(Central Islip, N.Y., Aug. 14, 2018) – The Long Island Ducks were defeated by the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs 9-7 on Tuesday night in the middle game of a three-game series at Bethpage Ballpark.
Jordany Valdespin gave the Ducks a 1-0 lead in the first inning with a leadoff solo home run to right field off Blue Crabs starter Daryl Thompson. Southern Maryland tied the game in the second on a two-out RBI single to left-center by Craig Maddox.
A four-run third inning for the Blue Crabs in the third off Ducks starter John Brownell put the visitors in front 5-1. A two-run homer to right by Devon Rodriguez and RBI singles from Cory Vaughn and Angelo Songco did the damage. Daniel Fields answered with a two-run home run to right in the bottom of the third, closing the gap to two.
It stayed that way until the top of the seventh when a three-run double to right field by Songco increased the Blue Crabs advantage to 8-3. The Ducks rallied back though in the eighth, as a two-run homer to right by Valdespin and RBI singles from Taylor Ard and Ramon Cabrera trimmed the deficit to one. However, that was as close as the Ducks would come.
Thompson (4-3) picked up the win, tossing five innings of three-run ball, allowing four hits while striking out three. Brownell (8-10) took the loss, conceding five runs on 11 hits and a walk over five and two-thirds innings with five strikeouts. Cody Eppley earned his 11th save with a scoreless ninth inning, striking out two.
Cabrera had three hits to lead the Flock offensively. Valdespin added two hits, three RBIs and two runs, while Fields and Ard each collected two hits as well.
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 a Waddle In Wednesday at the ballpark! During the game, a special item in the Waddle In Shop will be available at an exclusive discount. This week’s featured item will be announced on LIDucks.com the morning of the game and throughout the evening from inside the ballpark. Left-hander Jake Fisher (6-5, 3.92) toes the rubber for the Ducks against Blue Crabs southpaw David Wayne Russo (1-4, 5.25).
Tickets to the game, and all Ducks home games, are available by visiting the Bethpage Ballpark box office, calling (631) 940-TIXX, CLICKING HERE or downloading the Ducks mobile app. 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 38 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 900 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.
For more information, please visit www.atlanticleague.com.
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