Ducks Knocked Out of Race

By Brian Bohl on July 5, 2009

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY- A second-half surge will be the Ducks only opportunity to make a return postseason trip.

Bridgeport’s Corey Lee dominated the Ducks, allowing just three hits in seven scoreless innings as the Ducks dropped a 7-0 decision in front of the largest crowd in Citibank Park history. Southern Maryland posted a win Saturday afternoon and clinched the Liberty Division’s first-half championship with Bridgeport’s win.

Despite a new attendance high of 7,582, the Ducks’ fell to 34-31 and will need to win the division’s second-half title or capture a potential wild card berth in order to avoid missing the playoffs for the first time since 2003. While the records re-set July 10, the remaining five games in the opening half could still matter at the end of the season if there is a wild card race.

“I think it’s a good way of doing it and it gives every team an opportunity to regroup and have a chance to get in the playoffs,” Carter said. “Every game counts and in this situation, we just have to keep going out there and play hard.

“We can’t forget the last five games.”

There was some good news for the Ducks on a picturesque Independence Day with Preston Wilson returning to the Ducks lineup for the first time in more than a month. Wilson batted cleanup and went 1-4 as the designated hitter, marking his first game action since getting drilled in the face with a pitch that caused a displaced fracture of his nose May 28.

“It’s funny because for me, anytime I’ve come back from something, the first day is OK and it starts telling you how much time you’ve missed in the next few days,” Wilson said. “It’s a matter of stating focused and trying to keep everything as slow and simple as possible and not try to force it. Hopefully, it will come back quicker if [I] don’t try to force it.”

Ducks pitchers experienced severe control problems, walking seven batters to set-up Bridgeport’s rallies. Jake Dittler allowed just three hits and one run in six innings but walked five, including a sixth-inning leadoff walk that resulted in the game’s first run.

Luis Lopez followed a free pass to Tyrone Pendergrass by lining a double that landed just inside the rightfield line. Dittler ended his outing by escaping the jam, stranding Lopez at second before exiting. The right-hander took the hard-luck loss, dropping to 2-4.

A seventh-inning bullpen meltdown allowed Bridgeport to pad the lead with six runs, punctuated by Ryan Radmonovich’s three-run home run. Jason Norderum and Joe Valentine were both charged with three runs.

“Walks always comes back to haunt you,” Carter said. “That was the difference in the ballgame.”

Wilson’s return should bolster the lineup for a second-half push though it did nothing to stymie Lee. The Ducks did not have a single runner reach second until the seventh inning. Even with two runners on base, Lee ended the threat by forcing Johnny Hernandez to ground into a double play. Lee watched Matt Pike pitch the last two innings. The Ducks could not avoid its shutout this season.

“Bridgeport’s been swinging the bat well and getting some good pitching,” Carter said. “They are going to be just as tough in the second half.”

Wilson took an extra precaution at the plate to guard his face. The former major league All-Star wore a protective clear visor fixated to the the helmet’s brim. But the new equipment and long layoff didn’t hinder bat speed as Wilson lined a single sharply through the right side in his first at-bat against Lee. The former Mets, Marlins and Astros outfielder even laughed about his protective gear, pointing it out to catcher Luis Rodriguez before stepping into the batter’s box for the first time.

“It’s a big boost,” Carter said. “We came up with that shield that will protect him, otherwise he wasn’t going to be eligible until around [July] 9 or play in the field until the 14th.  There’s no question, it’s a big plus to have him back.”

The Ducks will look to salvage a split of the four-game series Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.

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