(Central Islip, N.Y., Aug. 3, 2017) – The Long Island Ducks were defeated by the Bridgeport Bluefish 8-2 on Thursday night in the opener of a four-game series at Bethpage Ballpark.
Both sides traded zeroes until the fourth inning when the Bluefish plated four runs against Ducks starter John Brownell. A two-run home run to center field by Daniel Fields, a run-scoring error and an RBI single by D’Arby Myers did the damage. Jonathan Galvez hit a two-out solo homer to left-center in the fifth which extended the lead to five.
Long Island cracked the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI ground rule double from Alex Burg and a two-out RBI single by Quintin Berry off Bluefish starter Manny Parra. However, a two-run homer to left by Welington Dotel in the sixth pushed their advantage to 7-2. Fields’ second longball of the night, a solo shot to left in the seventh, rounded out the scoring.
Parra (1-0) earned the win, pitching five and two-thirds innings of two-run ball, allowing five hits and two walks while striking out seven. Brownell (8-3) suffered the loss, surrendering five runs (four earned) on 10 hits over five innings with two strikeouts. Zac Treece tossed two scoreless innings for the Ducks, striking out four batters.
Burg and Jordan Pacheco led the Flock with two hits apiece.
The Ducks and Bluefish continue their four-game set on Friday night. 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). It’s Salute to First Responders Night at the ballpark, and first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive 2017 Ducks Baseball T-Shirts, courtesy of National Grid. It’s also a Fowl Pole Friday, 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 special offer for a FREE 1-Topping Personal Pan Pizza at a participating Pizza Hut location. Right-hander Henderson Alvarez (0-1, 0.90) takes the mound for the Ducks against Bluefish righty Rainy Lara (7-6, 4.01).
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. Those unable to make the game can follow all the action 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.
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 37 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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