Trio of Homers Help Ducks Split Doubleheader

(Bridgeport, Conn., June 2, 2017) – The Long Island Ducks split a single admission doubleheader with the Bridgeport Bluefish on Friday night at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard, dropping game one 5-2 before earned a 6-0 shutout victory in game two.

GAME ONE VIDEO: Long Island’s two-run third inning ties the game at two

GAME TWO VIDEO: Three homers highlight a shutout win for the Ducks

Bridgeport took a 2-0 lead in the second inning of the opener on an RBI single by Jose Cuevas and a passed ball that scored Daniel Fields. Long Island answered in the third inning to tie the game on Elmer Reyes’ two-out RBI single and an error that plated Dan Lyons.

The Bluefish grabbed the lead back in the bottom of the third on a two-run double by Sean Burroughs and an RBI single by Tony Abreu. Long Island threatened in the fifth with a pair of one-out singles but could not cut into the deficit.

Bluefish starter Cory Riordan (3-2) earned the win, pitching six innings and allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk with five strikeouts. Ducks starter Tim Melville (2-4) took the loss, giving up five runs (four earned) on six hits and three walks in six innings while striking out five. David Carpenter collected his 16th save with a scoreless seventh, striking out two.

Long Island struck first in game two of the twin bill. Zach Goldstein’s RBI double to center field in the third inning marked his first professional hit and first pro run batted in. He then scored his first pro run two batters later on Lew Ford’s RBI single to right.

The Ducks increased the advantage to 5-0 in the fifth when Ford hit an opposite-field two-run home run to right and Angelo Songco followed immediately thereafter with a solo homer to right-center. Reyes rounded out the scoring in the seventh by launching a leadoff solo homer to left.

Ducks starter Rafael Perez (3-1) picked up the victory, pitching four shutout innings and allowing just two hits and walk while striking out five. Bluefish starter Rainy Lara (3-2) suffered the loss, surrendering five runs (four earned) on six hits and two walks with two strikeouts in five innings. Dennis O’Grady and Chin-Hui Tsao combined for three scoreless innings in relief, yielding one hit while striking out five.

Ford led the Flock with three hits and three RBI in game two. Lyons and Reyes each had a pair of hits combined between the two games.

The Ducks and Bluefish continue their four-game set on Saturday night. Game time is slated for 6:12 p.m. from The Ballpark at Harbor Yard. Fans can follow all the action online on the Long Island Ducks Broadcast Network. Live streaming HD video and audio will be available via BoxCast on the Ducks’ official Facebook page, YouTube channel and at LIDucks.com. Right-hander John Brownell (3-0, 2.70) toes the rubber for the Ducks against Bluefish righty Jonathan Albaladejo (3-3, 4.60).

Long Island returns home on Friday, June 9 to begin a three-game set with the Bluefish. Game time is slated for 6:35 p.m., with the Bethpage Ballpark gates opening at 5:35 (5:20 for full season ticket holders). The first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive Ducks T-Shirts, courtesy of Petro Home Services. It’s also a Fowl Pole Friday at the Duck Pond, and if a select Ducks player hits a home run off of one of the foul poles during the game, one lucky fan will win $50,000. In addition, a Bluefish player will be selected as the Pizza Hut K-Man of the game. If that player strikes out, fans will receive a FREE 1-Topping Personal Pan Pizza at a participating Pizza Hut location Tickets to the game, and all Ducks home games, are available by visiting the Bethpage Ballpark box office, calling (631) 940-TIXX or CLICKING HERE.

The Long Island Ducks are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at Bethpage Ballpark. For further information, call (631) 940-DUCK or visit www.liducks.com.

About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)

The Atlantic League has been a leader in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball since 1998. Over 36 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 800 players and 50 managers and coaches have joined MLB organizations directly from the ALPB. The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment to metropolitan markets serving nearly 15% of the US population.

For more information, please visit www.atlanticleague.com.

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