Navarrete sizzles into record books as Ducks beat Bears
Published on June 8, 2008 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Long Island Ducks News Release
(Central Islip, N.Y., June 7, 2008) - Ray Navarrete had the greatest offensive game in Long Island Ducks history, and the Ducks defeated the Newark Bears on Sunday 13-6 before a sellout crowd of 6,051 at Citibank Park.
With temperatures soaring in the 90's, Navarrete was the hottest person in the ballpark, going 4-for-4 at the plate. Through his first three at-bats, he had clubbed two home runs and driven home five. As his came to the plate in the seventh inning with two men on, the outfielder had a chance to do what no player in the history of the franchise had done before. On a three-ball, two-strike pitch, Navarrete became the first Duck to hit three homers in one game, and simultaneously set a new single-game record with eight runs batted in. The announcement of the accomplishment an inning later drew a standing ovation from the sold out ballpark, while the man of the hour leaned humbly against the railing on the top step of the home dugout.
Alex Sanchez added to the offensive outburst with a 4-for-5 effort, connecting for a triple and three RBI. Estee Harris had three hits and scored two runs. Newark was paced by Val Majewski, who blasted his sixth home run of the season.
Steve Kent (3-2) picked up his second win in as many outings, pitching six and two-thirds innings while giving up five runs - four earned - on just five hits with five strikeouts. Matt Sweeney (1-5) took the loss for the Bears, going six innings and allowing nine runs on 13 hits. After Ryan Knippschild delivered the final out of the seventh inning in relief of Kent, Todd Williams pitched the final two innings to close out the ballgame.
Following a day off, the Ducks head on the road for six games beginning Tuesday night in Southern Maryland. The Ducks visit the Blue Crabs for three games and then travel to Newark for a weekend matchup with the Bears. Fans can keep tabs on their hometown team throughout the road trip by tuning into the Ducks Radio Network. Tuesday's contest against Southern Maryland begins at 7:05 p.m., with the Capital One Bank Pregame beginning at 6:50 p.m., exclusively on www.liducks.com. Ducks radio voice Chris King will have the call of all the action.
The Ducks return home on Monday, June 15, to open a seven-game homestand against the Lancaster Barnstormers. The first pitch is at 6:35 p.m., and gates open at 5:35 p.m. The Ducks will celebrate Long Island's dads with a Father's Day Giveaway, presented by Plesser's. Tickets to the game and all upcoming Ducks home games are available at the Citibank Park Box Office, by calling (631) 940-TIXX, or by logging onto www.liducks.com and clicking on the tickets icon at the top of the page.
The Long Island Ducks play their home games at Citibank Park and are in their ninth season of play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. For further information, visit www.liducks.com, or call (631) 940-3825.
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