Late Rallies Send Ducks to Heartbreaking Loss
September 19, 2015 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Long Island Ducks News Release
Randy Ruiz Scores for the Long Island Ducks
(Long Island Ducks)
(Lancaster, Penn., Sept. 19, 2015) - The Long Island Ducks were defeated by the Lancaster Barnstormers 8-7 in 10 innings on Saturday night in the third game of a four-game series at Clipper Magazine Stadium.
The Ducks got off to a fast start, as Randy Ruiz hit a three-run home run to center field in the first inning off of Barnstormers starter Chad Beck. Kevin Rivers cut the Ducks' lead to 3-1 in the second with a solo homer to right off of Ducks starter Bobby Blevins.
It stayed that way until the sixth inning when Elmer Reyes' run-scoring groundout and Fehlandt Lentini's two-out RBI double increased Long Island's advantage to 5-1. The Ducks held the lead until the ninth when Lancaster scored four times off of Amalio Diaz to tie the game. A bases loaded walk to Zach Collier, a run-scoring groundout by Rivers and a two-run single by Charlie Cutler did the damage.
Reyes put the Ducks back in front in the 10th with a two-run homer to right-center. However, three more runs for the 'Stormers in the bottom of the frame ended the ballgame. Luke Hughes' RBI double and a two-run single by Rivers gave Lancaster the win.
Neither starter factored into the decision. Blevins tossed five innings of one-run ball, allowing just two hits and two walks while striking out four. Beck gave up four runs on nine hits and three walks in five and one-third innings. Scott Gracey (5-0) picked up the win despite allowing two runs on two hits in one inning of relief. Mariel Checo (0-1) suffered the loss, yielding three runs on two hits and two walks in two-thirds of an inning.
Reyes and Ruiz led the Flock at the plate, going 3-for-5 with a home run, three RBI and a run scored each.
Long Island and Lancaster wrap up their four-game set and the 2015 regular season on Sunday afternoon. Game time is slated for 1:00 p.m. from Clipper Magazine Stadium. Right-hander Bruce Kern gets the ball for the Ducks against Barnstormers righty Shunsuke Watanabe. Fans can follow all of the action live on the Ducks' official YouTube channel. Streaming audio will be available online.
The Ducks will return home to host Games One and Two of the best-of-five Liberty Division Championship Series against the Somerset Patriots on Wednesday, September 23 and Thursday, September 24. Game time for both contests is slated for 6:35 p.m. The first 1,000 fans in attendance at each game will receive "Drive to the Title" Rally Towels, courtesy of News 12. Prior to each game, the Ducks will be hosting a food drive in conjunction with Island Harvest Food Bank. Fans are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items by dropping them off in the collection bins located on the plaza outside the ballpark. Tickets to each playoff game are available by visiting the Bethpage Ballpark box office, calling (631) 940-TIXX.
Images from this story
 Randy Ruiz Scores for the Long Island Ducks |
Atlantic League Stories from September 19, 2015
- Late Rallies Send Ducks to Heartbreaking Loss - Long Island Ducks
- Perez Honored as Team Player of the Year, Rises to the Occasion in Big Win over Patriots - York Revolution
- Blue Crabs Fall Down Early and Lose to Bluefish - Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
- Bluefish Snap Three Game Skid With Victory Over Blue Crabs - Bridgeport Bluefish
- Skeeters Sticks Go Cold in Setback with Riversharks - Sugar Land Space Cowboys
- Burgess's Team Leading 15th Homer Not Enough as Patriots Fall to Revs 11-6 - Somerset Patriots
- Wallace, Loop Honored by Skeeters - Sugar Land Space Cowboys
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.
