CENTRAL ISLIP, NY - In about a month from now, the Ducks will likely be playing in the postseason while the Bluefish prepare to head home for the winter. But while last night’s error-filled game probably won’t do much to affect the final North Division standings, it provided another lesson about defensive miscues that usually precipitates a defeat.

For the second time in the three-game series, the Ducks spotted Bridgeport extra outs. Not surprisingly, the Atlantic League’s highest-scoring team capitalized on the generosity, as the Bluefish plated three unearned runs while winning, 6-3, at Citibank Park.

The Ducks tied a season-high by committing five errors, including three in the third inning to drop the rubber match in the last regular season meeting between the two clubs. Despite the poor fielding, they still picked up a half-game on Newark for first place. That lead was extended to six games after the Bears lost both ends of a doubleheader earlier in the evening.

On Monday, the Ducks also sputtered in the field, making four errors as last-place Bridgeport won the opener. The Bluefish still trail their cross-Long Island Sound rivals by 11 games, though they departed Suffolk County by dropping starter John Halama’s ledger to 7-8. If there was one positive manager Dave LaPoint could take out from the showing, it’s that his club won’t have to face the divisional opponent again until 2008.

“We haven’t matched up against them all year,” LaPoint said. “It would have been amazing to win this game and split the series with them. They had our number. But we lost today and gained a half-game on Newark, so things are still good.”

Jay Caligiuri opened the scoring, belting a solo home run to start the second. Sandy DeLeon followed a double with a run-scoring single, pushing another run across. Halama settled down to avoid more damage, getting a fly out and a double play.

The lefty ran into more trouble in the third thanks to three errors in a four-batter span. Dionys Cesar booted a routine grounder, allowing the leadoff man to reach first. After a sacrifice bunt, Pete Rose Jr. flubbed a grounder at first to put runners on the corners with one out instead of retiring the side with a force out.

Bridgeport entered with a league-best 588 runs scored. Jesse Hoorelbeke added to that total by lifting a single to right that Kevin Haverbusch overran. The ball skipped past the outfielder, adding a two-base error to the single as two runners scored. Caligiuri drove in his second run with a sacrifice fly, opening a 5-0 lead.

Mike Crudale’s throwing error in the ninth didn’t lead to a run, though it did mark the third time this season the Ducks were charged with five errors. The opponent the other two times it happened? That’s right, the Bluefish, who took the season series 10-8.

“We’re not going to dwell on it,” LaPoint said. “There are no excuses. We took ground balls [in batting practice] today. We took infield and still kicked a lot of balls. We’ll see what tomorrow brings.”

Halama allowed just two more hits from the fourth through seventh innings. His effort allowed LaPoint to rest the bullpen, as the former Mariner completed eight innings while giving up six runs (three earned).

“He did a lot of work this week fine-tuning his mechanics. He really pitched strong tonight,” LaPoint said. “I think that’s the best outing that he’s thrown the ball the whole year. It’s tough to overcome that many errors with your adrenaline alone, but he sure pitched good.”

Mike Porzio looked to be in for a long night after the Ducks scored in the first by playing small-ball. Dionys Cesar singled and stole second, advancing to third on Bryant Nelson’s groundout. Rose drove him in with another ground out, opening an early lead.

Porzio wouldn’t allow too much more after that, improving to 10-6 by limiting the opponent to three runs in seven innings. The Ducks were on the verge of a big third inning after a double and two consecutive singles brought in Jared Price and put two runners on. Porzio struck out two and induced a fly out to end the threat. Norm Hutchins added a two-out, RBI single in the eighth to provide the final margin.

Notes: The attendance was 6,076….The Ducks start a three-game series at home against Camden tonight….Former Baltimore Oriole Jose Leon signed late Tuesday and made his Ducks debut yesterday. The 6-0, 175-pound right-handed bat went 0-4 but said after the game it will take a few days to get his timing back. He was playing in the recently-concluded Mexican League before LaPoint signed him…After Jose Offerman’s arrest and suspension last week, Leon’s signing give the team six listed infielders…Ray Navarrete did not play. His 17-game hitting streak remained intact….The other two games the Ducks committed five errors occurred May 28th in Bridgeport and the fifth day of August at home. They are 1-2 in those contests.

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