(Waldorf, Md., Aug. 10, 2017) – The Long Island Ducks defeated the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs 1-0 on Thursday night at Regency Furniture Stadium in the first game of a four-game series. The victory was Long Island’s seventh consecutive win, the club’s longest winning streak of the season.
Pitching ruled the day as Matt Larkins of the Ducks (18-15; 54-49) and Daryl Thompson of the Blue Crabs dominated hitters throughout the night. After a leadoff single in the first by Quintin Berry, Thompson retired 15 Ducks in a row before Giovanny Alfonzo singled in the sixth. In one stretch of his own, Larkins retired 11 straight Blue Crabs (13-20; 51-51) hitters.
Long Island broke through in the eighth against reliever Zack Thornton, who allowed a leadoff double to Alex Burg. Two batters later, the Ducks catcher scored when Jose Lozada fielded an Alfonzo groundball and threw wildly to first for an error.
Larkins (6-6) finished the complete game shutout by working around a leadoff single in the ninth. The right-hander allowed four hits and walked two while striking out four in a dominant performance. This was the second shutout thrown by Larkins this season, with the other coming on July 5 at Bethpage Ballpark against the Lancaster Barnstormers.
Thompson did not factor into the decision despite throwing seven shutout innings, allowing two hits and striking out nine. Thornton (2-2) got the loss, allowing the unearned run in his lone stanza of work.
Berry, Burg and Alfonzo had the only three hits of the game for the Ducks.
The Ducks continue their four-game series against the Blue Crabs on Friday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. from Regency Furniture Stadium. Fans 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. Left-hander Rafael Perez (7-7, 4.37) gets the start for the Ducks against Blue Crabs righty Drew Hayes (6-5, 3.76).
Long Island returns home on Friday, August 18 to open up a three-game series against the Lancaster Barnstormers. 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 Drawstring Bags, courtesy of Fairfield Properties. It’s also a Fowl Pole Friday, and if a select Ducks player hits a home run off one of the foul poles during the game, one lucky fan will win $50,000. In addition, a Barnstormers 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. 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 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 talentof 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.