The Crabs jumped on top early with three runs in the top of the first inning off Ducks’ starter Troy Cate. Patrick Osborn’s RBI sacrifice fly and Michael Tucker’s two-run homer did the damage. Four more runs in the fourth helped Southern Maryland extend their lead to 7-0. RBI doubles by John Ramistella and Mike Just highlighted the inning.

Long Island inched closer with a run in the fourth and two more in the fifth off Crabs’ starter John Halama. Johnny Hernandez’ RBI single in the fourth and two errors in the fifth pushed the score to 7-3.

The Ducks rallied in the ninth, plating two runs on a Ray Navarrete single and brought the winning run to the plate in Raul Gonzalez. With Franklin Gracesqui summoned from the bullpen, the lefty struck out Gonzalez and nailed down the save.

John Halama (2-0) picked up the win, firing seven and two-thirds innings, yielding one earned run, while punching out eight. Cate (0-2) suffered the loss surrendering seven runs in three and one-third innings.

The loss ends another successful season for the Long Island Ducks. The Flock once again enjoyed the best attendance in the league, with an average of 6,014 fans packing 6,002-seat Citibank Park each night. The Ducks finished with an overall record of 74-66, and went 40-30 on their home field. Long Island clinched the second half Liberty Division title, becoming the only team in Atlantic League history to qualify for the playoffs six years in a row.

The Long Island Ducks will be back in 2010, ready to bring the fans and families of Long Island the best, most affordable summer family entertainment around. The Ducks sincerely thank each and every fan for their support this season, and look forward to sharing another great season next year. Stay tuned to www.liducks.com throughout the off-season for all the latest news from Citibank Park, including community appearances and 20010 ticket plans.

“We’re going to take this,” Manon said after picking up the win in the Ducks 15-5 victory in Game 4 that tied the first-round series at 2-2. “There ain’t pressure on us. They got the pressure. They won two games in a row and thought it was over.”

Manon’s words were more tongue-in-cheek than a bravado-infused guarantee. But the right-hander did his part to help the Ducks stave off elimination for a second straight day. Manon allowed just five hits and four runs (three earned) in six innings at Citibank Park.

The Ducks will now send staff ace Troy Cate to face Southern Maryland’s John Halama in Game 5. Halama out-dueled Cate in a 1-0 Blue Crabs’ Game 1 victory. After losing a pair of one-run games to open the postseason in Southern Maryland, the Ducks have won two straight at home and can clinch the series in front of its home fans with another victory.

“With the series tied, we obviously have home-field advantage,” manager Gary Carter said. “John Halama was tough against us in Game 1 and he’s been tough against us all year.

“All I can say is we have to keep battling and hopefully Troy Cate will be on like he was in Game 1 as well.”

The Ducks’ offense took pressure of Manon by exploding for five first-inning runs and posting a five-run fourth inning to stymie any chance of a Southern Maryland comeback attempt. Brooklyn native Johnny Hernandez keyed the offensive explosion, going 2-5 with four RBIs and two runs scored as the Ducks recorded 20 hits.

Blue Crabs’ starter Ryan Bicondoa allowed the first five Ducks to reach base and score. Following a walk and two singles, George Lombard lined a RBI single to open the scoring. Hernandez followed with a key two-run single to center that was even more devastating for the Blue Crabs when Jeremy Owens misplayed the ball, allowing Lombard to score all the way from first on the error. John Pachot then added the first of his two sacrifice flies to hand Manon a 5-0 lead after one inning.

“That was a big-time relief right there,” said Manon.

Former major leaguer Michael Tucker put the Blue Crabs back in the game with his one-out RBI single in the fourth inning. Tucker’s hit also put two runners on base for Cesar Nicolas, who drilled Manon’s pitch deep to left for a three-run home run that cut the Ducks’ edge to 5-4.

But the Ducks responded in the bottom of the inning by putting up another five-spot. The club sent 10 men to the plate in batting around for the second time in just four innings. Bicondoa (0-1) gave up three straight singles before Mike James entered in relief. James didn’t fare better, also allowing three straight base hits.

“If we kept a one-run lead, it would have been tough,” Manon said about the additional run support. “It would have been more pressure [on] the hitters and the pitchers.”

Hernandez took advantage of another bases-loaded chance, nearly missing a grand slam when his booming shot hit off the centerfield wall for a two-run double. Estee Harris followed with a run-scoring double and Pachot’s sacrifice fly capped the scoring to extend the lead to 10-4.

“I would imagine it took the wind out of their sails,” Carter said. “All of a sudden they were thinking they were right back in it but then when we come back and score another five…”

Every Duck except Pachot, who tallied two RBIs, logged one base hit by the fourth inning.  Pachot added an eighth-inning single while Alex Prieto contributed two hits off the bench.

“Whenever you can jump on top early,” Hernandez said, “that’s exactly what you want to do and we did it.”

Francia smacked Southern Maryland’s Mac Suzuki’s eight-inning fastball into centerfield for a two-out, two-run single. Ray Navarrete followed with RBI single to left to help the Ducks avoid elimination with a 7-4 victory in Game 3 of the Liberty Division Championship Series. The Ducks still trail the best-of-five set, 2-1, but will look to pull even against the Blue Crabs  Sunday.

Francia had been 0-13 in the series before pouncing on Suzuki’s offering. His single scored George Lombard and Johnny Hernandez to break a 4-all tie and send most of the 4,739 at Citibank Park into a frenzy. The Ducks will also play Game 4 at home and again in the elimination game Tuesday if necessary.

“I was looking fastball,” Francia said. “He finally threw it. I was looking for a fastball inside and [looking] to keep my hands inside the ball. I did that and I got the hit.”

Francia’s single keyed the Ducks’ four-run eighth inning that erased Southern Maryland’s one-run lead. It also snapped a 10-game postseason losing streak as the Ducks won a playoff game for the first time since 2005. The base hit allowed Francia a chance at redemption.

“I was trying to do too much the last few games,” Francia said. “I wasn’t seeing the ball very good.”

Francia said he changed his approach against Suzuki, who closed out the Blue Crabs’ two wins in Southern Maryland to start the series.

“I was relaxed and I said to myself, ‘this is it right here. This is going to be a big at-bat for me,’” he said.

The Ducks were four outs away from getting knocked out of the Atlantic League playoff’s first-round for the fifth consecutive season. Southern Maryland entrusted former major leaguer Franklyn Gracesqui to bridge the gap to Suzuki. But the ex-Marlins’ lefthander walked Gonzalez to lead off the inning before allowing a base hit. Johnny Hernandez smacked another single to left to plate Raul Gonzalez with the tying run.

Alex Prieto tried to sacrifice the runners with a bunt yet reached on a single when the Blue Crabs couldn’t make the play. That ended Gracesqui’s evening after he failed to retire all four batters he faced. The southpaw took the loss in giving up four runs.

Suzuki nearly escaped the bases-loaded, no-out jam with the tie intact. The right-hander struck out Rob Sandora and forced ninth-hitting Matt Cavagnaro to pop out before Francia came through.

“It’s going to give him a huge boost,” manager Gary Carter said about Francia’s confidence.

Levittown native Randy Leek struggled at the start, allowing Southern Maryland to score twice in the first inning. Travis Garcia lined the left-hander’s pitch into left for a RBI single to open the scoring before Jeremy Owens added a sacrifice fly.

The Ducks battled back thanks to Cavagnaro’s contributions. The Bay Shore native hit a home run in Game 2 and added a RBI single in the second and a sacrifice fly in the fourth to help the Ducks tie the game and ignite a struggling lineup from the bottom of the order.

Navarrete, the Ducks MVP who set seven offensive franchise record this season, drilled his first postseason home run this year to put the home team ahead, 3-2, in the fifth.

Carter left Leek, who pitched 6 2/3 innings of five-hit ball, in the game to start the seventh and John Ramistella pulled a one-out solo home run to left to tie it. Southern Maryland took the 4-3 lead when Cesar Nicolas drove in Garcia with a RBI single through the left side off Ducks’ reliever Jim Brower. Garcia had reached on an error at third with two outs, ending Leek’s outing one batter before Garcia scored the unearned run.

“There’s no question Randy has been outstanding at home,” Carter said regarding Leek. “We knew coming back to our home ballpark and having the ball in his hands would be a plus for us.”

The Ducks completed the comeback, something it failed to do in one-run losses in the first two games. Carter said the Ducks could benefit from the momentum swing and even mentioned his role on another champion club New Yorkers remember fondly.

“We know we can’t give in,” Carter said. “If we’re going to be the cardiac kids, like a reminder [of] 1986, then that’s what it’s going to have to take.”

But starting pitcher Randy Leek was the victim of the Ducks first offensive cold spell since the season’s midway point. Leek limited Bridgeport to just one earned run in striking out a            season-high eight batters in eight innings.

The effort was not good enough as a Bluefish starter pitcher once again dominated. One night after Dan Reichert pitched a complete game shutout, Matt Pike struck out eight in logging a season-high seven innings to hand the Ducks a 4-3 loss in front of 6,305 fans at Citibank Park.

Ray Navarrete lifted a first-inning solo home run to left and Johnny Hernandez tagged Pike for a two-run triple in the second before the Bluefish continued to toss up zeros on the scoreboard. The Ducks will not face Bridgeport ace Esteban Yan this weekend, though the club has been shutout in 16 out of 18 innings this series and will look to avoid a three-game sweep to its division rivals.

Pitching coach Dave LaPoint filled in for manager and Hall of Famer Gary Carter, who is in Cooperstown for Sunday’s induction ceremonies. LaPoint left the clubhouse before reporters could interview him.

Preston Wilson struggled with stepdad and former Met outfielder Mookie Wilson in attendance, striking out four times from the cleanup spot. The Ducks entered the series winners of eight of its previous nine before losing two games in a row for the first time since July 14.

Former major leaguer Hector Carrasco saved Pike’s victory by surviving a tension-packed ninth. The righty induced two fly outs before walking Juan Francia and Hernandez to put the tying and winning runs on base. Navarrete worked the count to 3-1 before taking two strikes to end the game on an anticlimactic note as Carrasco picked up his first save for Bridgeport.

Leek dropped to 6-7 while Pike improved to 5-5.

Bridgeport used speed to open the scoring. Leadoff hitter Adam Greenberg placed a flawless bunt to second for an infield single before advancing on a sacrifice bunt. Luis Lopez’s RBI double drove in Greenberg to give Bridgeport the lead.

Navarrete tied the game in the bottom of the inning, smashing his team-leading 15th home run off the Stalco advertisement to the left of the scoreboard.

A two-out second-inning rally gave the Ducks its only lead. Eighth-hitting Rob Sandora’s single started the rally after two fly outs. Juan Francia walked and scored when Hernandez ripped Pike’s offering just beyond Greenberg’s diving attempt in right-centerfield.

Poor defense contributed to Bridgeport’s eventual game-winning outburst. Leek walked Brandon Sing to lead off the fourth before striking out Jesse Hoorelbeke. Sing took off for second on the strikeout pitch but stopped midway between first and second.

Francia, playing shortstop, took the throw at second but hit Sing with the baseball on the throw back to first to thwart what should have been a double play. Instead, the Bluefish lined back-to-back singles to load the bases before a sacrifice fly and Shea Harris’ two-run single to right handed Bridgeport a 4-3 lead.

Francia’s throw was charged an error two innings limited Leek’s line to just one earned run after the Levittown native settled down and retired 11 straight batters before Ducks reliever Joe Valentine struck out the side in order in the ninth.

Leek’s line was aided by a throwing error that made all three of Bridgeport’s fourth inning runs unearned. The Levittown native still pitched the furthest into a game this season, keeping the bullpen well rested, striking out six of the last 11 batters he faced.

In the meantime, the Ducks will settle for a win after trailing 3-0 in the eighth. The Ducks scored twice in the ninth to send it to extras before Hernandez brought home John Pachot with the winning run against Jonathan Plefka (1-1).

Down two runs in the ninth, Victor Rodriguez reached on a one-out error when Todd Davison bobbled the ball. Two base hits sandwiched around strikeouts put the tying runs on base and both advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch.

Pachot then hit a grounder down the third base line that Luis Lopez snared with a backhander. Rather than holding it, Lopez tried the low-percentage throw and his attempt skipped past first base, allowing Kyle Reynolds to score the inning’s second unearned run and tie the score at 3.

Manager Gary Carter nearly was ejected the next batter when Pachot, after advancing to second on another wild pitch, raced home from second when Juan Francia punched a single to left. The strong throw resulted in a bang-bang play and an out call, which caused Carter to jump in the air and scream in frustrating at what could have been the game-winning run.

A power surge temporarily knocked out the left-center field lights with two outs in the top of the sixth and the ensuing 1:08 delay ended a pitching duel prematurely. Cate and Bridgeport’s Kyle Jackson each allowed one base hit each before the rain swept over Citibank Park, leaving it to the bullpens.

Bridgeport finally opened the scoring with a three-run seventh, spoiling Cate’s dominating effort as the Bluefish posted a 3-0 victory. Cate struck out eight and walked just one in 5 2/3 innings. The lefty retired the first 10 Bluefish and faced the minimum through five innings before giving up a leadoff sixth inning walk.

Cate then struck out the next two batters before the delay. The left-center lights and scoreboard flashed on and off before the second strike on Shea Harris. Harris stayed at bat and struck out on the next pitch just as the lights went out in the scoreless game.

At that point the umpires called for the tarp as lightning flashed. Rain pelted the field for the next hour and Ron Flores was on the mound in relief of Cate when the teams returned 68 minutes later.

Flores got out of the sixth by inducing a pop out on one pitch. Yet the Ducks couldn’t muster any more offense despite the Bluefish going to the bullpen. Jackson picked up a no-decision, allowing one hit in five innings, striking out four while issuing zero walks.

The Ducks (34-29) trail first-place Southern Maryland by 5 1/2 games with seven games left for the first-half crown. All records re-set at the midway point, though the remaining first half games are still important should the Blue Crabs win the second half pennant as the best overall record determines a wild card entry.

Bridgeport (29-35) finally generated offense with the first four batters reaching base to start the seventh. Jesse Hoorelbeke lined a single to following a leadoff double and walk, loading the bases against the Ducks Rob Paulk.

With the infield playing in to cut off the run at home, Brandon Sing’s grounder skipped through the left side to plate Todd Davison with the first run while chasing Paulk. Jason Norderum came in and got a key strikeout before walking former Duck Ron Davenport to force in a run. Hoorelbeke scored Bridgeport’s third and final run on a wild pitch to cap the rally.

Cate’s effort came two days after the Ducks released Opening Day starter Brad Halsey. Halsey, a fellow southpaw, was 3-5 with a 5.86 ERA before his departure.

Julio Manon is the closest the Ducks have come to finding an ace, posting a 3-1 record and a rotation-best 3.29 ERA. Cate is the only Ducks starter with an ERA less than 4, making him a candidate to take over the No. 2 rotation spot and provide a lefty complement to Manon.

Halsey never found the consistency and didn’t miss many bats, allowing left-handed hitters to bat a collective .325 against him. The former Yankee prospect was jettisoned July 1 after allowing 73 hits in just 58 1/3 innings. Catcher Jamie Quinn, the team’s bullpen catcher, took Halsey’s roster spot after backup catcher Rob Sandora is out day-to-day with soreness in his leg.

Less than two years later, the Central Islip native is thriving in a league many players and coaches equate with Triple-A. Harris was one of six Ducks named to the Atlantic League’s All-Star game, which takes place Tuesday at Newark’s Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium.

No major league experience was required for the Ducks four positions players who made the Liberty Division squad. Ray Navarrete gets the nod for a second straight year, joining Harris, catcher John Pachot and Brooklyn native Johnny Hernandez. Former big leaguers Joe Valentine and Bill Simas, the club’s set-up man-closer combination, also earned the selection.

“We’re very happy for the players selected to represent our ball club in Newark,” says Ducks general manager Michael Pfaff said in a statement. “They deserve the honor and I’m sure they’ll put on a good show for the fans.”

Just 24 years old, Harris is showing the bat speed and power that made him the Yankees second-round draft choice in 2003. The Ducks (28-24) still trail first-place Southern Maryland by four games with 18 contests remaining in the first half.

The Ducks has won seven of its last 10. Harris, who enters Thursday with a team-high .319 batting average, said he is excited about stellar pitching complementing a resurgent lineup. Harris drilled his second grand slam of the season Sunday and has belted six home runs and driven in 30 runs while slugging .556. The outfielder continues to compensate for the injured Preston Wilson, recording an impressive .399 on-base percentage.

“It’s great when you see the consistency from both sides,” Harris said before the Ducks started a four-game road trip to Somerset. “That just makes us a complete team. It’s good right now. We’re just trying to keep it going.”

Somerset beat the Ducks in the opener before the Flock evened the series with a 6-3 win last night. Navarrete is helping the club and earned his second straight All-Star selection in a Ducks uniform. The one-time Mets minor leaguer continued his high-level play while learning a new position, starting the season as the Ducks everyday third baseman.

Navarrete is batting .288 with a team-high 10 home runs and 34 RBIs. After participating in last year’s home run derby, Navarrete is candidate for the exhibition again. His home run total leaves him just one behind Bridgeport’s Brandon Sing for the league lead.

Pachot will return to Newark after another good start. The former Bear was traded to Long Island in a trade that worked out well for both teams. Carl Everett was sent to New Jersery in exchange for the backstop, who in addition to brining his defensive ability has also batted .295 with 20 RBIs. Hernandez missed all of 2008 but shrugged off the rust to bat .303 with 21 RBIs in registering a .427 slugging percentage.

Valentine continues to thrive in the eighth inning, posting a 1.23 ERA and a 2-0 record through 28 appearances. Simas’ 11 saves is the league’s third most. Simas has struck out 27 batters in just 20 innings.

With media taking a part in the All-Star balloting, here was my list of starters. Bold indicated the player was selected to start while a double asterisk denotes a player made the team but as a reserve.

All-Star Ballot:

Liberty Division                                              Freedom Division

1st Eric Crozier (SMD) Josh Pressley  (Somerset)

2nd Mike Just (SMD) Keoni De Renne (York)**

3rd Ray Navarrete (LI) Jeff Nettles (Somerset)

SS Travis Garcia SMD**                                Ramon Nivar  (Newark)**

OF Jeremy Owens (SMD) L.J. Biernbaum  (Lancaster)

OF Chris Walker (Camden)                            Sean Smith      (Somerset)

OF Johnny Hernandez (LI)**                                    Michael Woods (Lancaster)

OF Estee Harris (LI) Michael Hernandez (Newark)

C John Pachot  (LI) Jed Morris ( Lancaster)**

DH Vito Chiaravolloti (Camden)**               Matt Hagen (Somerset, selected at second base)

Click here for a full list of players and pitchers: http://atlanticleague.com/cgi-bin/dist/news.cgi?id=1245279074

“We it was a big series for us”, replied Ducks Manager Gary Carter.  “We needed a good outing by Brad (Halsey), and he gave that to us.  We had the toughest part of our schedule over the past two weeks, so hopefully now the schedule will be in our favor.”

The Ducks quickly got runs on the board to start the game.  Long Island’s Preston Wilson was hit in the nose from a fastball from York starting pitcher Dan Foli (0-6), and left the game.  After Alex Prieto replaced Wilson at first, Victor Rodriguez tagged a pitch to deep centerfield, scoring Ray Navarette.  Foli then walked Johnny Hernandez, allowing the Central Islip standout Harris to the plate, who then drilled a fastball out to right centerfield to give the Ducks their first Grand Slam of the season.

Wilson was taken to a local hospital for X-rays, according to Ducks General Manager, Michael Pfaff.

“He has a minor displaced fracture on the nose, and we don’t think it will require surgery”, said Carter.  “I was just scared of a fracture of the cheekbone.  Hopefully, he will be back in a few days.”

York (10-24) got their only run of the ball game in the top of the second on a double by catcher Luis Taveras, scoring Matt Esquivel who had doubled two batters before Taveras.

Harris started the Ducks next offensive output in the fourth, hitting a single up the middle off of Foli, who had retired eight in a row after Harris’ homer in the first.  Catcher Rob Sandora, the pride of West Babylon, drove a Foli pitch over the right centerfield wall for his first home run of the season, to give the Ducks a six run lead.

“I’ve been feeling good, and when you are getting consistent at-bats, you get into a groove”, said Harris about his recent performance. “It helps to be playing every day, and the fact that you will be in there the next day, even if you are not successful that day, it is less pressure on you, and it’s a lot easier to play.”

Brad Halsey (2-3), who struggled mightily in his last outing, allowing seven runs in just over three innings, seemed to have his control in order, allowing only four hits in six innings, striking out one and did not walk a batter.  He retired 10 of his 18 outs on the ground, and was consistently picking the corners and staying ahead of the hitters.

“It helped to have the guys step up in the first”, said Halsey.  “They had an idea that I was not doing too well, and they gave me a chance to relax.  The big difference today, was that I was having fun out there.”

“We did not want to over-extend him”, replied Carter on Halsey’s outing. “He had 95 pitches, so it gave us a chance to get guys some innings, and get other guys a day off.”

Robert Paulk, a former Met farmhand that just signed by the Ducks on Saturday, made his debut with a scoreless seventh inning.

Sandora, drove his third run of the game, as he squibbed one past the glove of Jeff Eure to bring in the eighth run of the conquest.

Mike Hrynio had a scoreless eighth inning, and Ron Flores finished the ninth, allowing one run to score.

Victor Rodriguez had four hits for the Ducks, while Ray Navarette was on base with three hits for Long Island.  Luis Tavares had three hits to lead the York attack.

For Carter and the Ducks, they are now sitting at the half-way point of the first half, and he feels that they are doing quite well.

“We’ve lost a lot of key players”, said Carter, “but guys have been stepping up and doing nicely; and our pitching staff is getting stronger.  We just need to hold our own.  We can’t take Bridgeport lightly, and in York they will be want to try to get the wins back.”

Thirty-six games left in the half, and Long Island seems to be ready to move up the standings.

Quacker Notes:  Today’s attendance of 6,096 at Citibank Park giving the Ducks another sellout crowd. Who’s Hot?  Despite the struggle on the field on Saturday night, Joe Valentine’s scoreless streak is now sitting at 18 innings.  He has not allowed an earned run, since April 28^th at Lancaster.  The Ducks are on the road for the next seven with a three game stint against the Bridgeport Bluefish, following with a four game rematch versus the Revolution.  The Ducks return to Long Island on Monday, June 8^th to face the Newark Bears in a four game series.

There he was, Armando Benitez, wearing No. 48, as he trotted in to close the Newark Bears eventual 7-3 win.

Of course a dunker and a walk put two runners on, but Benitez recorded the save – after all this wasn’t the playoffs – as Long Island wanted to put this match behind them.

“It was one of those games,” said Ducks manager Gary Carter. “Our starting pitcher goes four innings and throws 84 pitches and our middle guy Mike Hrynio throws 51 pitches. It’s not what you are looking for.”

That starter was B.J. Lamura, who Carter described as the team’s No. 5 man. Getting roughed up early, the Ronkonkoma native gave up two in the first highlighted by Rob Mackowiak’s two-out double into left-center field. And then the Bears added another run in the second to get a 3-0 lead.

The Ducks did come back though thanks to Johnny Hernandez’s homer making it 3-2.

Yet that was all the closest Long Island could muster on the chilly night. Since former Duck Carl Everett gave Newark its fourth run on his fourth homer of the season.

“You have to give Newark credit though, they are a good team,” Carter said. “It’s just one of those things. Tomorrow is another day and Newark has done well in the other division. We just have to keep holding our own.”

Time might be getting short for Lamura who is now 0-3 on the season, as Carter said he is looking for “guys he can rely on.”

Just as Newark is looking to lean on their bullpen and shorten games. Besides the former Met closer, the Bears also have former White Sox ninth inning guy Keith Foulke who pitched a scoreless eighth. Although it’s not Putz to K-Rod, it is a formidable one-two punch for the Atlantic League.

“They have the most major league experience,” Carter said. “Foulke has a lot of saves as does Benitez. Obviously the right answer is to get to their starting staff early, because they have a very strong bullpen.”

The Ducks will look to do that tonight as they continue their four games series against the Bears. Long Island will look to rough up Bears starter Edgar Martinez, while the Flock will send their admiral to the mound with former Yankee Brad Halsey toeing the rubber.

Notes: It was Knights of Columbus night at Citibank Park as the fraternal organization took part in all the pre-game ceremonies and sponsored clock night….Preston Wilson is still rehabbing his knee, and is days away from playing.

The announced crowd of 6,411 at Citibank Park, were given the lead for good in the bottom of the seventh inning, when Johnny Hernandez launched a Jared Gothreaux (0-2) fastball over the right field fence.  The victory for Long Island (5-4) gave manager Gary Carter, his first victory at home.

“It was a nice win to come back after the tough loss last night”, said Ducks Manager Gary Carter.

The start of the game was not a positive one, as Long Island starter and Ronkonkoma native B.J. LaMura had a difficult time in the first inning.  He seemed to have trouble getting his pitches in and when he did, the Patriot bats connected.  Two runs came home as a result of a Jeff Nettles single to left field, and a Matt Hagen double that just stayed away from the third base line.

Once the first inning was over, LaMura settled in and retired 10 Patriots in a row, before Anthony Granato reached on an error in right field by Raul Gonzalez.  In five and one third innings, LaMura gave up five hits and walked two, while striking out 3.

“I thought he did real well.  I know with a lot of family here, he started tough, but he settled down after that”, said Ducks Manager Gary Carter.  “He has earned another start.”

After Somerset’s Gothreaux got through the first nine batters with out getting allowing a Long Island batter to reach base, the Ducks cut the deficit to one on a broken bat bloop single by Raul Gonzalez, scoring Ray Navarette.

Gothreaux got into another groove allowing only one more hit over the next two and two-third innings, before walking Raul Gonzalez, and then giving up the home run to Hernandez.

Joe Valentine pitched a scoreless 7^th before the Ducks took the lead, to earn his second victory of the season.  Dan Miceli pitched a hitless eighth and Bill Simas closed the game for his fourth save of the season.  For the Ducks, it gives them a chance for Carter to experience a ‘happy recap’.

“Each game is a battle”, said Carter, but knows that it is good to get some good home cooking.  “You always want to play good in front of the big home crowd.  We know that we will get 6,000 a night at home, and hopefully tomorrow, we will win the series.

A victory on a fireworks night is always fun for the fans and the players alike.  Note: There are 10 of these planned for this season.

Quacker Notes:  Who is hot?  Outfielder Johnny Hernandez, a former Cardinals farmhand, is batting .500 before tonight’s game, with 2 doubles, 2 triples and 6 runs batted in.  Now, add a home run.  Who is not?  Lew Ford, the former Minnesota Twin, has struggled so far.  He is 5 for 29 to start the season. “He may be battling himself right now”, said Carter after the game; “But he is a major leaguer that has been successful, and I believe that he will get out of it.”  Preston Wilson had his hitting streak stopped at seven games.  Ray Navarette’s streak is now at eight.