CENTRAL ISLIP, NY — Racking up runs continues to be a season-long trend for the Ducks against Liberty Division-rival Bridgeport. Unfortunately for the Flock, the Bluefish continue to score at an even greater pace.

Bridgeport once again victimized Ducks pitching, outslugging its opponent for an 8-6 win over the home team last night at Citibank Park. In five meetings this year, the Ducks have surrendered 58 runs. That works out to be more than 11 runs per contest, by far the worse output against any opponent.

The offense has still kept the games competitive, as the Ducks are just 2-3 against the Bluefish. Pete Rose Jr. did his best to ignite a comeback bid, scoring two runs and driving in another. Most of the sell-out crowd of 6,513 stayed for fireworks night and nearly saw a comeback.

“We’re battling and it’s early,” Rose said. “No one is hitting the panic button.”

Down four runs in the bottom of the sixth, Carl Everett came to the plate with the bases loaded lifted a 0-1 pitch deep to right. Braden Florence raced back before settling under the ball on the edge of the warning track, ending the Ducks best rally.

“We had some chances and hit some line drives at people,” acting manager Bud Harrelson said. “I thought overall we were a heck of a lot better than we were last night.”

Unlike Friday’s brutal 15-8 loss, the Ducks did not commit any errors. But they still dropped two games below .500 and at 13-15 trail Camden by six games.

Steve Kent lasted just 4 2/3 innings, getting tagged for 10 hits and seven runs (all earned). In losing the first two games of the series, the starting pitchers have gone a combined six innings to strain an undermanned bullpen that lost closer Joe Valentine when he was signed to the Phillies Triple-A affiliate earlier in the evening.

Florence started Bridgeport’s first-inning rally, singling and scoring on Calvin Pickering’s two-run double. Pickering scored on Brian Munhall’s RBI single to cap a three-run outburst. Luis Lopez sent his Atlantic League-leading average skyrocketing past the .400 mark. The second baseman entered batting .395 and went 4-4, adding a walk, two RBIs and two runs scored.

Lopez finished a home run short of the cycle, singling home Henry Mateo and scoring on Pickering’s sacrifice fly in a three-run fifth that chased Kent and provided Bluefish starter Tim Drew (3-1) enough cushion to pick up the victory.

“If we could figure out a way to get Luis Lopez out, we’d be OK,” Harrelson said. “This is a very tough offensive ball club. They’re tough. We’re a little beat up and we got guys we had to rest.”

Rose scored twice in the first three innings, chipping at the Bluefish lead. Jamie Pogue capped a two-run third, plating Rose on a RBI single. Pogue doubled and scored in the seventh and Kevin Haverbusch’s ground out scored Ray Navarrete in the eighth before the Ducks ran out of chances. Wes Wilkerson pitched a flawless ninth to pick up his fourth save.

The good news is second baseman Brent Abernathy is expected to return from his rib injury soon and Damian Rolls came off the inactive list and played for the first time since May 10.

“Everything’s going to come around,” Rose said. “As a team, we’re starting to swing the bats. I think it’s just a little rut and some crazy things that haven’t gone our way. Those two guys have been out and they can’t wait to get back in the lineup.”

Bridgeport collected 28 hits the previous two games. Pickering, a near 300-pound designated hitter, knocked in three runs and surprised everyone in the ballpark by stealing second base in the third. Pickering was not held at first and Kent failed to pay attention to him after his single. The lumbering slugger took off and stole the base easily.

Jon Asahina stopped the bleeding, allowing just one run in 3 1/3 relief innings. Jason Simontacchi is still on the inactive list, providing a chance for Asahina to move into the rotation.

“We’re building him [arm strength] because he looks pretty good,” Harrelson said. “He’s young and strong and we may need him as a starter eventually. I thought he handled himself very well out there.”

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