Ducks Break Streak

By Brian Bohl on September 12, 2008

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY — When the Ducks collectively drove to the ballpark Sunday morning, the playoff picture looked murky. Six losses in the past seven games, including a three-game losing streak, cut the Flock’s lead in the Liberty Division standings to just a half-game entering a doubleheader against York.

But Randy Leek helped the Ducks take the opener and a late rally gave them an extra-inning win, salvaging a 3-6 record on the road trip. That sweep propelled the Ducks to a late season surge that lost momentum Thursday night after it blew a four-run lead.

Staff ace Randy Leek fell apart in the sixth and the lineup failed to push across any more runs after the fourth inning as the Patriots averted a four-game sweep with a 6-4 win. The Ducks saw its five-game winning streak end along with a chance to post its second consecutive four-game sweep over Somerset.

Southern Maryland defeated Newark, cutting the Ducks lead to just 2 ½ games in the Liberty Division with 10 regular season contests remaining.

“You can’t think about clinch or think about where you’re going to do it,” manager Dave LaPoint said. “It’s one game; one-inning at a time right now. If we look too far ahead, we’ll get into a bad rut. I don’t think anyone is looking past tomorrow.”

Leek was on his way to becoming the first Atlantic League pitcher to win 12 games this year before breaking down following five scoreless. Nursing a 4-0 lead, the Levittown native loaded the bases to start the sixth before striking out Teuris Olivares.

Brandon Larson, who hit three homers and drove in five runs in a loss to the Ducks the previous game, cleared the bases with a three-run double into the left-centerfield gap.

Matt Hagen completed the comeback attempt, ripping a one-out RBI single to center off Tony Price (0-1) to build a 5-4 Somerset lead. Hagen’s hit scored Larson and allowed Somerset to win on Long Island for the first time in eight games. The Ducks magic number to reach the playoffs remained stagnant at nine, meaning any combination of nine wins or Southern Maryland losses would secure a postseason appearance.

Set-up man Jason Richardson used his fastball to neutralize the Ducks last rally after walking Jamie Pogue and allowing a single to Haverbusch to start the eighth. Dennis Donovan, who entered the game for the injured Juan Francia, failed in three attempts to move the runners over, striking out on a bunt attempt.

Ray Navarrete also struck out on a heater and Pete Rose Jr. hit a soft pop fly to center to end the threat. Richardson (9-2) struck out three in two innings to get the win.

The Ducks jumped on Somerset starter Brian Tollberg early, scoring two in the third thanks to Bryant Nelson’s RBI fielder’s choice that plated Juan Francia. Shortstop Elliot Ayala’s throwing error on the double play attempt skipped past first base, allowing Ray Navarrete to score from second base.

Kevin Haverbusch expanded the lead the next inning, taking reliever Josh Brey’s fastball over the wall in left for a two-run shot. His 12th homer of the season made it 4-0.

If Leek (11-3) maintains his normal rest, he will get two more starts, giving him a chance to set the franchise record for single season victories. He still needs one more to tie Pat Ahearne’s franchise record of 12 victories, set in 2006. The southpaw is on pace to pitch the final game of the regular season if it a must-win scenario.

“He pitched good but he’s coming back a day early,” said LaPoint, who pitched Leek on three days’ rest. “We still had a chance to win the game. The effort was there. It’s tough to sweep them two series in a row.”

The loss dropped the Ducks home record to 41-27. That stands in contrast to a 25-37 road ledger. LaPoint’s team will now play its final three games at Citibank Park before ending the season with a three-game set in Camden and a four-game set against Bridgeport.

Considering the road woes and the fact the Bluefish are just 4 1/2 games back, the regular season finale Sept. 21 could be suspenseful. But LaPoint insisted the disparity in home vs. road record isn’t causing him sleepless nights.

“We have the type of team where home or road doesn’t make a difference,” LaPoint said. “Stats really don’t matter at this time. They are a lot of people playing at a higher level. All throughout the year, you have players going in and out. You’re in flux most of the year.

“Now you know who you got and who you’re going with. So it shouldn’t matter.”

Should the Ducks clinch a playoff spot for the fifth consecutive season, Game 1 of the best-of-three first-round series would be held at Citibank Park on Sept. 23 with the final two games held at Camden’s Campbell’s Field. The Riversharks own the home field advantage.

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