in the inning. The Pride added their third and final run in the sixth on a two-out single by James Lofton, chasing Ducks starter Matt Beech. Beech lasted 5.2 innings, allowing five hits, three runs and seven walks while striking out six.
The Ducks rally began in the eighth when Davies led the inning off with a double, McNamara and Bartee followed with infield singles loading the bases. Jennings came through with an RBI single making the score 3-1. With the bases still loaded and nobody out Lennon hit a sacrifice fly scoring McNamara, while Bartee tagged from second. With runners on the corners and two away in a 3-2 ballgame, Pride reliever Terry Pearson threw a wild pitch to Cole Liniak. Bartee attempted to score on the play, but was tagged out by the Pride catcher ending the Long Island threat.
After shutting down the Pride in the bottom of the eighth, the Ducks tried to answer the bell in the ninth. With one out pinch hitter Luis Rodriguez singled. After Andrew Salvo struck out, a Davies walk and a wild pitch put runners on second and third with two outs. McNamara stepped to the plate and blasted a rope to left center, but Rodriguez made another great play at the wall to shut the door on the Ducks.
The Ducks and Pride will meet in Game Two of the Atlantic League North Division Playoffs tomorrow night at 7:05 p.m. Long Island will send lefty Bill Pulsipher to the mound to face Pride starter Brian Looney. The first 3,000 fans in attendance will receive Thunderstix, courtesy of IKEA.
The Long Island Ducks, 2004 first half Atlantic League North Division champions, are in their fifth anniversary season of play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at Citibank Park. They have filled their ballpark to over 100 percent capacity for five consecutive seasons and are one of the most successful minor league franchises in the country. For further information, or for information on obtaining tickets for the 2004 playoffs, please visit www.liducks.com or call (631) 940-3825.
Atlantic League Stories from September 21, 2004
- Game one goes to Nashua - Long Island Ducks
- Pride shoot down Ducks in game one, 3-2 - American Defenders of New Hampshire
- Camden draws first blood, wins playoff opener 8-2 - Camden Riversharks
- Road to the championship begins tonight - Long Island Ducks
- Pride are in the playoffs - American Defenders of New Hampshire
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.
