Buddy Can’t Save Ducks From Fish

By Brian Bohl on May 24, 2008

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY—How bad did things go for the Ducks last night? Acting manager Bud Harrelson couldn’t even complete a pitching change when he wanted thanks to a technicality.

The rule book was the last of the Ducks’ worries last night. Kevin Mannix slogged through his second straight poor outing, getting lifted after recording just four outs and nine runs (three earned) in a brutal 14-9 loss to division-rival Bridgeport.

Mannix was tagged for six runs—all unearned—in the first inning thanks in part to two fielding errors and one infield single generously ruled a single. Mannix walked five and lasted just 1 1/3 innings as the Ducks dropped one game below .500 when just a night before they reached the break-even point for the first time since May 11.

“You knew he was in trouble right away. He was walking guys and walked two [runs] in,” said Harrelson, the Ducks’ co-owner filling in for Dave LaPoint, who is attending his son’s college graduation this weekend. “We didn’t help him early on with a couple of miscues. They got a couple of bloops and started blasting us.”

An infield single, fielding error and walk loaded the bases with no outs in the first. Bridgeport benefitted from a second misplay when third baseman Pete Maestrales threw a potential double play ball into right field, allowing two runs to score. Two batters later, Brian Munhall registered the first of his evening’s four RBIs, drawing a bases loaded walk.

Though all the runs were unearned via the two errors, Mannix suffered the ultimate indignity by walking pitcher Matt Pike to force in the fifth run of the inning. Pike, a pitcher, was making his first professional plate appearance, playing left field in an emergency situation because of injuries to the Bridgeport roster.

Fielding miscues represented a moiety of the Ducks’ problems. Mannix’s woes continued in the second when he allowed two hits and a walk to load the bases with one out. Brian Munhall then ripped a two-run double, prompting a coaching mound visit.

Immediately after the conference, Harrelson walked out to remove Mannix. But by rule, a pitching change cannot be made following a mound visit until the current pitcher faces one more batter (except in a pinch-hitting situation).

Mannix couldn’t end his night on a good night as Jake Daubert’s RBI double chased him and put the Bluefish up 9-2. The Ducks (13-14) chipped into the edge, cutting it as close as 9-6 on Alex Sanchez’ fourth-inning solo home run off Rafael Bergstrom.

Bridgeport (13-14) reestablished a comfortable lead in the fifth, deflating the sold-out Citibank Park crowd by tagging long reliever Mike Myers for four runs. Ryan Bear added a two-run double and Jesse Hoorelbeke’s single platted Braden Florence to put the Bluefish up 12-6.

“Myers is an inning-eater,” Harrelson said. “We started to come back and he gave up four and it kind of got out of hand.”

The Ducks racked up 15 hits but couldn’t bail out the pitching staff. Myers rejoined the organization two days after getting released and provided length instead of quality. The Wantagh native saved the bullpen by going 4 1/3 innings. He also surrendered eight hits, three walks and five earned runs, preventing the lineup from pulling out the slugfest in front of 6,047 fans.

Sanchez continued his amazing hot streak, recording a multi-hit game for the third time in three nights since joining the club. Sanchez finished 4-6, scoring four runs. In his brief Ducks career, the former Tigers outfielder has compiled 10 hits, seven runs, 2 homer, four extra base hits and three RBIs in just 15 at-bats. Sanchez played winter ball before working out in his home prior to joining the Atlantic League.

“He’s on fire,” Harrelson said. “It’s my understanding that he hadn’t really done anything for three months. But he’s got that nice, quick swing. He could probably take three years off and hit like that.”

Two hits and presented a bases-loaded, no-out situation in the ninth for the Ducks. Donaldo Mendez continued his season-long funk, striking out. Sanchez came up to extend the rally and lined the ball hard to second. Instead of finding the hole, Luis Lopez fielded it on one hop and turned the game-ending double play.

“He hit the ball as hard as you can hit it,” Harrelson said. “He has to hit it that hard to be doubled up.”

The Ducks dropped to 13-14 and will look to get even tonight in the second contest of a three-game set. Lefty Steve Kent will start for the home team and face Bridgeport right-hander Tim Drew.

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