(Central Islip, N.Y., Aug. 29, 2018) – The Long Island Ducks split a single admission doubleheader with the Lancaster Barnstormers on Wednesday night at Bethpage Ballpark, taking game one 8-7 in walk-off fashion before dropping two 7-5 in eight innings.
David Washington put the Ducks on top in the first inning of game one with an RBI single to right field. Lancaster responded with three runs in the second inning off Ducks starter Chris Pike. An RBI double by Ryan Casteel and a run-scoring fielder’s choice off the bat of Vladimir Frias highlighted the inning.
The Ducks came right back with a three-run bottom of the frame against Barnstormers starter Jonathan Albaladejo. A two-run home run to right by Jordany Valdespin and an RBI double to right by Lew Ford put the Flock back in front 4-3. Lancaster tied the game in the fourth when Josh Bell scored on an error, but another RBI double by Ford in the bottom of the frame gave the Ducks a 5-4 advantage. One inning later, Washington scored on an error to extend the lead to two.
It stayed that way until the top of the seventh inning when two walks were followed by a three-run homer to right off the bat of Bell, putting the ‘Stormers in front 7-6. However, Long Island rallied back in the bottom of the inning. Washington’s mammoth leadoff solo homer tied the game at seven, and following two singles and an intention walk, Valdespin ended the game with a walk-off single through the left side.
Neither starter factored into the decision. Pike pitched four innings, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks with one strikeout. Albaladejo lasted six innings, yielding six runs (five earned) on 11 hits and two walks while striking out four. Jose Cuas (2-0) picked up the win after recording the final two outs in the seventh. Kaleb Fleck (1-1) took the loss, conceding two runs on three hits and a walk in one-third of an inning.
Ford led the Flock with four hits in game one, while Valdespin added two hits and three RBIs. Washington also chipped in with two hits, two RBIs and two runs.
The Barnstormers jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning of game two on a two-out, two-run single by K.C. Hobson off Ducks starter Lorenzo Barcelo. The Ducks closed the gap to one in the bottom of the inning on a solo home run to right field by Miles Williams off Lancaster starter Ty’Relle Harris.
Travyon Robinson’s solo homer to right in the third restored Lancaster’s two-run lead at 3-1. A run-scoring groundout from Darian Sandford and an RBI single by Robinson in the fourth pushed the advantage to four.
Cody Puckett’s solo homer to left-center in the fifth and a sac fly to center from Washington in the sixth closed the gap to 5-3. The Ducks then rallied once again in the bottom of the seventh, as Williams’ two-out, two-run single to center tied the ballgame at five. Lancaster took the lead back for good though in the eighth on an RBI single to center by Blake Gailen and a run-scoring fielder’s choice off the bat of Robinson.
Neither starter factored into the decision. Barcelo pitched four innings, yielding five runs (four earned) on eight hits and three walks with two strikeouts. Harris lasted five and one-third innings, giving up three runs on three hits while striking out six. Huascar Brazoban (2-3) picked up the win after tossing one and one-third scoreless innings of relief. Cuas (2-1) took the loss, surrendering two runs on two hits and two walks in one inning.
Williams led the Flock with two hits and three RBIs in the game.
The Ducks and Barnstormers wrap up their four-game set on Thursday 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). The first 1,500 kids 12 & under will receive Ducks Lunch Boxes, courtesy of SCOPE Education Services. It’s also a Thirsty Thursday at the ballpark! The Duck Club restaurant and bar, normally reserved for VIP/season ticket holders, will be open for all fans to enjoy. There will be both food and drink specials available, including half price domestics. Left-hander Hector Silvestre (2-0, 6.23) gets the ball for the Ducks against Barnstormers southpaw John Anderson.
Tickets to the game, and all Ducks home games, are available by visiting the Bethpage Ballpark box office, calling (631) 940-TIXX, CLICKING HEREor 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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