(Central Islip, N.Y., July 24, 2019) – The Long Island Ducks were swept in a day/night doubleheader at Bethpage Ballpark on Wednesday, dropping game one 3-1 and game two 9-8.
Both sides exchanged zeroes in game one until the top of the fourth inning when Bijan Rademacher launched a solo home run to right field off Ducks starter Vin Mazzaro. It stayed that way until the bottom of the sixth when two singles and a wild pitch scored Ezequiel Carrera from third, tying the game at one.
New Britain went back in front in the seventh, as a run-scoring bunt by Rando Moreno and an RBI single by Tyler Clark gave the visitors a 3-1 lead. Long Island put the tying runs on base in the bottom of the frame but could not pull even.
Neither starter factored into the decision. Mazzaro tossed five innings of one-run ball, allowing three hits and a walk while striking out four. David Roseboom pitched four scoreless innings for the Bees, giving up two hits and a walk with one strikeout. Jose Rosario (3-1) collected the win despite giving up a run on two hits and a walk in one inning. Rob Rogers (1-1) suffered the loss, yielding two runs on three hits in two innings of relief. Jim Fuller picked up his 10th save of the season with a scoreless seventh inning.
Ramon Cabrera led the Flock with a pair of hits.
The Ducks offense exploded for seven runs in the second inning of game two off Bees starter Devin Burke. A solo home run to right field and an RBI single to center by Rey Fuentes, an RBI triple to right-center by Vladimir Frias, a run-scoring single from Ezequiel Carrera and a three-run homer to right by Hector Sanchez highlighted the inning.
New Britain closed to within 7-2 in the fourth on a sacrifice fly to right off the bat of Jonathan Galvez and a run-scoring groundout from Jared James. Joe Poletsky’s solo homer to left in the fifth off Ducks starter Pedro Beato trimmed the Ducks lead to 7-3.
The Bees jumped in front 9-7 with a six-run eighth inning. An RBI single by James, a two-run single by Darren Ford and an RBI double from Zach Collier did the damage. Fuentes’ second homer of the day, a solo blast to left, brought the Ducks within a run in the bottom of the eighth, but they could not even things up.
Neither starter factored into the decision. Beato pitched six innings of three-run ball, allowing six hits and a walk while striking out five. Burke lasted five innings, giving up seven runs on 12 hits and a walk with five strikeouts. Chris Reed (1-0) picked up the win with two scoreless innings, striking out two. Michael Tonkin (3-2) took the loss, conceding two runs on two hits in one inning. Michael Johnson collected his first save of the year with a 1-2-3 ninth inning.
Fuentes led the Flock offensively with four hits, including two homers, driving in three runs while scoring twice.
The Ducks and Bees will wrap up their four-game series 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 fans in attendance will receive “Winning Takes Teamwork” Posters, courtesy of the YMCA of Long Island. It’s Thirsty Thursday at the ballpark! Fans will be able to enjoy drink specials, including half-price Bud and Bud Lights, in the brand new Adult Zone, located down the left field line. In addition, fans will be able to enjoy food and drink specials at the concession stands. It’s also an RXBAR Thursday! Ducks staff members will be handing out free delicious and nutritious protein bars, courtesy of RXBAR, as fans exit the ballpark (while supplies last).
Tickets to the game, and all Ducks home games, can be purchased by visiting the 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 video and audio will be available via BoxCast on LIDucks.com, Facebook Live and the Ducks official YouTube channel.
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)
With eight teams in the Mid-Atlantic and Texas, the ALPB is a leader in baseball innovation and a player gateway to Major League Baseball. Through its exclusive partnership with MLB, the Atlantic League tests Major League Baseball rules and equipment initiatives. The Atlantic League has sent over 900 players to MLB organizations while drawing more than 40 million fans to its affordable, family-friendly ballparks throughout its 22-year history.
For more information, please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.
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