(Central Islip, N.Y., Aug. 8, 2017) – The Long Island Ducks swept a single admission doubleheader from the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs on Tuesday night at Bethpage Ballpark, routing the Blue Crabs 10-0 in game one before rallying for a 4-2 victory in game two.
Ducks starter Alfredo Simon (2-3) was the story in game one, as the right-hander came within two outs of completing a no-hitter. The right-hander allowed just two walks over the first six and one-third innings and struck out seven batters. After retiring 11 consecutive batters, his no-hit bid came to an end on a one-out single in the seventh by Michael Snyder. Southern Maryland would collect two more singles before a groundout ended the game. Simon threw 108 pitches in the outing, 65 of them for strikes.
Long Island took a 2-0 lead in the second inning on RBI singles from Giovanny Alfonzo and Dan Lyons. Four more runs in the third extended the advantage to six. Angelo Songco’s two-run double and RBI singles from Anthony Vega and Alfonzo did the damage.
The offense continued in the fifth inning when Ruben Gotay crushed a solo home run to left field off Blue Crabs starter Eric Fornataro. A three-spot in the sixth rounded out the scoring, as sacrifice flies from Delta Cleary Jr. and Songco, along with an RBI single by Gotay, highlighted the inning.
Fornataro (0-4) suffered the loss, giving up six runs on nine hits and a walk in three innings with two strikeouts. Alfonzo led the Flock with three hits and two RBI. Gotay, Vega and Lyons each added two hits, while Songco drove in three runs.
The Ducks plated the first run of game two in the third inning when Alex Burg scored from third on a passed ball by Blue Crabs catcher Ryan Wiggins. Southern Maryland answered in the fourth when Snyder hit a two-run homer to center field off Ducks starter Tyler Levine.
It stayed 2-1 until the bottom of the sixth when Long Island rallied for three runs off Blue Crabs starter Brian Grening to take a 4-2 lead. Elmer Reyes’ two-run double to left and a sac fly off the bat of Burg accounted for the scoring.
Levine did not factor into the decision but pitched four and one-third innings of two-run ball, yielding two hits and two walks with a strikeout. Rob Rogers (4-0) collected the win after pitching one and two-thirds scoreless innings of relief, allowing just one hit. Grening (7-5) took the loss, surrendering four runs (three earned) on eight hits and two walks in five and one-third innings with one strikeout. Amalio Diaz picked up his seventh save with a scoreless ninth.
Reyes and Angelo Songco each had two hits to lead the offense.
The Ducks and Blue Crabs wrap up their three-game set on Wednesday 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 “The Great Plesser’s Giveaway” Night, and throughout the game, the Ducks will be selecting a lucky seat in the ballpark each inning. The fan holding the ticket for that seat will receive a Weber Smokey Joe Premium Charcoal Grill, courtesy of Plesser’s. It’s also another Waddle In Wednesday, and during the game, a special item in the Waddle In Shop will be available at a 20% discount all game long. Right-hander Henderson Alvarez (0-1, 3.60) toes the rubber for the Ducks against Blue Crabs righty Gaby Hernandez (8-2, 2.56).
Tickets to the game, and all Ducks home games, are available by visiting the Bethpage Ballpark box office, calling (631) 940-TIXX. 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.