Down, 4-3, entering the bottom of the ninth, the Barnstormers got a leadoff single from Aaron Herr, playing despite a twisted ankle.  Toshihisa Nishi ran for Herr and stayed at first as Reggie Taylor popped out.  Mulhern then took Joe Esposito (1-2) to the base of the left field wall for an RBI double to tie the game.  Vic Gutierrez was hit by a pitch, filling in first.  Joe Gaetti flied to right for the second out of the inning.

Esposito nearly sent the game to a tenth inning.  Josh Johnson hit a slow bounder to the left side of the infield.  Shortstop Erick Monzon, screened initially, had to come in and to his right to field the ball.  His off-balance throw to first had Johnson beaten, but it was ruled that first baseman Ray Navarrete came off the bag as Johnson reached safely.  Turner followed with a walk on five pitches, pushing Mulhern across with the game winner.

Long Island broke out to a 3-0 lead off Josh Hall in the third.  Dustan Mohr led off with a double into the right field corner and scored on Matt Cavagnaro’s liner into right center.  Juan Francia advanced Cavagnaro with a bunt, and Cavagnaro swiped third before motoring home on Erick Monzon’s single to left.  A wild pitch moved Monzon into scoring position, and Navarrete singled him to third.  John Rodriguez got the third run home with a fielder’s choice grounder.

A two-run homer by Reggie Taylor in the bottom of the third off Sidney Ponson brought Lancaster back to within one, and Mulhern tied the game with a solo shot to right center in the fifth.

Long Island did not have another threat against Hall, who retired 15 of 16 in one stretch, but they did take the lead back on Monzon’s fourth homer of the season, a solo blast to right center with one out in the eighth.  Hall yielded only six hits in the game while walking one and striking out three in the longest performance by a Barnstormers pitcher this season.

Meanwhile, Lancaster had numerous opportunities, including the seventh when the loaded the bases on a single by Taylor and walks to Mulhern and Gaetti.  Johnson grounded into a double play, stranding two of the 15 mean Lancaster marooned in the game.

Jason Simontacchi (1-3) worked a perfect ninth for the Barnstormers to earn the win.

The two teams meet for the rubber game of the three-game series on Sunday afternoon at 1:30.  Ben Fritz (0-2) will make the start for the Barnstormers against Randy Leek (7-1).  Tickets are available through www.lancasterbarnstormer.com or by stopping into the box office.  It is a Lancaster General Health Family Fun Day.  Families can play catch on the field prior to the game, and kids will have the opportunity to run the bases afterward.  Fans will also have the chance to get autographs from some of their favorite Barnstormers players prior to the start of the afternoon’s play.

NOTES:  Perry was hit by a pitch and walked, extending his on-base streak to 26…He lost his hitting streak at nine…Gutierrez and Mulhern have each hit safely in six straight…Gutierrez needs one more hit to move into a tie for 10th place all-time in Atlantic League history…It was Lancaster’s second win this season when trailing after eight innings…The other came at Camden on May 10…Monzon is 6-for-9 this series and 10-for-17 against the Barnstormers overall in 2010.

Both teams traded runs in each the fourth and the fifth innings. Long Island’s John Rodriguez was walked to start the fourth and was driven in on a base hit by Johnny Hernandez. Camden answered swiftly as Richie Robnett singled to lead off the inning, stole second, and advanced to third due to a Long Island error. Two batters later Brian Burgamy hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score Robnett.

Long Island’s second run, scored in the fifth, came from a fielder’s choice to drive in Matt Cavagnaro who singled earlier in the inning. Again, Camden evened the scoreboard during their next at bat. Leading off the fifth inning and tying the contest at two runs a piece was Raul Padron who blasted a solo homer to the top of the scoreboard.

The Sharks picked up another run in the bottom of the sixth, but it was not enough to hold off the Long Island offense. Hernandez and Brenden Monaghan each were driven in during the top of the seventh, giving the visiting Ducks a 4-3 lead that would hold for the remainder of game four.

The Riversharks last attempts came in the ninth. Chris Malec led off with a single, and proceeded to advance to third on Walker’s base hit to right field. Kyle Haines tried to keep the game alive lining the ball to Billy Kovatch who made a diving catch and got the ball in quickly to hold Malec at third. Garrett Guzman popped out to catcher to conclude the game.

Camden will begin their next series tomorrow evening against the Bridgeport Bluefish at home for a three game home stand. For ticket information call 1-866-SHARKS-9. If you cannot make it to our game, make sure you listen to our live radio broadcast or keep up to date with Facebook and Twitter. Visit the Riversharks homepage and click on the corresponding link on the right hand side of the page.

The Riversharks jumped out to an early lead in this match up.  Chris Walker had a leadoff single in the bottom of the first.  Kyle Haines followed, reaching first with a base on balls.  Garrett Guzman proceeded to hit an RBI single into center field to score Walker, his 33^rd runs of the season.  Two batters later, Jason Botts and Brian Burgamy would drive in the remaining runs of the inning off a fielder’s choice and a sacrifice fly to center field.

The next four innings were quiet until each team tacked on a run in the sixth inning, keeping the Ducks’ deficit at three heading into the final few frames.  Long Island’s run came after Camden had cleared the bases, courtesy of a 6-4-3 double play.  Matt Esquivel advanced to first on a base on balls followed by Robinson Cancel doubling to drive in the run.  The sixth inning score for the Sharks came from Chris Malec scoring due to the error on second baseman, Juan Francia.

Camden extended their lead the following inning to 6-1, complements of a Brian Burgamy 2 RBI home run.  This was Burgamy’s second home run in six games and would seal the victory in game three.

The final game of the Long Island series will be played tomorrow with a special start time at 11am.  Josh Brey of the Camden Riversharks will take the mound against Jake Dittler of the visiting Long Island Ducks.  For more information or to purchase tickets call 1-866-SHARKS-9 or visit www.riversharks.com.

“Julio will be an excellent addition to our ballclub,” says Ducks manager Dave LaPoint. “We are excited to see what he can do on the mound for us.”

Guerrero will begin his 12^th season of professional baseball. The righty spent the 2009 season with the Camden Riversharks, and posted a 1-5 record with a 4.80 ERA while appearing in 63 games. Guerrero also pitched for Camden in 2008 after spending the 2006 and 2007 seasons with the Road Warriors.

The 29-year-old previously was a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates organization for seven years. His best season came in 2003, when he split time with the Hickory Crawdads and the Lynchburg Hillcats. Guerrero posted a 9-4 record with a 3.61 ERA in 34 games (three starts). The Dominican Republic native has a career record of 55-47 with a 4.21 ERA in 390 appearances (69 starts). Guerrero was originally signed as a nondrafted free agent by the Pirates in 1999.

The Long Island Ducks play their home games at Suffolk County Sports Park and are in their 11^th season of play. Individual game tickets for the Ducks 2010 season are on sale now. For tickets, stop by the Suffolk County Sports Park Box Office, log on to www.liducks.com, or call (631) 940-TIXX. Season tickets, 10-Game Mini Plans and group outings are also currently available by calling (631) 940-3825.

“Ducks baseball clinics are a fantastic experience for any child looking to play on a professional field while learning from the pros themselves,” says Ducks general manager Michael Pfaff.  “The experience each camper gains will be an invaluable part of their growth as baseball players.”

Clinics are open to children between the ages of seven and 14.  For just $195, campers get two days of instruction, lunch each day of the camp, an equipment bag and a Ducks Kids Clinic jersey. Just bring your glove and a bat, and be ready to play, rain or shine!

The first clinic session takes place on Friday, July 16 and Saturday, July 17. Session two will begin on Friday, August 6, and end on Saturday, August 7. Each camp day runs from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., and campers should arrive no later than 8:45 a.m. each day.

To sign up for the Ducks Kids Clinics and a chance to play alongside some of baseball’s all-time greats, print and fill out the registration form and return it by mail it to:

Long Island Ducks

C/O Youth Baseball Clinics

3 Court House Dr.

Central Islip, N.Y. 11722

You can also sign up by calling (631) 940-DUCK or by faxing the registration form to (631) 940-3800.

The Long Island Ducks play their home games at Suffolk County Sports Park and are in their 11^th season of play. Individual game tickets for the Ducks 2010 season are on sale now! For tickets, stop by the Suffolk County Sports Park Box Office, log on to www.liducks.com, or call (631) 940-TIXX. Season tickets, 10-Game Mini Plans and group outings are also currently available by calling (631) 940-DUCK.

Following are the dates and promotions for each game during the homestand:

Tuesday, June 8, 6:35 vs. Camden (5:35 gates) – CLICK HERE TO BUY TIX!

Come to the ballpark for “Tuesdays with Tanger!” Every Tuesday, Ducks staffers will be handing out FREE $10 gift cards to Tanger Outlets at the Arches.

Wednesday, June 9, 6:35 vs. Camden (5:35 gates) – CLICK HERE TO BUY TIX!

Ducks staff members will be handing out coupons for a FREE Frosty Float from Wendy’s! You might even get the chance to meet Wendy herself at the ballpark!

Thursday, June 10, 6:35 vs. Camden (5:35 gates) – CLICK HERE TO BUY TIX!

T-shirts, courtesy of Port Jefferson Sporting Goods (first 1,500 fans)

Ducks staffers will also be handing out coupons to Carrabba’s Italian Grill as part of Thursdays with Carrabba’s!

Friday, June 11, 7:05 vs. Lancaster (6:05 gates) – CLICK HERE TO BUY TIX!

Postgame Grucci Fireworks Extravaganza, presented by MetroPCS.

All fans will also have a chance to win free food as part of the Friday Night K-Man promotion, sponsored by Pizza Hut!

Saturday, June 12, 1:05 vs. Lancaster (12:05 gates) – CLICK HERE TO BUY TIX!

Autograph Books, courtesy of Newsday (first 1,500 fans)

Fans will be invited onto the field for a pre-game autograph session with the 2010 Long Island Ducks as well as following the game for Kids Run the Bases, courtesy of Bethpage Federal Credit Union.

Saturday, June 12, 7:05 vs. Lancaster (6:05 gates) – CLICK HERE TO BUY TIX!

Italian Heritage Night and Soccer Balls, presented by Sons of Italy (first 1,500 fans)

Staff members from the Ducks will also be handing out Dick’s Sporting Goods coupons for $10 off a $50 purchase as part of “Saturdays with Dick’s!”

Sunday, June 13, 1:35 vs. Lancaster (12:35 gates) - CLICK HERE TO BUY TIX!
Carol Silva Bobbleheads, presented by News 12.

Autograph Sundays and Kids Run the Bases Sundays, presented by Bethpage Federal Credit Union. Prior to the game, fans are invited down to the field to get autographs from your favorite Ducks players, and following the game, kids will have the chance to run the bases at the Duck Pond!
Individual game tickets for the Ducks 2010 season are on sale now! For tickets, stop by the Suffolk County Sports Park Box Office, log on to www.liducks.com, or call (631) 940-TIXX. Season tickets, 10-Game Mini Plans and group outings are also currently available by calling (631) 940-3825.

The Ducks jumped in front early on Ray Navarrete’s RBI double down the third base line, giving Long Island the game’s first run.

The visiting team was relentless throughout the game adding to their lead with three runs in the third, one in the seventh and an insurance run in the ninth.

The third inning had John Rodriguez doubling to drive in Erick Monzon, Robinson Cancel hitting a sacrifice fly to deep center field scoring Rodriguez, and Johnny Hernandez following with a single to drive in Dustin Mohr.

At the top of the seventh, Rodriguez capped off his day by hitting a solo homerun and finishing 2 for 4, with 2 RBI’s and 2 runs scored.

The Riversharks finally broke through their scoreless six innings.  Brian Burgamy reached first being hit by a Randy Leek pitch.  Two batters later, Chris Malec singled with a blooper into right field.  Raul Padron doubled into center field to drive in the first two runs for the home team cutting the deficit to 5-2.

Chris Walker led off the eighth with a single and followed with a stolen base, and advanced to third on a fly out by Garrett Guzman, finally scoring on a single by Jason Botts.  This inning concluded the Riversharks scoring.  The Ducks tacked on their final run in the ninth giving them a 6-3 victory in game two of the series.

The Camden Riversharks continue the home series against the Long Island Ducks tomorrow evening at 7:05pm.  For more information or to purchase tickets please call 1-866-SHARKS-9 or visit us online at www.riversharks.com.

To lead off the bottom of the first, Chris Walker reached on an error by second baseman, Bridget Hunt.  He proceeded to steal second then advanced to third on Kyle Haines’ bunt.  Walker was driven in by Garrett Guzman who was put out at first on a fielder’s choice.  Richie Robnett singled to center field to advance Guzman who would be driven in during the next at bat on Jason Botts’ base hit.

The Ducks answered back after a few innings of play to tie the game.  Johnny Hernandez struck with a two run homer placed just over the right field wall in the fourth.  Long Island gained the lead in the sixth with Brenden Monaghan doubling to score Hernandez who walked prior during his at bat. Ryan McKeller entered the game for the Riversharks and proceeded to strike out the next two batters to keep the deficit at one.

Camden swiftly tacked on another two runs in the next half inning then secured the win with four more in the seventh driven in by Guzman on a sacrifice fly, Robnett on a fielder’s choice, and singles from both Brian Burgamy and Chris Malec.

The Camden Riversharks continue their four game series against the Long Island Ducks tomorrow night at 7:05pm.  Tomorrow evening is KIDS EAT FREE night at Campbell’s Field.  Steve Hammond will take the mound for the Camden Riversharks against Long Island’s Randy Leek.  For more information or to purchase tickets please call 1,-866-SHARKS-9 or visit us online at www.riversharks.com.

Leek isn’t as sure in his ability to make it back to a club affiliated with a major league franchise. The 33-year-old lefty said his age might preclude teams from signing him since his last full season at Triple-A came with St. Louis’ top farm team in 2006.

“I think I’m a little old and I don’t scouts are really looking at me,” Leek said two days after pitching seven innings without allowing an earned run against the two-time defending champion Somerset Patriots. “I always believe in the back of my mind that there’s a chance. I still believe I can get big league hitters out.”

Leek’s performance might make it difficult for scouts to ignore the local Levittown, N.Y. product. The southpaw leads the Atlantic League in wins thanks to a 6-1 start that has him on pace to set career-highs in victories and strikeouts.

Against the Patriots, Leek struck out three and walked just one in lowering his ERA to 3.28. The effort was indicative of his career—Leek’s has a strikeout-to-walk ration of greater than 3-to-1.

Compared to other Atlantic League players who have signed with major league teams this season, Leek is also relatively young. The Oakland Athletics signed John Halama, the 38-year-old former Ducks starter, off the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs roster earlier in May.

Leek is in his fourth season with the Ducks and surpassed Lance Davis for the most wins in team history, carrying 36 into his next scheduled start on Wednesday. But milestones haven’t enticed teams to come calling yet, forcing Leek to see if a need arises that will bring a phone call and a trip to Double or Triple-A.

“A lot of times that’s beyond your control,” Leek said. “At this point in my career, it’s going to be tough to get back and I understand that. I still enjoy playing and I’m going to try and finish out the year on a positive note.”

Leek’s previous chance to make an impression came in an abbreviated two-start outing for Toronto’s Triple-A Syracuse squad late in the 2007 campaign.

Despite going 5-1 with a 2.83 ERA down the stretch for the Ducks that year, Leek was rocked for 10 runs in 8 1/3 innings in two no-decisions before being released. Leek has gone 29-14 for the Ducks since then.

He shrugged off the difficulties of creating a positive impression in less than a fortnight’s time and said his only regret was the poor timing of his struggles.

“What was frustrating about them was how poorly I pitched,” Leek said about his time in Syracuse. “Those were my two worst starts of the year. I just picked a bad time to have them.”

Dave LaPoint has managed or coached Leek every season since joining the Ducks. LaPoint said Leek’s ability to throw strikes (876 career strikeouts versus 267 walks) has earned the trust of his teammates

LaPoint also said Leek and Joselo Diaz have anchored a rotation that features three starters—Sidney Ponson, Jake Dittler and Rick Bauer—who are trying to become consistent fixtures as the Ducks aim for its first championship since 2004.

“With him [Lee], the team is confident and basically what that means is that they’re relaxed and go about their job without any pressure on them,” LaPoint said.

Ray Navarrete joined the Ducks one season before Leek. Like his long-tenured teammate, Navarrete also broke a major team record when he moved past Doug Jennings for the most RBIs in Ducks history.

Navarrete said Leek’s on-field track record and his background as a Long Island native makes him a leader-by-example. Now all that’s left is to clinch a seventh straight postseason appearance and its first playoff series victory since 2004.

“I’m sure he takes pride in wearing the uniform too, especially growing up here,” Navarrete said. “It’s a special place and it seems like Randy and I have accomplished a lot. The one thing on the resume that we haven’t won together on Long Island is a championship.

“We’re excited about whatever records we get but we want to win a championship and I’m sure Randy feels the same way.”

Leek said outside of a major league job, pitching for the Ducks allows him to live at home and stay with his wife and son.

“I can have fun with them and even when I go on the road, it’s close by. I’m not traveling across the country so this is definitely the best situation for me,” Leek said.

Like Navarrete, Leek said he views himself as a leader. But the soft-spoken hurler added that he prefers to inspire his teammates with his on-field actions.

“I try and go about my business and do things the right away and if people look up to that, great,” Leek said. “I’m not a loud rah-rah, ‘let’s go get them’ guy. I get my work in and I try to be a good teammate as well.”

LaPoint pitched 11 major league seasons and has worked with Leek for nearly a half-decade. Both experiences helped developed a rapport between the two.

“He knows my mechanics now really well,” Leek said. “He sees that I might be dropping my arm a little bit or just doing something a little wrong out there that’s not me and he picks it up right away and comes over and says something. He’s been a big part of my success here.”

The Ducks opened the scoring in the third against Blue Crabs’ starter Dan Reichert, when Johnny Hernandez smacked a leadoff home run over the right field wall. Long Island tacked on another run in the following inning as Dustan Mohr’s double to left scored Ray Navarrete, who began the frame with a single.

The offense didn’t stop there as the Ducks put together a two-out rally in the fifth. Following back-to-back singles by Billy Kovatch and Erick Monzon, Navarrete lined a two-run double into the right field corner to extend the lead to 4-0.

The Blue Crabs clawed their way back in the sixth against Ducks’ starter Joselo Diaz. Kody Kirkland singled with two outs and came around to score on an error, pulling the Crabs within three. Southern Maryland then scored twice more in the seventh, with RBI singles from Shaun Cumberland and Kirkland doing the damage.

Long Island got two runs right back in the bottom of the frame as Navarrete lined a two-run single to left, scoring Hernandez and Kovatch, who both singled, to put the Ducks ahead 6-3. The offensive onslaught continued in the eighth when Monzon lined a two-run base hit to center after Crabs’ reliever Joe Newby walked the bases loaded.

Diaz (3-1) earned the victory, tossing six and one-third innings, allowing just two hits and three unearned runs, while striking out five. Reichert (3-4) suffered the loss, lasting six and two-thirds innings, surrendering nine hits and six runs (five earned). Three relievers bridged the gap to Kane Davis, who pitched a scoreless ninth to end the game.

Long Island collected ten hits in the victory. Navarrete led the charge for the Flock with three hits while Hernandez, Kovatch, and Monzon each picked up two.

The Ducks hit the road for a seven-game road trip beginning on Monday against the Camden Riversharks. Game time is set for 4:05 p.m. at Campbell’s Field. Fans can tune into all the action live via streaming webcast at www.liducks.com with Casey Lynn calling the play-by-play.

Long Island returns to Suffolk County Sports Park on Tuesday, June 8th to welcome in the Riversharks for a three-game series. Game time is set for 6:35 p.m., with the Suffolk County Sports Park gates opening at 5:35 p.m. Tickets to the game and all upcoming Ducks home games are available at the Suffolk County Sports Park Box Office, by calling (631) 940-TIXX, or by logging onto www.liducks.com and clicking on the tickets icon at the top of the page.

Navarette on the RBI Record

Conventional wisdom would suggest a patient approach for Southern Maryland to drive up the pitch count and face overworked relievers. But Southern Maryland employed an aggressive strategy against Ducks right-hander Jake Dittler on Saturday night.

The Blue Crabs jumped out to six first-pitch singles against Dittler to cap a four-run fifth inning as the Duck fell, 6-2, in front of 6,904 fans at Suffolk County Sports Park.

Jarrett Grube threw seven shutout innings to make the lead stand up, holding the Atlantic League-leading Ducks to just five hits while striking out seven.

The Ducks committed three errors in losing for just the fourth time in the last 13 games. Southern Maryland moved within two games of Long Island in the Liberty Division.

Grube threw seven scoreless innings in a no-decision against the Ducks at home on May 1 in a game the Blue Crabs won, 1-0. He is now 1-0 with 14 strikeouts against three walks in 14 innings against the Ducks this season.

“We haven’t scored a run off of Grube in two games so he gets all the credit,”
Ducks manager Dave LaPoint said.

Joe Valentine’s mid-week departure to the Mexican League left LaPoint with just six relievers as the Ducks try to sign another arm for the bullpen. LaPoint said he has been hesitant to use closer Kane Davis on back-to-back days, further limiting the middle-relief options.

The Blue Crabs instead used a free-swinging approach to break open a scoreless game in the fifth. Shaun Cumberland, Richard Giannotti and Christian Lopez each reached on first-pitch singles to start the inning. Cumberland bunted in front of the pitcher’s mound and Dittler couldn’t field it cleanly.

“That was an ambush that inning,” LaPoint said. “The biggest play in that inning is him not fielding the bunt that he probably should have [had].”

Kody Kirkland actually took a pitch before delivering a RBI ground out for a 2-0 lead. Casey Benjamin followed with a first-pitch single to right. John Rodriguez misplayed the ball in right for an error that allowed Benjamin to reach third.

Patrick Osborn and Matt Craig followed with base hits on the first pitch. Osborn’s single made it 4-0.

“They weren’t trying to pull him,” LaPoint said. “It was a great approach by them. Usually it’s harder to get your team to do that. He was throwing strikes and it was perfect timing.”

Dittler (2-2) recovered to throw a scoreless sixth and finished with a line of four earned runs on nine hits in six innings. Dittler was coming off his best start of the season when he held Newark to one run in eight innings on May 23. Against the Blue Crabs, the 6-foot-4 Dittler struck out five and walked one.

“He’ll run off a stretch of five or good starts and then have a bad one,” LaPoint said. “When gets the confidence level up, he’s a pretty good pitcher.”

The Ducks mustered two hits off Grube in the first but the righty stranded a pair in scoring position by striking out Matt Padgett. Grube would not allow another hit until the sixth and struck out the side in the third to move to 3-2.

“He keeps the ball down and he’s not afraid to throw a slider when he’s behind in the count,” LaPoint said. “He’s been like this for three years. Why he’s still here, who knows? He’s one of the best in the league.”

Southern Maryland tacked on two seventh-inning insurance runs off Ivan Maldonado in the seventh.

Matt Cavagnaro greeted reliever Chris Mobley with an eighth-inning home run to right. Cavagnaro’s blast near the line was his second home run and first since April 29 against Somerset.

Reliever Bill White, who allowed runs in his last two outings, entered in the top of the eighth and struck out the side in order.

After splitting the first two games, the Ducks will try to win the three-game series with a Sunday matinee. Joselo Diaz (2-1, 1.72 ERA) is expected to get the start for the Ducks against fellow right-hander Dan Reichert (3-3, 4.82) in the 1:35 p.m. contest.

Ray Navarrete’s solo homer over the left field wall off Crabs’ starter Kenny Rayborn broke a scoreless tie in the home fourth inning. The lead didn’t last long as Southern Maryland tied it up against Ducks’ starter Rick Bauer in the subsequent inning on an Octavio Martinez RBI single.

The Ducks fought back with another run in the top of the fifth when John Rodriguez’ bases loaded walk brought home Johnny Hernandez, who led off the frame with a double.

Long Island padded their lead in the home sixth as Dustan Mohr blasted his first home run of the season, giving the Flock a 3-1 lead, which they never relinquished.

Bauer (2-3) earned the victory, tossing six innings, allowing one run, while striking out six. Rayborn (2-3) suffered the loss, lasting six innings, surrendering five hits and three runs, with three strikeouts. Joe Esposito bridged the gap to Kane Davis, who picked up his sixth save of the season with a perfect ninth inning.

The Ducks continue their weekend series against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs on Saturday night. Game time is set for 7:05 p.m. with the Suffolk County Sports Park gates opening at 6:05. Following the game, all fans will be treated to a Grucci Fireworks Extravaganza, presented by Getty. Jake Dittler gets the start for the Ducks against the Blue Crabs’ Jarrett Grube. Fans can tune into all the action live via streaming webcast at www.liducks.com with Chris King calling the play-by-play.

Tickets to the game and all upcoming Ducks home games are available at the Suffolk County Sports Park Box Office, by calling (631) 940-TIXX, or by logging onto www.liducks.com and clicking on the tickets icon at the top of the page.

Duck Tales … With a solo homer in the fourth inning, Ray Navarrete smoked his fourth dinger of the season. Ray now has four goners in his first six games. Navarrete had 25 long balls last season, which was second in the Atlantic League behind Blue Crabs’ center fielder Jeremy Owens…Dustan Mohr’s home run in the sixth was his first of the season. Mohr has 49 career major league home runs, which is the most on the Ducks’ current roster…In the seventh inning, Ducks’ reliever Joe Esposito made his 100^th career minor league appearance. Esposito did it in style, firing one and one-third scoreless innings, lowering his ERA to 2.53.

The first two weeks of August nearly derailed the Ducks quest for a fifth straight Atlantic League playoff berth. But the subsequent fortnight is helping the Flock gain an edge of Bridgeport in the wild card race, continuing with a 12-3 victory Sunday over York.

George Lombard’s torrid hitting continued with a two-run home run to support Troy Cate’s strong effort. The Ducks opened the scoring on a second-inning RBI groundout and extended the edge to 3-0 an inning later when Lombard followed Ray Navarette’s walk by taking Dan Foli’s pitch deep to left.

Lombard’s blast marked his seventh homer in just 28 games. Cate made those runs stand up, limiting the Revolution to just two runs on six hits in six innings as the Ducks capped a six-game home stand with four victories and series wins over York and Bridgeport.

Including the final two July games, the Ducks lost eight in a row and 12 of 13 this month to drop to 13-19 as of Aug. 14. The Ducks responded by winning six in a row and have now won eight of the past10 to make it back to .500. Thanks to a strong first-half record, the Ducks surged 5 ½ games ahead of Bridgeport in the overall wild card standings with 38 games remaining.

“Right now, we’re all playing the game the right way and everyone is swinging the bat well,” Lombard said.

The Ducks scored in every inning except the first and eighth. A four-run sixth turned the contest into a blowout and improved Cate to 9-4.

Lombard’s play continued to help the Ducks achieve a previously elusive consistency level. The former Atlanta Brave went 1-4 Sunday and is batting .373. A mid-July free agent pickup, Lombard carried a .621 slugging percentage and .469 on-base percentage into the game to emerge as a capable replacement for Preston Wilson, who is on the inactive list with a season-ending shoulder injury.

“I get my work in and just go up there and try to have a quality at-bat every time,” Lombard said. “I’ve never been a numbers guy. The first year I was drafted, I hit a buck-40, so I’ve never been caught up in stats.

“Stats don’t mean a thing until the season is over when you can look back and reflect on your year.”

As a 18-year-old second-round pick, Lombard batted .140 in 40 games for Atlanta’s Single-A Gulf Cost Braves rookie league in 1994. But the 6-0 left-handed bat developed quickly and said he is working closely with coach Kevin Baez and manager Gary Carter. Lombard said he is looking to make it back to the big leagues for the first time since he played for the Nationals in 2006.

Lombard, a six-year major league veteran, is slugging at a clip. His numbers at Citibank Park are even more impressive. The one-time Rays, Tigers and Nationals corner outfielder started the afternoon with a staggering 1.000 slugging percentage and .646 on-base percentage at home. Six of his seven home runs have come at Citibank Park in just 13 home games

“It’s a good place to hit,” Lombard said. “The lighting is good at home plate and it’s your home field, so you can come out and do your early work. I feel more comfortable here.”

Navarrete finished 3-4 with two runs scored while Brooklyn native Johnny Hernandez provided plenty of insurance runs, logging three hits and three runs in five at-bats along with two RBIs as the Ducks pounded out 19 hits.

Lew Ford started the evening as the league’s leading hitter. The ex-Minnesota Twin went 1-4. Hernandez opened the scoring by lacing a leadoff single to start the second and scoring on Matt Cavagnaro’s RBI groundout.

Following Lombard’s long ball, the Ducks scored twice in the fourth and fifth innings before Hernandez added a two-run single through the right side in the sixth. Cavagnaro, who racked up three RBIs, drove in another run on a groundout while Rob Sandora also added a RBI single.

Three Ducks reliever pitched one inning reach to close the win and send the Ducks on a seven-game road trip through Camden and Newark with momentum.

While the Ducks didn’t win the first half division crown, quality pitching propelled the club to a first-place start in the second half. But the Ducks will need to demonstrate resiliency again after the Blue Jays signed Troy Cate to a minor league deal Friday.

Cate earned the ace moniker following Ray’s departure, recording a team-high seven wins. The lefthander was 7-2 with a 3.23 ERA that was lowest among starting pitchers. The left-hander won his fourth straight start and held opposing batters to a .224 batting average against in 78 innings. Cate will be assigned to the Eastern League’s Double-A New Hampshire franchise, becoming the fifth Ducks this season to sign with an affiliated organization.

“We couldn’t be happier for Troy and wish him the best in this great opportunity,” Ducks manager Gary Carter said. “He was really dialed in as of late and we’re excited that he will have the chance to get back to the big leagues.”

Cate’s signing continued to deplete the Ducks original starting rotation. Ray is still in Indians farm system while Opening Day starter Brad Halsey was released July 1. The front office hasn’t sought much outside help. Reliever Cory Doyne is the only pitcher signed this month, leaving pitching coach Dave LaPoint and the rest of the coaching staff to look for in-house replacements.

“He’s pitched well all year and has been one of the better pitchers in the league,” pitching coach Dave LaPoint said. “For us as a team, it was crippling because right now they aren’t a lot of names out there that we can replace him with.”

Ray started 4-0, earning victories in all but one of his starts before going to Triple-A Columbus May 27. The former Atlanta Brave is struggling for the Clippers, starting 2-5 with a 8.67 ERA. Like Ray, Cate is also an ex-big leaguer. The one-time Cincinnati Reds hurler will be looking to return to the majors for the first time since 2007.

“We’ve had to get on the horn and try to call as many people as we can,” LaPoint said. “We need a guy who can throw strikes like Troy did. We can’t hire any more guys who are going to be wild and keep taxing the bullpen.”

The pitching staff will get a rest thanks to Monday’s off-day after Bridgeport completed a three-game sweep at Citibank Park. The Ducks will look to regroup when it hosts first-half division winner Southern Maryland in a three-game series with the Blue Crabs trailing the Flock by a single game.

But starting pitcher Randy Leek was the victim of the Ducks first offensive cold spell since the season’s midway point. Leek limited Bridgeport to just one earned run in striking out a            season-high eight batters in eight innings.

The effort was not good enough as a Bluefish starter pitcher once again dominated. One night after Dan Reichert pitched a complete game shutout, Matt Pike struck out eight in logging a season-high seven innings to hand the Ducks a 4-3 loss in front of 6,305 fans at Citibank Park.

Ray Navarrete lifted a first-inning solo home run to left and Johnny Hernandez tagged Pike for a two-run triple in the second before the Bluefish continued to toss up zeros on the scoreboard. The Ducks will not face Bridgeport ace Esteban Yan this weekend, though the club has been shutout in 16 out of 18 innings this series and will look to avoid a three-game sweep to its division rivals.

Pitching coach Dave LaPoint filled in for manager and Hall of Famer Gary Carter, who is in Cooperstown for Sunday’s induction ceremonies. LaPoint left the clubhouse before reporters could interview him.

Preston Wilson struggled with stepdad and former Met outfielder Mookie Wilson in attendance, striking out four times from the cleanup spot. The Ducks entered the series winners of eight of its previous nine before losing two games in a row for the first time since July 14.

Former major leaguer Hector Carrasco saved Pike’s victory by surviving a tension-packed ninth. The righty induced two fly outs before walking Juan Francia and Hernandez to put the tying and winning runs on base. Navarrete worked the count to 3-1 before taking two strikes to end the game on an anticlimactic note as Carrasco picked up his first save for Bridgeport.

Leek dropped to 6-7 while Pike improved to 5-5.

Bridgeport used speed to open the scoring. Leadoff hitter Adam Greenberg placed a flawless bunt to second for an infield single before advancing on a sacrifice bunt. Luis Lopez’s RBI double drove in Greenberg to give Bridgeport the lead.

Navarrete tied the game in the bottom of the inning, smashing his team-leading 15th home run off the Stalco advertisement to the left of the scoreboard.

A two-out second-inning rally gave the Ducks its only lead. Eighth-hitting Rob Sandora’s single started the rally after two fly outs. Juan Francia walked and scored when Hernandez ripped Pike’s offering just beyond Greenberg’s diving attempt in right-centerfield.

Poor defense contributed to Bridgeport’s eventual game-winning outburst. Leek walked Brandon Sing to lead off the fourth before striking out Jesse Hoorelbeke. Sing took off for second on the strikeout pitch but stopped midway between first and second.

Francia, playing shortstop, took the throw at second but hit Sing with the baseball on the throw back to first to thwart what should have been a double play. Instead, the Bluefish lined back-to-back singles to load the bases before a sacrifice fly and Shea Harris’ two-run single to right handed Bridgeport a 4-3 lead.

Francia’s throw was charged an error two innings limited Leek’s line to just one earned run after the Levittown native settled down and retired 11 straight batters before Ducks reliever Joe Valentine struck out the side in order in the ninth.

Leek’s line was aided by a throwing error that made all three of Bridgeport’s fourth inning runs unearned. The Levittown native still pitched the furthest into a game this season, keeping the bullpen well rested, striking out six of the last 11 batters he faced.

The Flock continued their early game dominance this season as they cracked the scoreboard first in the home first.  Ray Navarrete doubled down the left field line and came around to score as Estee Harris’ RBI double found a gap in right center to make it 1-0 Ducks.

Ducks’ starter Randy Leek and Stormers’ hurler Jason Scobie kept the scoreboard unchanged over the next four innings.  Leek retired six in a row at one point, including a perfect fifth.  Scobie matched Leek as he retired six of the seven batters he faced between the second and third innings.

Lancaster reached Leek in the sixth.  Lloyd Turner drilled a two-out triple into right field followed by a Michael Woods’ two-run shot to left field and the Barnstormers pushed ahead 2-1.

Long Island came back with a pair in the bottom of the eighth after Leek and Scobie turned the game over to the bullpens.  Juan Francia walked and Lew Ford dropped a single into shallow center to put runners on the corners.  Preston Wilson plated Francia on a RBI single and the game was square at two.  Estee Harris walked to load the bases and Victor Rodriguez plated the go ahead run with a sacrifice fly and the Ducks were on top 3-2.

Leek did not factor in the decision as he fired a season-high seven and two-thirds innings, allowing two runs and seven hits, while striking out five. Joe Valentine picked up the win working one-third of an inning and Bill Simas locked up his league-best 15th save with a scoreless ninth.

The Long Island Ducks and the Lancaster Barnstormers conclude their series on Thursday night.  Game time is set for 7:05 with the Citibank Park gates opening at 6:05 p.m. The first 1,500 fans through the gates will receive Quack to the Future T-Shirts, presented by Island Screen Print.  Julio Manon takes the mound for the Ducks against the Stormers’ Trey Hodges.  Fans can tune into all the action live via streaming webcast at www.liducks.com, with Casey Lynn calling the play-by-play. Tickets to the game and all upcoming Ducks home games are available at the Citibank Park Box Office, by calling (631) 940-TIXX, or by logging onto www.liducks.com and clicking on the tickets icon at the top of the page.

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The Barnstormers cracked the scoreboard first in the top of the third with four runs on four hits.  Back-to-back singles to start the frame followed by a walk loaded the bases against Ducks’ starter Jack Dittler.  A two-run single by Aaron Herr and a Jed Morris two RBI double gave the Barnstormers an early 4-0 advantage.

The Ducks came right back in the home half of the third with five runs on three hits.  Luis Taveras made his Flock debut drawing a one out walk.  After Juan Francia singled and Lew Ford walked to load the bases, Matt Cavagnaro ripped a two-run double down the left field line scoring Tavares and Francia.  Ray Navarrete walked to again load the bases and Preston Wilson cleared the bags with a double to deep center and Long Island moved ahead, 5-4.

Lancaster added two more runs in the fourth off Ducks’ reliever Robert Paulk (1-4), who replaced Dittler.  A pair of wild pitches plated the first run and Matt Watson drilled a RBI triple scoring Michael Woods and the Barnstormers took a one run lead.

Reliever Ron Flores entered to close out the fourth and worked a scoreless fifth, but Lancaster tacked on two more in the sixth.  Another wild pitch led to a run followed by a RBI single off the bat of Michael Campbell and the lead grew to three runs.  Campbell’s RBI double in the eighth plated a big insurance run to make it 9-5 Lancaster.

Juan Ovalles (2-4) got the win for the Barnstormers as he worked two and two-thirds innings in relief allowing one hit, while striking out a pair. Antonio Alfonseca recorded the save as he struck out Preston Wilson to end the game.

The Long Island Ducks continue their series with the Lancaster Barnstormers on Wednesday night.  Game time is set for 7:05 with the Citibank Park gates opening at 6:05 p.m. The first 1,500 fans through the gates will receive Magnetic Baseball Cards, presented by Underwriters Laboratories.  It will also be Fire Safety Night at the ballpark.  Fans can tune into all the action live via streaming webcast at www.liducks.com, with Casey Lynn calling the play-by-play. Tickets to the game and all upcoming Ducks home games are available at the Citibank Park Box Office, by calling (631) 940-TIXX, or by logging onto www.liducks.com and clicking on the tickets icon at the top of the page.

The Ducks struck first in the first off Blue Crabs’ starter Ryan Bicondoa using two base hits to plate a run.  Estee Harris led off the frame with a single and came home on a RBI single off the bat of Preston Wilson to make it 1-0 Flock.

The Blue Crabs came back with a run in the top of the second off Ducks’ hurler B.J. LaMura.  Three straight one-out hits, capped off by Octavio Martinez’ RBI single, tied the game at one.  In the third, James Shanks and Jeremy Owens hit back-to-back solo home runs to center field and pushed the lead to 3-1 Southern Maryland.

The ball kept flying out of Citibank Park in the home third.  Preston Wilson blasted his fifth homer to right field and plated Ray Navarrete, who was aboard after a leadoff single.  Wilson’s long ball knotted the game up at 3-3.

Both starters kept the scoreboard unblemished before the game was turned over to the bullpens.  LaMura exited in the sixth followed by reliever Cory Doyne, who made his Ducks debut working a scoreless seventh, and Joe Valentine with a perfect eighth.  Bicondoa left the mound in the seventh followed by Derrick Ellison and Mike James with a scoreless eighth.

In the ninth, Bill Simas (4-2) entered the game recording the first two outs.  John Ramistella reached on an error on Ducks’ shortstop Juan Francia and came around to score on a single and a wild pitch to push Southern Maryland ahead 4-3 for good.  Mike Hensley (1-1) worked a scoreless ninth for his sixth save.

The Long Island Ducks continue their homestand and welcome the Lancaster Barnstormers for a three-game series beginning Tuesday night.  Game time is set for 7:05 with the Citibank Park gates opening at 6:05 p.m.  It’s the 3rd Annual Health Night and the first 1,500 fans will receive t-shirts, presented by North Shore LIJ/Southside Hospital.  Fans can tune into all the action live via streaming webcast at www.liducks.com, with Casey Lynn calling the play-by-play. Tickets to the game and all upcoming Ducks home games are available at the Citibank Park Box Office, by calling (631) 940-TIXX, or by logging onto www.liducks.com and clicking on the tickets icon at the top of the page.

Carter extended his trip yesterday for two prolonged arguments after the three-man umpiring crew overturned two controversial calls. One call went for the home team and the other helped Southern Maryland, though the Ducks second-half success rate stayed perfect as George Lombard belted two home runs in his debut in a 6-2 win over the Blue Crabs Sunday at Citibank Park.

Lombard, a former Dodgers outfielder, logged four RBIs and three runs scored to help the Ducks improve to 3-0 in the second half while moving his team in position to claim a four-game sweep over a team that clinched a playoff berth by winning the Liberty Division’s first half crown.

“I haven’t played in over two months or seen live pitching,” Lombard said. “You have nothing to lose. Just go out there and do what you’ve done for 15 years.

“I’m excited to have a uniform on and would like to get back to Major League Baseball. It’s just another obstacle people throw at you.”

Lombard broke open a 2-all tie with his three-run home run in the sixth in his 3-4 evening. That shot to right off Southern Maryland starter Keith Ramsey ended an inning that started in bizarre fashion. Ray Navarrete’s hard-hit ball down the third base line appeared to land foul, though umpire Mike Edwards ruled it fair and Navarrete slid into second for an apparent leadoff double.

But Blue Crabs manager Butch Hobson and other fielders argued the call and Edwards put up his hands to signal foul ball-reversing his decision without consulting other crew members. That prompted Carter to get into a heated argument, though the Hall of Fame catcher was not ejected.

“No, I’ve never seen anything like that before,” Carter said. “If you make a call, you got to stick by it. If you reverse it, without getting help, well, that’s the wrong thing.”

Navarrete flew out to center before the Ducks made the matter moot. Preston Wilson and Victor Rodriguez lined back-to-back singles before the lefty-hitting Lombard took Ramsey deep to put the Ducks ahead, 5-2.

Lombard added a eighth-inning insurance run, elevating a line drive that hooked just inside the rightfield foul ball. First base umpire Dan Wilson ruled the ball foul before Carter argued. This time, Wilson conferred with home plate umpire Dave Perry and the call was changed to a home run.

After the records re-set at the 140-game regular season’s midway point, the Ducks have outscored Southern Maryland 17-5 to move to 3-0. Randy Leek and Julio Manon provided two stellar starts to begin the second-half and lefty starter Troy Cate made it three strong starts in a row, allowing just two runs (one earned) in six innings to improve to 5-2.

“The bullpen as a whole to this point has been overused,” Carter said. “Now we got three solid, good performances from our starting pitching. If we can get that on a consistent basis, then we can rest our bullpen.”

Carter said the Ducks are in position to complete a sweep that might have long-term implications. He reference the 1986 Mets four-game sweep over St. Louis on the road from April 11-14 that year. In 1985, the Cardinals beat out the 98-win Mets team for the division crown en route to winning the National League pennant. But the Mets made a statement early next season that propelled them to postseason success, which is what Carter said he is hoping to achieve in his first season as Ducks manager.

“I remember [Mets manager] Davy Johnson telling us if we went in and proved to them in the first series that we can beat them, we’ll win this thing,” Carter said. “Sure enough, that’s the way it went. We just need to put a thought in their head.

“That’s all I’m thinking about is playoffs. I’m not counting our chickens before they hatch because anything can happen but that’s how I think. And that’s who [Southern Maryland] we would play.”

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.

The holiday crowd witnessed a 12-5 Bluefish win over the Ducks courtesy mainly of a 10-run second inning, which saw Bridgeport bat around while hitting two grand slams in the same frame.

Offensive stars for Long Island included Ray Navarrete (solo home run), Lew Ford (solo home run) and Johnny Hernandez, who had three hits. Robert Paulk delivered five and one-third innings of scoreless baseball in relief of starter B.J. LaMura (5-5).

The Ducks and Bluefish continue their series on Saturday. Game time is 7:05 p.m., and the Citibank Park gates open at 6:05 p.m. Jake Dittler makes the start for Long Island against Bridgeport’s Corey Lee. Following the game, all fans in attendance will be treated to a Grucci Fireworks Extravaganza, presented by Government Service Administrators. Fans can tune into all the action on WNYG 1440 AM or online at www.liducks.com, with Chris King and David Weiss calling the play-by-play. Tickets to the game and all upcoming Ducks home games are available at the Citibank Park Box Office, by calling (631) 940-TIXX, or by logging onto www.liducks.com and clicking on the tickets icon at the top of the page.

In the meantime, the Ducks will settle for a win after trailing 3-0 in the eighth. The Ducks scored twice in the ninth to send it to extra before Hernandez brought home John Pachot with the winning run against Jonathan Plefka (1-1).

Down two runs in the ninth, Victor Rodriguez reached on a one-out error when Todd Davison bobbled the ball. Two base hits sandwiched around strikeouts put the tying runs on base and booth advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch.

Pachot then hit a grounder down the third base line that Luis Lopez snared with a backhander. Rather than holding it, Lopez tried the low-percentage throw and his attempt skipped past first base, allowing Kyle Reynolds to score the inning’s second unearned run and tie the score at 3.

Manager Gary Carter nearly was ejected the next batter when Pachot, after advancing to second on another wild pitch, raced home from second when Juan Francia punched a single to left. The strong throw resulted in a bang-bang play and an out call, which caused Carter to jump in the air and scream in frustrating at what could have been the game-winning run.

A power surge temporarily knocked out the left-center field lights with two outs in the top of the sixth and the ensuing 1:08 delay ended a pitching duel prematurely. Cate and Bridgeport’s Kyle Jackson each allowed one base hit each before the rain swept over Citibank Park, leaving it to the bullpens.

Bridgeport finally opened the scoring with a three-run seventh, spoiling Cate’s dominating effort as the Bluefish posted a 3-0 victory. Cate struck out eight and walked just one in 5 2/3 innings. The lefty retired the first 10 Bluefish and faced the minimum through five innings before giving up a leadoff sixth inning walk.

Cate then struck out the next two batters before the delay. The left-center lights and scoreboard flashed on and off before the second strike on Shea Harris. Harris stayed at bat and struck out on the next pitch just as the lights went out in the scoreless game.

At that point the umpires called for the tarp as lightning flashed. Rain pelted the field for the next hour and Ron Flores was on the mound in relief of Cate when the teams returned 68 minutes later.

Flores got out of the sixth by inducing a pop out on one pitch. Yet the Ducks couldn’t muster any more offense despite the Bluefish going to the bullpen. Jackson picked up a no-decision, allowing one hit in five innings, striking out four while issuing zero walks.

The Ducks (34-29) trail first-place Southern Maryland by 5 1/2 games with seven games left for the first-half crown. All records re-set at the midway point, though the remaining first half games are still important should the Blue Crabs win the second half pennant as the best overall record determines a wild card entry.

Bridgeport (29-35) finally generated offense with the first four batters reaching base to start the seventh. Jesse Hoorelbeke lined a single to following a leadoff double and walk, loading the bases against the Ducks Rob Paulk.

With the infield playing in to cut off the run at home, Brandon Sing’s grounder skipped through the left side to plate Todd Davison with the first run while chasing Paulk. Jason Norderum came in and got a key strikeout before walking former Duck Ron Davenport to force in a run. Hoorelbeke scored Bridgeport’s third and final run on a wild pitch to cap the rally.

Cate’s effort came two days after the Ducks released Opening Day starter Brad Halsey. Halsey, a fellow southpaw, was 3-5 with a 5.86 ERA before his departure.

Julio Manon is the closest the Ducks have come to finding an ace, posting a 3-1 record and a rotation-best 3.29 ERA. Cate is the only Ducks starter with an ERA less than 4, making him a candidate to take over the No. 2 rotation spot and provide a lefty complement to Manon.

Halsey never found the consistency and didn’t miss many bats, allowing left-handed hitters to bat a collective .325 against him. The former Yankee prospect was jettisoned July 1 after allowing 73 hits in just 58 1/3 innings. Catcher Jamie Quinn, the team’s bullpen catcher, took Halsey’s roster spot after backup catcher Rob Sandora is out day-to-day with soreness in his leg.

But there were still plenty of smiles for the team’s four position players and two pitchers who were selected to represent the Ducks for the Liberty Division squad at Newark’s Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium. The Flock entered the four-day break riding momentum, posting an 8-2 record in the past 10 contests to move within three games of first-place Southern Maryland.

With 15 games remaining in the opening half race, Ray Navarrete said the respite will allow the Ducks to finish out the division race strong.

“Our confidence level in the clubhouse is at the highest point we’ve had,” Navarrete said before the game. “Anytime you get days off to rest and heel some injuries is good. It came at the perfect time.

“I really like our chances. We have a lot of special things ahead of us.”

Navarrete was making his second straight All-Star appearance in a Ducks uniform, hitting a two-run third inning home runs as the Liberty Division stormed back for three ninth-inning runs against Freedom Division closer Armando Benitez in a 7-5 come-from posted victory. After being a man without a defensive position the last two years, Navarrete moved to third base at the start of the season, going to a position in which he had little experience.

Manning the hot corner, Navarrete committed 10 errors but has looked more comfortable at the position. The former Mets prospect continued his torrid offense hitting, belting a team-best 10 home runs while driving in 34 runs.

“I’m grateful to be here today,” Navarrete said. “Third base has been a huge adjustment for me. I still have a long way to go before I turn into a good third baseman but it means a great deal to me.”

Earning an All-Star selection is an honor in any professional league, though Navarrete said he hopes he won’t have a chance to accomplish the feat a third consecutive year when the Ducks host the event in 2010.

“All of us, this is not our ultimate goal to continue to be in this league,” Navarrete said. “But if a lot of us don’t get the opportunity to get signed, this is the league in which we have to show our talents. Anytime our peers, coaches or media votes us in, you have to take pride in it because this is a great league with a lot of exceptional talent.”

Catcher John Pachot and rightfielder Estee Harris were the other Ducks to start the game while outfielder Johnny Hernandez entered for Harris in right in the top of the sixth. Pachot went 1-2 while Harris and Hernandez went a combined 0-5.

Joe Valentine, the club’s regular set-up man, entered in his customary eighth-inning and allowed a leadoff infield single before getting a strikeout.  Trailing 4-3, Liberty manager Butch Hobson then called on Ducks closer Bill Simas.

“It’s funny how it worked out,” Valentine said. “I knew I was going to face only one or two hitters and he [Simas] was going to come in because they wanted to get everyone into the game in front of the scouts.

“This is of course a more laid-back situation. For everybody promoting this area to get the fans back out here, I thought it was a great event.”

Simas induced a ground ball that first baseman Vito Chiaravolloti couldn’t field. The play was ruled a hit and put runners on the corners. Simas forced a slowly hit ball but it went far enough to allow Tom Collaro to score on the groundout, extending the Freedom Division’s lead to 5-3 heading into the ninth.

Before Benitez’s breakdown, Liberty manager Butch Hobson called on Simas in the eighth just to get him into the game in front of 20 scouts. Simas ended up needing to pitch the ninth, turning a five-out effort into a win. Hobson said Simas was OK with the extra workload and gave him permission for the extended duty. The Ducks do not resume play until Thursday, giving Simas an extra day of rest.

“He was fine. I just wanted to make sure I got him in the game,” Hobson said. “I don’t want to see anybody get hurt. With eight pitchers, you want to make sure everybody gets their opportunity.

Notes: QuackerJack, who has lost every single race at Citibank Park when he goes up against children, finally was able to claim victory. The Ducks mascot defeated a field of other Atlantic League mascots in a race around the bases before the top of the seventh.

The Ducks, who are celebrating their 10th Anniversary Season, sold out their 500th game in club history and celebrated in style as the Ducks waddled off for the third time this season.

A RBI groundout off the bat of Matt Cavagnaro in the third gave the Flock an early 1-0 lead. The Barnstormers tied it up with one in the sixth off Ducks’ starter Julio Manon. Lloyd Turner’s RBI double plated Quincy Foster, who walked earlier in the inning.

The game remained tied until the bottom of the ninth. Johnny Hernandez led off the frame with a base hit to right field and was sacrificed over to second by John Pachot. Alex Prieto then came to bat and served the very first pitch he saw from ‘Stormers reliever Ryan Cullen (4-3) into left field to give the Ducks the victory.

Manon went six and two-thirds, allowing six hits and one run, while striking out five. Billy Simas (2-1) picked up the win firing a scoreless ninth.

The Ducks will enjoy three days off for the Atlantic League All-Star Break and then begin a four-game series on Thursday against the Camden Riversharks. Game time is slated for 7:05 p.m at Campbell’s Field.  Fans can tune into all the action live via streaming webcast at www.liducks.com, with Casey Lynn calling the play-by-play. The Ducks return home on Monday, June 29^th, to host the York Revolution at Citibank Park. First pitch will be at 6:35 p.m., and the ballpark gates open at 5:35 p.m. The first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive Quackers, courtesy of Newsday. Tickets to the game and all upcoming Ducks home games are available at the Citibank Park Box Office, by calling (631) 940-TIXX, or by logging onto www.liducks.com and clicking on the tickets icon at the top of the page.

The Ducks conclude their homestand on Sunday against the Lancaster Barnstormers. Game time is 1:35 p.m., and the Citibank Park gates open at 12:35 p.m. Julio Manon takes the mound for Long Island against Lancaster’s Ben Fritz. Plessers presents Father’s Day at Citibank Park and fans will also be invited onto the field for a pregame autograph session with the 2009 Long Island Ducks, as well as following the game for Kids Run the Bases, courtesy of Bethpage Federal Credit Union. Fans unable to attend can tune into all the action on WNYG 1440 AM or online at www.liducks.com, with Casey Lynn calling the play-by-play. Tickets to the game and all upcoming Ducks home games are available at the Citibank Park Box Office, by calling (631) 940-TIXX, or by logging onto www.liducks.com and clicking on the tickets icon at the top of the page.

The Ducks countered with just two such players but still put a big league hurting on the Bears, torching six Newark pitchers for 19 hits and two home runs in a 17-6 blowout win in a Citibank Park matinee.

Estee Harris drilled his second grand slam of the season, breaking the game open with his fifth-inning bases-clearing blast to right as part of a five-RBI afternoon. Alex Prieto went 3-4 with a homer, four runs scored and three RBIs. Every Ducks starting position player registered a base hit by the fifth inning, chasing Newark starter and former Yankee Shawn Chacon.

“When we get on base, the other guys bring us in,” Prieto said. “When one guy starts hitting, everyone starts hitting again. Right now, we’re doing pretty well.”

Prieto and Juan Francia went a combined 5-8 with five runs scored and five RBIs batting in the eighth and ninth position, marking the second straight game the bottom of the order has served as the offensive catalyst.

“When you get the bottom part of the lineup going, you’re going to have a day like today and score 17 runs,” manager Gary Carter said.

Jake Dittler continued to solidify his spot as a back-of-the-rotation contributor, going 5 1/3 innings in allowing six runs to pick up the win as the Ducks extended its winning streak to four. The Ducks capped an eight-game homestand with five wins before heading to Somerset for a four-game series against the Atlantic League’s best team.

“We’re looking to get that production from the middle of the lineup,” Carter said. “This was a big series for us, no question about it.

“To win three games against a powerhouse like Newark was a big plus for us. Guys are swinging the bats and it seems like we’re starting to jell at the right time.”

Entering Friday, the Ducks sputtering offense mustered just 11 runs in six games. Preston Wilson is still out until at least Monday, though the club continues to batter Atlantic League pitching without the former All-Star. The Ducks have scored 32 runs the past three contests, staying three games behind first place Southern Maryland.

Harris broke the game open in the Ducks six-run fifth inning. After working the count to 3-0 against lefty Cory Willey, Harris took a strike and sat on a fastball, whipping the bat through the zone to pull the ball hard over the rightfield wall. Harris’ fifth home run helped the Ducks turn a three-run cushion into a 12-3 edge.

“The previous at-bat against him, he didn’t go to his breaking ball,” Harris said. “He kept feeding me fastballs so I figured he would try it again.”

The offensive onslaught comes at a time when the Ducks are getting its rotation back healthy and productive. Combined with Southern Maryland losing its staff ace and closer to major league organizations this week and the Ducks are hitting its peak with just eight days left before the All-Star break.

Opening Day starter Brad Halsey looked dominate in his last start and 2008 wins leader Randy Leek threw two scoreless innings in relief Saturday in his first game back since being sidelined with an oblique injury.

Troy Cate started that game and allowed just one run in five innings as he works his way back from a groin injury and Dittler stayed aggressive when staked to a big lead. Newark took advantage of the pitches in the zone, driving up Dittler’s run total thanks to Andres Perez’s three-run home run in the sixth. The right-hander also had to sit through long innings and his manager said that prevented him from staying loose.

“He was upset about the three-run home run but for the most part, he was keeping the ball down,” Carter said. “With a pretty big lead, he wasn’t afraid to come in and throw strikes.”

The Ducks jumped out to a 6-0 lead, scoring once in the first and five runs in the second in which 10 batters came to the plate. Chacon needed 27 pitches to get out of the first and fired 32 in the next inning before Newark manager Tim Raines pulled the ex-Yankee and Colorado Rockies starter. The Ducks also shelled Chacon in another slugfest victory May 18 at home.

Every Ducks position player except Johnny Hernandez scored at least one run. The rightfielder still got into the action, driving in two runs in a 2-5 effort.

“When everyone is hitting like that, I don’t feel like a middle guy,” Harris said. “You don’t feel like it’s an extra burden. Everyone is doing what they need to do out there. It makes it easier on everyone.”

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY— Newark enjoyed a name-recognition advantage entering Sunday’s game against the Ducks, sporting a lineup featuring seven former major leaguers and a starter who also enjoyed success at the top level.

The Ducks countered with just two such players but still put a big league hurting on the Bears, torching six Newark pitchers for 19 hits and two home runs in a 17-6 blowout win in a Citibank Park matinee.

Estee Harris drilled his second grand slam of the season, breaking the game open with his fifth-inning bases-clearing blast to right as part of a five-RBI afternoon. Alex Prieto went 3-4 with a homer, four runs scored and three RBIs. Every Ducks starting position player registered a base hit by the fifth inning, chasing Newark starter and former Yankee Shawn Chacon.

“When we get on base, the other guys bring us in,” Prieto said. “When one guy starts hitting, everyone starts hitting again. Right now, we’re doing pretty well.”

Prieto and Juan Francia went a combined 5-8 with five runs scored and five RBIs batting in the eighth and ninth position, marking the second straight game the bottom of the order has served as the offensive catalyst.

“When you get the bottom part of the lineup going, you’re going to have a day like today and score 17 runs,” manager Gary Carter said.

Jake Dittler continued to solidify his spot as a back-of-the-rotation contributor, going 5 1/3 innings in allowing six runs to pick up the win as the Ducks extended its winning streak to four. The Ducks capped an eight-game homestand with five wins before heading to Somerset for a four-game series against the Atlantic League’s best team.

“We’re looking to get that production from the middle of the lineup,” Carter said. “This was a big series for us, no question about it.

“To win three games against a powerhouse like Newark was a big plus for us. Guys are swinging the bats and it seems like we’re starting to jell at the right time.”

Entering Friday, the Ducks sputtering offense mustered just 11 runs in six games. Preston Wilson is still out until at least Monday, though the club continues to batter Atlantic League pitching without the former All-Star. The Ducks have scored 32 runs the past three contests, staying three games behind first place Southern Maryland.

Harris broke the game open in the Ducks six-run fifth inning. After working the count to 3-0 against lefty Cory Willey, Harris took a strike and sat on a fastball, whipping the bat through the zone to pull the ball hard over the rightfield wall. Harris’ fifth home run helped the Ducks turn a three-run cushion into a 12-3 edge.

“The previous at-bat against him, he didn’t go to his breaking ball,” Harris said. “He kept feeding me fastballs so I figured he would try it again.”

The offensive onslaught comes at a time when the Ducks are getting its rotation back healthy and productive. Combined with Southern Maryland losing its staff ace and closer to major league organizations this week and the Ducks are hitting its peak with just eight days left before the All-Star break.

Opening Day starter Brad Halsey looked dominate in his last start and 2008 wins leader Randy Leek threw two scoreless innings in relief Saturday in his first game back since being sidelined with an oblique injury.

Troy Cate started that game and allowed just one run in five innings as he works his way back from a groin injury and Dittler stayed aggressive when staked to a big lead. Newark took advantage of the pitches in the zone, driving up Dittler’s run total thanks to Andres Perez’s three-run home run in the sixth. The right-hander also had to sit through long innings and his manager said that prevented him from staying loose.

“He was upset about the three-run home run but for the most part, he was keeping the ball down,” Carter said. “With a pretty big lead, he wasn’t afraid to come in and throw strikes.”

The Ducks jumped out to a 6-0 lead, scoring once in the first and five runs in the second in which 10 batters came to the plate. Chacon needed 27 pitches to get out of the first and fired 32 in the next inning before Newark manager Tim Raines pulled the ex-Yankee and Colorado Rockies starter. The Ducks also shelled Chacon in another slugfest victory May 18 at home.

Every Ducks position player except Johnny Hernandez scored at least one run. The rightfielder still got into the action, driving in two runs in a 2-5 effort.

“When everyone is hitting like that, I don’t feel like a middle guy,” Harris said. “You don’t feel like it’s an extra burden. Everyone is doing what they need to do out there. It makes it easier on everyone.”

“You deserved to win,” Carter said to Manon, who had a large ice bag strapped across his right arm.

The Ducks bullpen didn’t live up to its reputation as the team’s lone season-long strength, costing Manon a win while dealing another blow to the club’s first-half division title chances.

A rare lapse from set-up man Joe Valentine and closer Bill Simas allowed Camden to score twice in the eighth and ninth innings, capped by Brian Burgamy’s two-run homer in the last inning to move the Ducks to 22-23; the first time since May 28 the team dropped below .500.

“It’s a shame it turned out the way it did,” Carter said. “Julio pitched an outstanding game but I have enough confidence in my bullpen and I’m going to go back to them when I need them.”

Manon celebrated his 36th birthday by throwing seven scoreless innings. Fredrick Torres finally got to the former Montreal Expos pitcher in the eighth, taking him deep with one out to end his shutout bid. A single brought in Valentine, who entered with a 1.40 ERA. But a single through the right side put runners on the corners before Jon Knott ripped a RBI double off the rightfield wall to tie the score at 2.

Simas, who carried a 1.89 ERA, got the first out in the ninth before allowing a single. Burgamy entered with a .189 average and Simas allowed just one home run. Burgamy got the better of the matchup, ripping a full-count fastball to the row of advertisements beyond the rightfield wall for a crushing two-run homer. The Ducks remained 4 ½ games behind the Liberty Division-leading Blue Crabs.

Manon made just his season’s fourth start and worked into the eighth inning for a third straight outing. Matt Cavagnaro scored twice thanks to RBIs from Estee Harris and Ray Navarrete, staking the ex-Oriole to a 2-0 lead into the late innings.

On an overcast and cool night, Manon prevented Camden from squaring the ball, inducing 15 fly ball outs. Manon said he shrugged off the loss and supports the relievers who have kept the Ducks from falling out of the division race.

“We’re all one group and we’re all trying to do our best,” Manon said. “Whatever happened out there, we’re not meaning for it to happen. It just happened, that’s the way the game is.”

Last week’s seven game road trip featured series against the league’s worst two teams. The Ducks won two of three from Bridgeport but dropped three of four against last-place York, finishing the trip 2-4. Camden is just one game above .500 and have won two of the first three games in the series, meaning the Ducks are missing opportunities to surge up the standings.

Injuries also are mounting. Randy Leek, last year’s wins leader, is still out with an oblique injury and Preston Wilson is still recovering after getting hit in the face with a pitch. The Ducks offense is sputtering, scoring just 10 runs the past five games.

“I view those games as several missed chances,” Carter said. “We needed to capitalize against Bridgeport and York. Maybe the [upcoming] All-Star break will be a blessing in disguise because our guys have been pretty banged up and we’ve been doing it with mirrors, basically.”

In the opener, the Flock used a three-run fifth inning, with Lew Ford, Ray Navarrete and Estee Harris each smacking two-out RBI singles to give the Flock the lead. Ducks’ starter Troy Cate tossed three shutout innings, while Robert Paulk (1-1) picked up the win firing two scoreless frames. Joe Valentine nailed down the save with a scoreless eighth and ninth, allowing just one base hit. It was the second shutout by Long Island this season.

In game two, the Sharks’ pitching staff held the Ducks at bay. Camden’s starter Ryan DiPietro stymied the Flock, surrendering just one run in his three innings of work.  Mike Flannery, Felix Rodriguez (1-0) and Tracy Thorpe pitched the final four innings in scoreless fashion for the win.

Ducks’ starter Jake Dittler (1-3) fired six innings, allowing two hits and one unearned run, while striking out eight.

The Sharks, helped out by two unearned runs, snapped a four-game losing streak. In the defeat, Harris extended his hitting streak to 11-games and catcher Rob Sandora blasted his second homer of the season.

The Ducks and Riversharks continue their four-game set on Wednesday. Game time is slated for 6:35 p.m., and the Citibank Park gates open at 5:35. Julio Manon takes the mound for Long Island against Camden’s Nate Bump. Fans can tune into all the action live via streaming webcast at www.liducks.com, with Chris King calling the play-by-play. Tickets to the game and all upcoming Ducks home games are available at the Citibank Park Box Office, by calling (631) 940-TIXX, or by logging onto www.liducks.com and clicking on the tickets icon at the top of the page.

The story in this game was the pitching of Jim Magrane (6-0). The Patriots starter picked up the win firing seven innings, allowing five hits and one run, while striking out one.

First baseman Josh Pressley supplied the power for the Patriots as he crushed a two-run homer in the first. Ducks’ starter B.J. LaMura (2-4) tossed seven innings, allowing six runs and eight hits, with one punch-out.

A four-run fourth inning did the Flock in as designated hitter Matt Hagen smashed a three-run dinger to help propel the Pats.

Estee Harris extended his hitting streak to 10-games and Lew Ford cracked his team-leading 11^th double.

The Ducks continue their homestand on Tuesday night with a doubleheader against the Camden Riversharks, with each game slated for seven innings. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 5:35 p.m., with gates opening simultaneously. The first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive a Car Sponge, presented by Sponge Tech. Fans unable to attend can tune into all the action online at www.liducks.com, with Chris King and Casey Lynn calling the play-by-play.

The Ducks are the third team in the Atlantic League to sign with iBN Sports this year, joining the Lancaster Barnstormers and Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, who each had their debut broadcasts on iBN in April.  iBN will also be broadcasting games this season in the American Association, Frontier, Northern, and Can Am Leagues, and well as the New England Collegiate Baseball League.

The iBN Sports Baseball Channel has grown from 3 broadcasts in 2007 to nearly 300 in 2008.  With the signing of the Ducks, and other teams about to be announced, iBN Baseball will cover nearly 1,000 professional and collegiate baseball games in 2009.

“We have been pursuing the Ducks since before the 2008 season”, commented iBN Baseball Executive Producer Ed Hart.  “They are one of the premier independent league teams in the country, and have a great reputation for bringing in talented players on their way up, and former Major Leaguers looking for another shot.  We are thrilled to be working with [Ducks General Manager] Mike Pfaff, and his veteran staff.  This is a big day for us at iBN.”

“This is a tremendous step for us,” said Pfaff. “iBN has certainly evolved into one of the major players on the streaming video scene and will help us expand our presence in the market.”

The Ducks first broadcast is scheduled for Monday, June 8, at 6:35 ET, vs. the Somerset Patriots.

About iBN Sports

iBN Sports is the premier destination of Live Internet sports network programming. Fans are provided both LIVE and On-Demand sports programming of world class competitions, in depth news and information.   Sports enthusiasts can go to www.ibnsports.com <http://www.ibnsports.com>  and watch full screen, high definition (HD) video footage anytime, anywhere from amateur to professional sports such as Surfing, Skateboarding, Snowboarding, Motocross, Ultimate Fighting MMA, Boxing, Pro Cycling, Pro Baseball, High School, Ivy League College, Maccabi Games, AAU, and other high interest Action and Extreme Sports.

iBN Sports markets sports content through brand specific sports channels, partnerships, clubs, sponsors, radio advertising, print media publications, restaurant distribution chains, and related web sites.  Consistent with the world-class events, its production quality and capabilities are driven by an experienced group of Hollywood branding, design, and media experts.  iBN is headquartered in Orange County California and operates worldwide through partnerships and affiliates.  For further information please contact the EVP of Business Development Michael Conley, mconley@ibnsports.com <mailto:mconley@ibnsports.com> 480.473.3155.

If you are interested in having iBN Sports Baseball Channel cover your games this season, or would like marketing partnership information, please contact the Executive Producer of the Baseball Channel, Ed Hart at ehart@ibnsports.com, or at 714-458-3064.

About The Long Island Ducks

Entering their 10th Anniversary Season in 2009, the Ducks own a nine-year average attendance of 6,094 (101.5% of capacity) and have led all independent leagues in attendance in each season of their existence. Drawing over 400,000 fans to their ballpark each season, the Ducks are recognized as the gold standard in Independent baseball operations. In 2007, Baseball America honored the club as the Independent Organization of the Year. Earlier this season, the Ducks became the fastest team to surpass the 4-million fan mark in North American sports history in a ballpark their size. For more information, visit www.liducks.com.

Instead of falling out of the Liberty Division hunt, manager Gary Carter saw his team take care of business against the Atlantic League’s two worst clubs, sweeping York and taking the first two from Bridgeport.

Despite a plethora of chances, the Ducks failed to cap a second consecutive sweep. Carter saw his team make four outs on the base paths and leave three runners on base in the final two at-bats before Luis Lopez tagged Robert Paulk’s first pitch deep over the leftfield wall for a 10th inning solo home run, lifting the Bluefish to a 3-2 win in a rare morning start in front of 2,522 at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard Wednesday.

Instead of moving 1 ½ behind Southern Maryland, the Ducks were held scoreless for nine innings after a two-run first as the three-four-five hitters went a combined 3-14. Bridgeport staff ace Esteban Yan scattered eight hits in eight innings after entering the contest with the league’s seventh-lowest ERA at 3.89.

Estee Harris accounted for both Ducks runs, recording a RBI and a run scored while Ray Navarrete was the only visitor to log a multi-hit game in a 2-4, one-run effort. With a five-game winning streak over, the Ducks dropped to 20-17.

The Ducks put runners on first and third in the top of the 10th thanks to shortstop Rayner Bautista booting Harris’ ground ball that would have ended the inning. Instead, the ball glanced off his glove before rolling into shallow center as Navarrete advanced to third.

Andy Weimer prevented the go-ahead run from crossing the plate, setting up Lopez’s third home run of the season in the bottom of the inning as the Bluefish evened the season series at 3-3.

Ducks starter B.J. Lamura lived dangerously through six innings, walking five and allowing five hits in throwing 109 pitches. But the righty kept the Bluefish to just two runs, stranding seven runners to pick up the quality start.

While Lamura labored through his effort, Yan capitalized on the free-swinging Ducks, needing just 85 pitches to breeze through his eight innings. Yan, a former Tampa Bay Devil Ray, walked just one batter and registered a single strikeout.

“I’m glad they gave me a chance to win and prove what I can do,” Yan, an 11-year major league veteran, said. “I’d like to get the win, but I’m happy the team won. I’m proud of what I’m doing and will continue to throw every outing and every opportunity.”

Despite the starters’ style dichotomy, both pitchers ended up with no-decisions. Yan allowed just one runner to make it into scoring position after the Ducks scored twice in the first. Bridgeport manager Tommy John elected to take out Yan for the ninth, bringing in Weimer.

Ron Davenport lined a leadoff double and a walk put two runners  on base before Johnny Hernandez placed a perfect sac bunt attempt down the third base line, moving both men into scoring position in the ninth. Dennis Donovan then hit a weak grounder to third and Davenport broke on contact and caught caught in a rundown between third and home.

Bridgeport got the tag out and then completed the double play when Donovan tried to take second base and was thrown out by 10 feet, killing a rally with the fourth out the Ducks made on the base paths.

Bluefish manager Tommy John is friends with Carter from their playing days. After a rough start, the Bluefish won four of the last six even after dropping the first two to the Ducks. Bridgeport is still looking to find consistency with a 15-23 record.

“If you don’t play very well like we’ve had the last couple of days, it’s not a lot of fun to manage anything,” John said. “But it’s fun. Gary’s been a friend of mine for a long time. We played against each other when he was with the Mets and Expos.”

Ken Ray, Randy Leek and Brad Halsey were entrusted to anchor the Ducks top three rotation spots before Opening Day. Ray is now in the Indians organization, Leek is inactive with an oblique strain and Halsey is looking to regain the form that once made him a heralded Yankee prospect.

But the Ducks qualified for the playoffs the past five seasons based on depth and are looking to employ a similar strategy with the new campaign barely a month old. Enter Lamura and Jake Dittler, who are two right-handers looking to become established Atlantic League starters.

Harris and Victor Rodriguez jumped on Yan early, lining back-to-back RBI singles before taking second on wild throws to the plate in the opening inning despite the 10:30 a.m. start time. Rodriguez prematurely ended the rally, getting thrown out trying to take third.

Bridgeport battled back, supporting its top starter by manufacturing a run off Lamura. Adam Greenberg worked a a leadoff walk, stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error before coming home on Jay Caligiuri’s infield single to make it 2-1 after the first inning.

Lamura struggled with command but was able to minimize the damage. In the third, the Bluefish put runners runners on the corners with none out before Lamura induced a pop out before Ryan Radmanovich hit a sacrifice fly to deep center to tie the score at 2. That would be it as the Ronkonkoma escaped the inning without Bridgeport taking the lead.

The Ducks will head to Somerset for a three-game series against the reigning league champions. The Patriots entered Wednesday evening with a Freedom Division-best 24-17 record.

“We it was a big series for us”, replied Ducks Manager Gary Carter.  “We needed a good outing by Brad (Halsey), and he gave that to us.  We had the toughest part of our schedule over the past two weeks, so hopefully now the schedule will be in our favor.”

The Ducks quickly got runs on the board to start the game.  Long Island’s Preston Wilson was hit in the nose from a fastball from York starting pitcher Dan Foli (0-6), and left the game.  After Alex Prieto replaced Wilson at first, Victor Rodriguez tagged a pitch to deep centerfield, scoring Ray Navarette.  Foli then walked Johnny Hernandez, allowing the Central Islip standout Harris to the plate, who then drilled a fastball out to right centerfield to give the Ducks their first Grand Slam of the season.

Wilson was taken to a local hospital for X-rays, according to Ducks General Manager, Michael Pfaff.

“He has a minor displaced fracture on the nose, and we don’t think it will require surgery”, said Carter.  “I was just scared of a fracture of the cheekbone.  Hopefully, he will be back in a few days.”

York (10-24) got their only run of the ball game in the top of the second on a double by catcher Luis Taveras, scoring Matt Esquivel who had doubled two batters before Taveras.

Harris started the Ducks next offensive output in the fourth, hitting a single up the middle off of Foli, who had retired eight in a row after Harris’ homer in the first.  Catcher Rob Sandora, the pride of West Babylon, drove a Foli pitch over the right centerfield wall for his first home run of the season, to give the Ducks a six run lead.

“I’ve been feeling good, and when you are getting consistent at-bats, you get into a groove”, said Harris about his recent performance. “It helps to be playing every day, and the fact that you will be in there the next day, even if you are not successful that day, it is less pressure on you, and it’s a lot easier to play.”

Brad Halsey (2-3), who struggled mightily in his last outing, allowing seven runs in just over three innings, seemed to have his control in order, allowing only four hits in six innings, striking out one and did not walk a batter.  He retired 10 of his 18 outs on the ground, and was consistently picking the corners and staying ahead of the hitters.

“It helped to have the guys step up in the first”, said Halsey.  “They had an idea that I was not doing too well, and they gave me a chance to relax.  The big difference today, was that I was having fun out there.”

“We did not want to over-extend him”, replied Carter on Halsey’s outing. “He had 95 pitches, so it gave us a chance to get guys some innings, and get other guys a day off.”

Robert Paulk, a former Met farmhand that just signed by the Ducks on Saturday, made his debut with a scoreless seventh inning.

Sandora, drove his third run of the game, as he squibbed one past the glove of Jeff Eure to bring in the eighth run of the conquest.

Mike Hrynio had a scoreless eighth inning, and Ron Flores finished the ninth, allowing one run to score.

Victor Rodriguez had four hits for the Ducks, while Ray Navarette was on base with three hits for Long Island.  Luis Tavares had three hits to lead the York attack.

For Carter and the Ducks, they are now sitting at the half-way point of the first half, and he feels that they are doing quite well.

“We’ve lost a lot of key players”, said Carter, “but guys have been stepping up and doing nicely; and our pitching staff is getting stronger.  We just need to hold our own.  We can’t take Bridgeport lightly, and in York they will be want to try to get the wins back.”

Thirty-six games left in the half, and Long Island seems to be ready to move up the standings.

Quacker Notes:  Today’s attendance of 6,096 at Citibank Park giving the Ducks another sellout crowd. Who’s Hot?  Despite the struggle on the field on Saturday night, Joe Valentine’s scoreless streak is now sitting at 18 innings.  He has not allowed an earned run, since April 28^th at Lancaster.  The Ducks are on the road for the next seven with a three game stint against the Bridgeport Bluefish, following with a four game rematch versus the Revolution.  The Ducks return to Long Island on Monday, June 8^th to face the Newark Bears in a four game series.

Dittler still carried a 4.47 ERA that season, hardly numbers that suggest ace status. But Dittler’s best performance as a Duck came at crucial time with the club putting former staff No. 1 Randy Leek on the inactive list with an oblique injury.

Leek, who won a team-high 12 games for the Ducks last season, was removed from the active roster Saturday morning. Hours later, Dittler tossed seven shutout innings against York and Estee Harris drove in two runs, leading the Ducks to a 4-0 victory over the Revolution in front of 7,053 at Citibank Park.

“Tonight’s performance was outstanding when we needed a good performance,” Carter said. “To go seven innings and throw 88 pitches… I thought it was one of the better outings that we’ve had all year because he was getting ahead with his pitches and he never got himself into any trouble.”

Through his first four Ducks appearances, Dittler was tagged for a 10.80 ERA, allowing 15 hits in just 8 1/3 innings. The 6-4, 220-pound pitcher rewarded manager Gary Carter’s faith, retiring seven straight batters at one point in limiting York to three hits. Dittler struck out four and nearly cut his ERA in half, walking only one batter in the process The Ducks won its second straight to move over the .500 mark at 17-16.

“That’s what they brought me in for and that’s what I’m trying to do,” Dittler said. “Losing Leek was big but we’ll get him back and get him back healthy.

“Coming in, I was sitting at home and not working as much as I wanted. When I got here, I had to feel myself at a little bit and got into the rotation and got in my routine and I’m trying to hit my stride here.”

Leek was 12-3 with a 3.66 ERA in 2008, earning the Opening Day start while tying a team-high mark with two complete games in helping the Ducks to a fifth straight Atlantic League playoff berth.

The Levittown native and MacArthur High School standout couldn’t duplicate his effort. Leek’s 1-5 start with a 7.78 ERA was the dichotomy of his previous season. In seven starts, Leek averaged less than six innings per start and allowed 60 hits in 37 innings, necessitating a roster shakeup and give Leek time to heal.

“We figured by putting him on the inactive list, that will give him a couple of weeks to get healthy,” Carter said. “This is the best thing for him at this time.”

Before the game, the Ducks placed veteran reliever Dan Miceli on the inactive list. That hit to the bullpen didn’t hurt the club in this contest after Joe Valentine escaped a bases-loaded, one out jam in the eighth.

Valentine was unusually wild, sandwiching walks around a single after retiring the first batter. With the bases loaded, Valentine settled down, inducing a flyout to shallow left and getting Matt Padgett to pop out to second to end the threat and keep the team’s shutout bid intact.  Closer Bill Simas struck out the side a non-save situation in the ninth.

“I felt good,” Dittler said. “I wanted to go out and let guys put the ball in play. The defense did a great job making all the plays on the groundballs.”

York’s Dave Gassner matched Dittler pitch-for-pitch before the Ducks mounted a two-run fifth to break a scoreless tie. Preston Wilson’s one-out single started the rally and Victor Rodriguez followed by lining a run-scoring single off the right-centerfield wall to plate Wilson. Johnny Hernandez walked and John Pachot singled sharply to right, loading the bases.

Harris hit under the ball slightly, missing a grand slam but still sending it deep enough to center for a sacrifice fly a 2-0 lead. The Central Islip native extended that advantage one inning later, coming through with a clutch two-out single to center to plate Rodriguez.

“We had a great pitching performance and when your pitcher goes out and does that, it makes you want to go out and get runs for him,” said Harris, who finished 2-3 and made a strong throw off a catch in left to prevent York’s potential eighth-inning sacrifice fly. “When a guy puts up a performance like that, you definently feel motivated to go out and give him as much as you can.”

Dittler first came to the Atlantic League last season, splitting the campaign with Camden and Texas’ Double-A affiliate. The 26-year-old did not allow a runner past first base after the second inning, putting the Ducks in position to sweep the three-game series Sunday.

York and Bridgeport are the league’s two last place teams and the Ducks are now 2-0 in a 10-game stretch against the bottom feeders. Combined with Southern Maryland’s loss, the Ducks are 3 ½ games behind in the Liberty Division and are looking to make strides.

“We obviously have a little momentum going right now,” Carter said. “Hopefully we can get things going again and get everybody healthy.”

Notes: One day after welcoming the four millionth fan in team history, the Ducks drew another stellar crowd. The attendance total was more than 1,000 people the club recorded on Opening Day, where 6,051 came to the park. The Ducks previous season-high was 6,411, set on the second home game May 2…Former Yankee Brad Halsey will look to find his early season rhythm when he takes the mound for the Ducks Sunday afternoon. Game time is set for 1:35 p.m.

The Ducks still are fielding a veteran club, though the pitching staff took a hit when Miceli and starter Randy Leek (strained oblique) were placed on the Atlantic League’s inactive list before a 4-0 win over the York Revolution Saturday night at Citibank Park.

Right-handed Robert Paulk, a former Mets farmhand, was signed to take one of the roster spots while the club also activated infielder Ron Davenport.

“Miceli at this time has decided he needs to go home and resolve some personal issues,” Carter said. “There is a possibility that we could bring him back.”

After making his last major league appearance for Tampa Bay in 2006, Miceli spent the last two seasons at home. But instead of picking up a hobby, the 38-year-old decided to make a comeback attempt. Thanks to an endorsement from a former Ducks closer, Miceli ventured from his Florida home to Long Island for a career comeback.

“Danny Graves came over and said it was a good league so I decided to follow in his footsteps and see what happens,” Miceli said earlier in the week. “I felt like I have something left in the arm, so I gave it one more shot.

“I have one goal. The reason why I’m here is to try and make it back it the big leagues.”

Miceli’s absence removed an effective set-up man from the bullpen’s stockpile. The right-hander was 1-0 with a 2.81 ERA. Despite his age, Miceli still demonstrated a power game, striking out 18 in 16 innings while walking just seven. As a sixth-through-eighth inning option, Miceli logged 16 appearances, teaming with Joe Valentine and Ron Flores to protect leads for surging closer Bill Simas.

In 14 big league seasons, Miceli pitched for 10 teams. The Newark native also came close to home in 2003, pitching briefly for the Yankees. The 6-0, 200-pound reliever appeared in 631 games and helped the Padres make it to the Fall Classic in 1998.

Miceli also made more than $9 million his two-decade career. Yet for the first month of the season, he was back to riding buses and playing for the league’s average salary of nearly $3,000 a month. For the chance to make it back to the big time, Miceli said the minor league lifestyle was suitable.

“I enjoy it still. I enjoy the guys,” Miceli said. “Bus rides are just buses. I don’t mind.”

John Pachot caught the majority of Miceli’s Ducks appearances and said the former undrafted free agent for the Kansas City Royals still had good command and suitable velocity despite the two-year respite.

“He didn’t have a lot of velocity, but his splitter, cutter and slider were pretty good,” Pachot said. “He had good pitches.”

Carter never returned to the game after ending a Hall of Fame career for Montreal in 1992. But the Cooperstown enshrined former catcher said the game’s allure can be tempting when taking the children to school and home improvement projects replace batting practice and adrenaline-filled late-game pressure situations.

“Maybe he retired a little too early,” Carter said. “Maybe he also found that home-life isn’t as easy as it goes because when you still feel like you have a little something left in the tank, you might as well give it your best effort.”

“Robert gives us another solid option out of the bullpen,” says Ducks manager Gary Carter. “He gave me some big innings in 2006 when I was managing the St. Lucie Mets and we’re looking forward to seeing him make an even greater contribution to the Ducks in 2009.”

Paulk is in the eighth season of a professional baseball. The Georgia native has spent the bulk of his minor league career in the New York Mets organization accumulating 32 victories with a 3.57 ERA in 226 games. His best season came in 2006 when he spilt time with Single-A St. Lucie, Double-A Binghamton and Triple-A Norfolk when he went 8-2 with a 3.04 ERA in 40 games. Paulk was originally selected by the New York Mets in the 24^th round of the 2002 draft.

In order to make room on the roster, the Ducks announced that pitcher Dan Miceli has been placed on the inactive list.

The Long Island Ducks play their home games at Citibank Park and are in their 10^th Anniversary Season in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. For further information, visit www.liducks.com, or call (631) 940-3825.

The Revolution struck first with single runs in both the second and third innings.  Matt Esquivel’s dinger to left field off Ducks’ starter B.J. LaMura (2-3) in the second frame got the Revs on the board.  A RBI single off the bat of Tom Collaro in the third gave York a 2-0 lead.

The Ducks came right back in the home half of the third with two runs off Revolution starter Daryl Harang (2-3). Three walks and Ray Navarrete’s RBI single to left center helped the Flock tie the game at 2-2.

The score remained the same until the seventh inning.  Victor Rodriguez’ two-run single off Revolution reliever Josh Sharpless highlighted a three-run Flock attack.  Alex Prieto’s second homer of the season in the eighth provided Long Island with some insurance to make it a 6-2 ball game.

LaMura fired seven innings, yielding two runs and six hits.  The righthander retired 13 consecutive batters to close out his night.

Joe Valentine and Jason Norderum blanked York over the final two innings.  Valentine extended his scoreless innings streak to 17 as he has not allowed an earned run since April 28^th.

The Ducks continue their homestand on Saturday against the York Revolution. Game time is 7:05 p.m., and the Citibank Park gates open at 6:05 p.m.  Following the game, all fans in attendance will be treated to a Grucci Fireworks Extravaganza, presented by Getty.   Righthander Jake Dittler takes the mound for Long Island against York’s Dave Gassner.  Fans unable to attend can tune into all the action on WNYG 1440 AM or online at www.liducks.com, with Casey Lynn and David Weiss calling the play-by-play.

Ducks Tales… Johnny Hernandez swiped his fifth stolen base of the season in the sixth inning.  Johnny now leads the Ducks in that department…The Ducks have stolen 18 bases in 2009 and been caught stealing just seven times… Starting pitcher B.J. LaMura tossed a season-high seven innings.  It was the longest outing for a Ducks’ starter since Troy Cate went seven innings on May 15^th against the Camden Riversharks… Former Ducks’ starter Ken Ray made his debut for the Columbus Clippers (AAA, Indians).  Ray allowed five earned runs and 11 hits in four innings of work …Tonight’s attendance of 5,903 pushed the Ducks over 4-millionth fan plateau.  Long Island is the quickest American professional sports franchise to reach the magical 4-millionth fan mark with the stadium the size of Citibank Park (capacity 6,002).

“We are extremely proud that we have reached the 4 millionth fan mark in our 10^th Anniversary Season,” says Ducks principal owner Frank Boulton. “This milestone is a testament to our organization and how the community has embraced us. We have the best fans in all of baseball and we look forward to making sure that everyone has a great experience every time that they come out to the ballpark.”

Liquori spun the turnstile minutes before game time. In addition to receiving a commemorative “4 Millionth Fan” official Ducks jersey, Liquori received a Gary Carter autographed bat, a 3-day vacation at the Ginn Golf Resort in Florida and two round trip tickets to anywhere JetBlue flies, all courtesy of the JetBlue Challenge. He also tossed out a ceremonial first pitch.

The 39-year-old attended the game with his wife, Jen, and their three children Julia, Cameron, and Daniel. “I was completly stunned and excited,” says Liquori. “This is unbelievable and it’s truly a privilege. Our family has grown along with the Ducks over the years and this is a day I will never forget.”

The Long Island Ducks are in their 10^th Anniversary Season of play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. They have filled their ballpark to over 100 percent capacity for nine consecutive seasons and are one of the most successful minor league franchises in the country. For further information, please visit www.liducks.com or call (631) 940-3825.

Ducks’ southpaw Randy Leek and the Blue Crabs’ John Halama kept the scoreboard blank through the first four innings. Leek (1-5) finished his night allowing four earned runs on 10 hits and a pair of strikeouts in six innings of work. Halama (7-0) recorded his third complete game of the season, yielding one earned run on seven hits, a walk and two strikeouts.

The Blue Crabs were the first to crack the scoreboard on a Chuck Jeroloman RBI single to left field in a three-hit fifth inning. Southern Maryland got three straight hits to start the sixth, including a pair of doubles, to plate a run. Two sacrifice flies off the bats of Travis Garcia and Jeremy Owens saw two more runs cross and it was 4-0.

Long Island got a run back in the home half inning as Preston Wilson drew a two-out walk and came around to score on a Victor Rodriguez double that rolled all the way to the right field fence.

Southern Maryland put two runners on to start the eighth and Owens came up with his second RBI of the game with a single to left to make it 5-1.

Ducks’ reliever Ron Flores tossed two innings, allowing one run on two hits, with a walk and a strikeout. Closer Bill Simas entered in the ninth inning and despite a run scoring off an error, he surrendered just one hit and struck out two.

The Ducks continue their homestand on Friday against the York Revolution. Game time is 7:05 p.m., and the Citibank Park gates open at 6:05 p.m. The first 1,500 fans will receive 10^th Anniversary T-Shirts, presented by Contractors for Kids. B.J. LaMura takes the mound for Long Island against York’s Daryl Harang. Fans unable to attend can tune into all the action online at www.liducks.com and 1440 AM WNYG, with Chris King calling the play-by-play. Tickets to Friday’s game and all upcoming Ducks home games are available at the Citibank Park Box Office, by calling (631) 940-TIXX, or by logging onto www.liducks.com and clicking on the tickets icon at the top of the page.

The Ducks lost its best pitcher and top-two hitters in a 72-hour period. That didn’t include the on-field action, where the Ducks dropped two in a row to the first-place Southern Maryland Blue Crabs following a 4-2 defeat Wednesday night at Citibank Park.

Before the game, the Cleveland Indians organization signed away staff ace Ken Ray. A day earlier, Raul Gonzalez had his contract purchased by Tabasco of the Mexican League. Replacing a surging pitcher and hot-hitting slugger is daunting enough, though the news was worse after the the Ducks dropped 4 ½ games behind the Blue Crabs in falling to 15-15, the first time the club was .500 since May 1.

“They’re positioned in the right place,” Ducks manager Gary Carter said. “They are playing solid defense and their pitching has been good, too.”

Southern Maryland moved in position for the three-game sweep with league win-leader Halama on the hill Thursday. The former Duck left-hander is off to a 6-0 start with a 2.36 ERA.

“Hopefully the guys will step it up a notch and beat the league leader in wins,” Carter said. “Halama’s a professional and has done it at the major league level. We’re going to have a tough go to try and beat him.”

But the Ducks still must worry about internal problems. Former Montreal Expos right-hander Julio Manon was lackluster in his first start of the season. Manon was tagged for three runs (two earned) in 4 2/3 innings. That production won’t make the Ducks forget about Ray, who was tied for second in the Atlantic League with a 4-0 record and 3 ERA.

Manon, who also pitched for the Orioles, surrendered two runs in the first. Richard Giannotti and James Shanks each belted doubles that rolled to the wall in the gap to start the game and opened the scoring. After Manon retired the next two batters, Travis Garcia’s run-scoring single to left made it 2-0.

Southern Maryland took advantage of fielding miscues. Suarez was charged with two errors on the same play, one for fumbling the ball and the other for throwing it into the dugout to allow the leadoff man to move to second base. Shanks added a two-out RBI double, extending the lead to 3.

Manon settled down, only running into trouble with two fifth-inning singles before getting the hook. The 35-year-old gave up six hits, striking out four while walking two in picking up the loss.

The Ducks could only get to Southern Maryland starter Ryan Bicondoa in the fourth via RBI hits from Ray Navarrete and Estee Harris. Four of the Ducks six hits came in that inning, as Bicondoa limited the opposition to six hits in six innings, improving to 3-1.

Johnny Hernandez worked a leadoff walk for the Ducks to start the eighth before Blue Crabs reliever Matt Hensley forced a line out. Matt Cavagnaro was called out on a questionable check swing call by the second base umpire. Thanks to the league’s three-umpire system, there was no one at third with a runner at first, and the punch out drew a protest from Cavagnaro and Carter from the third base coach’s box.

A weak groundout ended the eighth and the Blue Crabs tacked on another run in the ninth to close the win.

The 6-2 right-hander spent the entire 2006 campaign as an Atlanta Braves reliever, coming out of the bullpen for all 82 of his major league appearances. But Ray was successful as a starter in the Mexican League last season and became one of the few shut-down Ducks pitchers this year, emerging as the staff ace following a 4-0 start.

Ray’s surge could be a ticket back to the big leagues. Cleveland signed the 35-year-old Wednesday, assigning him to the Indians Double-A affiliate. Ducks manager Gary Carter hinted last week that Ray’s Long Island stint could be short after the former Royal picked up his fourth win, tying him for second-most in the Atlantic League.

“We’re very happy and proud for Ken and wish him the best,” Carter said. “He’s been a vital part of our pitching staff this season, and we’re excited that he will have the opportunity to get back to the big leagues.”

Ray cracked the league’s top-10 in ERA, allowing just nine runs in 27 innings. In five starts, Ray struck out 26 and walked just three while hitting three batters. With the hit to the rotation, Carter said the Ducks could use left-handers Randy Leek and ex-Yankee Brad Halsey to shrug off slow starts.

Leek is 1-4 with an 8.13 ERA as the Levittown native battles mechanical issues while Halsey, the Opening Day starter, is 0-3 since winning the season’s first game. Former Montreal Expo and Baltimore Oriole Julio Manon got his first chance to replace Ray, allowing three runs (two earned) during his first start of the season in Wednesday night’s 4-2 loss to Southern Maryland at Citibank Park

“They’ve been off their games,” Carter said. “I’m sure they are hoping to turn things around because it’s not the Brad Halsey we know and the Randy Leek we know.”

Ray pitched six scoreless innings in the Ducks 4-1 win over Camden May 17, though a line drive injured his left (non-throwing) thumb in his final start for the Flock. Carter said the bruise shouldn’t have any long-term effect. Yet he also said the comebacker might have caused the Indians organization to hold off a few more days before signing him.

Cleveland could still try to turn Ray back into a reliever, though that move would make little sense considering most players and coaches equate the Atlantic League’s talent level favorably to Triple-A. Ray said he would like the chance to start in the major leagues and shrug off a typecast bestowed on him years ago.

“I’d like to have an opportunity in an affiliated organization to where they would give me an opportunity to start,” Ray said. “It just seems that everyone sees me as a bullpen guy. Hopefully, I can change that.”

The lineup’s depth also took a hit. Tabasco, a Triple-A team of the Mexican League, signed outfielder Raul Gonzalez, who led the Ducks in on-base percentage at .425. Gonzalez was batting .333 with 10 RBIs through 24 games, scoring 19 runs and belting seven doubles while adding one home run.

“I’m just trying to find the right combination right now,” Carter said. “We have the possibility of players coming in as replacements.”

The Blue Crabs belted 16 hits, including five home runs en route to their fifth win in eight games against the Flock this season.  Ducks’ starter Brad Halsey (1-3) suffered the loss as he tossed three and one-third innings, allowing six earned runs and 11 hits, while striking out one. Back-to-back dingers in the second inning by Jeremy Owens and Lance Burkhart highlighted the four-run frame. The Crabs added two more in the third, including Burkhart’s second long ball in as many innings.

A three-run seventh against Ducks’ reliever Mike Hrynio broke the game wide open as the Crabs used homers by Jermy Acey and Mike Just to cement the contest.

Kenny Baugh (1-1) picked up the win firing six innings, yielding two runs and eight hits, with seven punch outs. The Crabs’ bullpen did the job as Mike James, Jim Serrano and Matt Schweitzer combined for three shutout innings of relief.

Offensively for the Flock, Estee Harris, Gabe Suarez and Johnny Hernandez each chipped in with a multi-hit game, with Suarez picking up his first three-hit performance of the season.

The Ducks continue their series on Wednesday against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. Game time is 6:35 p.m., and the Citibank Park gates open at 5:35 p.m. Julio Manon takes the mound for Long Island against Southern Maryland’s Ryan Bicondoa. Fans unable to attend can tune into all the action online at www.liducks.com, with Casey Lynn calling the play-by-play. Tickets to Wednesday’s game and all upcoming Ducks home games are available at the Citibank Park Box Office, by calling (631) 940-TIXX, or by logging onto www.liducks.com and clicking on the tickets icon at the top of the page.

“We’ll definitely miss Raul for his contributions both on and off the field,” says Ducks manager Gary Carter. “We wish him the best of luck and continued success.”

The 35-year-old has enjoyed five stops in the Major Leagues with four different organizations (Mets, Cubs, Indians and Reds), earning his first call-up in 2000 at the age of 26 with the Cubs. His finest Major League season came in 2003, when he hit two home runs and clubbed 21 RBI for the New York Mets. The outfielder played parts of eight seasons at the Triple-A level with the Mets, Pirates, Cardinals, Indians, Reds and Cubs organizations. He spent his early years in the Royals system, recording 10 or more home runs in a single season four times. Raul was selected by the Kansas City Royals in the 17th round of the 1990 draft.

The Long Island Ducks play their home games at Citibank Park and are in their 10th Anniversary Season in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. For further information, visit www.liducks.com, or call (631) 940-3825.

The Ducks and Bears traded runs in the third as Ramon Nivar hit his second home run in as many nights to put Newark up a run.  The Ducks came right back with a run in the home half as Juan Francia led off the frame with a triple and came around to score on Ray Navarrete’s RBI groundout.

In the fourth, the Bears would bat around against Ducks’ starter Troy Cate and reliever Mike Hrynio. Four hits and two walks led to four runs and the Bears took a 5-1 lead.  Cate left in the middle of the inning with a groin injury and is listed as day-to-day.  The resilient Ducks struck back again off Bears’ starter Ryan Bukvich in the next half inning.  Navarrete’s two-run double and Preston Wilson’s majestic two-run dinger over the right-center field wall highlighted a six-run fifth to grab the lead back for the Flock at 7-5.

A solo shot by Bears’ second baseman Andres Perez cut the lead to one in top of the sixth, but the Ducks answered with four more in the bottom of the inning.  For the second straight frame, the Flock sent 10 men to the plate, with Lew Ford supplying the power on a three-run homer deep to center field to give Long Island a 12-6 lead.  However, Dan Miceli and Billy Simas couldn’t hold it as the Bears struck for seven runs in the top of the eighth to take a one run advantage.  With the Ducks down by a run entering the bottom of the ninth, Navarrete played the role of hero, with a leadoff homer to left to send it to extra innings.

Simas retired the first two batters he faced in the first extra frame with two strikeouts.  Despite a two-out double, he retired the side without any damage.  The Ducks got revenge in the 10th as John Pachot, who came in to play catcher one inning earlier, singled home Gabe Suarez to send the Flock faithful home happy with a thrilling 14-13 win. The Ducks set season highs in runs (14) and hits (22) and finished the homestand with three hard fought wins.

The Ducks will now hit the road to begin a quick three-game series against the Somerset Patriots. Game time for Friday is slated for 7:05 p.m at TD Bank Ballpark. Fans can tune into all the action live on WNYG 1440 AM, or via streaming webcast at www.liducks.com, with Chris King calling the play-by-play. The club returns home on Tuesday, May 26, to host the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs at Citibank Park. First pitch will be at 6:35 p.m., and the ballpark gates open at 5:35 p.m. Tickets to the game and all upcoming Ducks home games are available at the Citibank Park Box Office, by calling (631) 940-TIXX, or by logging onto www.liducks.com and clicking on the tickets icon at the top of the page.

Carl Everett’s RBI single through the right side got the Bears on the board in the first inning against Ducks’ starter Brad Halsey (1-2). The Ducks came right back in the home half when Ray Navarrete, who was celebrating his 31^st birthday on Wednesday, smashed his fifth homer of the season off the scoreboard in left field.

Ramon Nivar’s grand slam highlighted a five-run fourth inning for the Bears, as they took a 6-1 lead. The Ducks would cut the lead in half in the fourth on a Navarrete RBI groundout. However, a four-run fifth off Ducks’ reliever Jake Dittler would break the game wide open at 10-2. The Bears added two more in the sixth and never looked back.

Raul Gonzalez did his part to get the Flock back in the game, as he led off the fifth inning with his first long ball of the season. The Ducks couldn’t muster anything until the ninth when they pushed one across the plate against Oneli Perez, who picked up his first save of the season. Edgar Martinez (1-1) earned the win, yielding three runs and four hits over six innings.

The Ducks continue their series on Thursday against the Newark Bears. Game time is 6:35 p.m., and the Citibank Park gates open at 5:35 p.m. Troy Cate takes the mound for Long Island against Newark’s Ryan Bukvich. Fans unable to attend can tune into all the action online at www.liducks.com, with Chris King calling the play-by-play. Tickets to Thursday’s game and all upcoming Ducks home games are available at the Citibank Park Box Office, by calling (631) 940-TIXX, or by logging onto www.liducks.com and clicking on the tickets icon at the top of the page.

Ducks Tales… Ray Navarrete’s dinger in the first inning was his second leadoff homer of the season. In 2009, Ray is batting an impressive .370 (10-for-27) out of the leadoff spot. The Ducks have hit 15 homers on the season, with 10 smashed at the Duck Pond, including six on the current homestand…Julio Manon tossed four innings, easily surpassing his season-high of two and one-third innings pitched on May 14 against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs …Raul Gonzalez extended his hitting streak to eight games with an impressive solo home run. Gonzalez last left the park on September 9, 2008 as a member of the Newark Bears. Birthday boy Ray Navarrete enjoyed a productive night with two hits and two RBI. Navarrete now has eight multi-hit games on the young season…The Ducks had the great honor to welcome Army Corporal Chris Levi to Citibank Park on Wednesday night to toss out a ceremonial first pitch.  Corporal Levi recently returned to his home in Holbrook after spending many months at Walter Reed Medical Center in Washington, D.C., for treatment of serious injuries sustained while serving his country in Iraq…Tonight’s attendance pushed the Ducks one game closer to the 4-millionth fan plateau. The Ducks all-time attendance is now 3,975,861.

There he was, Armando Benitez, wearing No. 48, as he trotted in to close the Newark Bears eventual 7-3 win.

Of course a dunker and a walk put two runners on, but Benitez recorded the save – after all this wasn’t the playoffs – as Long Island wanted to put this match behind them.

“It was one of those games,” said Ducks manager Gary Carter. “Our starting pitcher goes four innings and throws 84 pitches and our middle guy Mike Hrynio throws 51 pitches. It’s not what you are looking for.”

That starter was B.J. Lamura, who Carter described as the team’s No. 5 man. Getting roughed up early, the Ronkonkoma native gave up two in the first highlighted by Rob Mackowiak’s two-out double into left-center field. And then the Bears added another run in the second to get a 3-0 lead.

The Ducks did come back though thanks to Johnny Hernandez’s homer making it 3-2.

Yet that was all the closest Long Island could muster on the chilly night. Since former Duck Carl Everett gave Newark its fourth run on his fourth homer of the season.

“You have to give Newark credit though, they are a good team,” Carter said. “It’s just one of those things. Tomorrow is another day and Newark has done well in the other division. We just have to keep holding our own.”

Time might be getting short for Lamura who is now 0-3 on the season, as Carter said he is looking for “guys he can rely on.”

Just as Newark is looking to lean on their bullpen and shorten games. Besides the former Met closer, the Bears also have former White Sox ninth inning guy Keith Foulke who pitched a scoreless eighth. Although it’s not Putz to K-Rod, it is a formidable one-two punch for the Atlantic League.

“They have the most major league experience,” Carter said. “Foulke has a lot of saves as does Benitez. Obviously the right answer is to get to their starting staff early, because they have a very strong bullpen.”

The Ducks will look to do that tonight as they continue their four games series against the Bears. Long Island will look to rough up Bears starter Edgar Martinez, while the Flock will send their admiral to the mound with former Yankee Brad Halsey toeing the rubber.

Notes: It was Knights of Columbus night at Citibank Park as the fraternal organization took part in all the pre-game ceremonies and sponsored clock night….Preston Wilson is still rehabbing his knee, and is days away from playing.

Newark is now challenging the Ducks for the biggest names in the independent minor league, carrying 15 ex-big leaguers on the active roster compared the Flock’s 13. But pedigree didn’t mean much Tuesday night after the Ducks tagged Newark starter Shawn Chacon for three home runs in a 12-5 win over the Bears at Citibank Park.

Alex Prieto, a one-time Minnesota middle infielder, took the former Yankee Chacon deep for a fourth-inning three-run shot. Like Prieto, catcher John Pachot also picked up his first home run of the season, taking Chacon over the leftfield wall with one out in the sixth to break a 5-all tie.

The Ducks had a collective nine home runs through the first 21 games before generating a power surge.

“It’s nice to see the onslaught of hits,” Carter said. “It was our first three-homer game, which was really inspiring to me. That was the one area we were a little concerned with.”

Lew Ford continued his quest to shake off an early season slump, solo homer and a sixth-inning  RBI double that provided a key insurance run as the Ducks took the opener of the four-game set, improving to 13-9 while winning its second straight. Ford entered the game tied with a league lead in doubles and added his seventh two-bagger in a 4-5 effort with three runs scored and three RBIs.

“He’s capable of doing that and I think he was just adjusting,” Carter said. “He was with Colorado in the spring and then was let go and he went through the transition that he did; I think he’s starting to get a feel for this now. All of these guys want the opportunity to get back.”

The Ducks turned a potential save situation into a laugher via a five-run eighth inning in which10 batters came to the plate. Before the insurance run barrage, the Ducks bullpen limited a potent Newark lineup to just three runs in four innings after starter Randy Leek went just four innings.

Carter said Leek exited after giving up two runs in four innings because of a slight oblique muscle strained. Carter said Leek is day-to-day and might not even miss a start.

Former Duck Carl Everett went 2-4 with a run scored for Newark. Jake Dittler struggled in his Ducks debut, giving up three runs in 1 1/3 innings in relief of Leek. While the 6-4, 220-pound righty was hit hard, Carter said Dittler is in line to make a spot start for Leek or Ken Ray, who is still nursing a bruised thumb on his non-throwing hand after taking a line drive off it Sunday afternoon.

“That’s a bonus in our favor that we know we have a guy in our favor who can start,” Carter said.

The Ducks right-hander made only relief appearances from 2006-07.  But Ray continued to find a comfort level as starter, tossing six scoreless innings in helping the Ducks post a 4-1 win over Camden in a Sunday matinee at Citibank Park.

Ray, who made 13 starts in the Mexican League last year, improved to 4-0 and tied John Halama for the Atlantic League wins lead while lowering his ERA to 3 in scattering just five hits.   Manager Gary Carter said Ray could soon be an ex-Duck after the hurler struck out seven against zero walks while hitting one batter with a scout watching from behind home plate.

“I’m very proud of him because he may not be with us very much longer,” Carter said. “He’s had some looks from some teams.  He’s a guy we can look to to break a losing streak. This was a big win for us.”

Three first-inning runs staked Ray to an early lead and the Ducks never trailed in snapping a three-game losing streak. Estee Harris busted out of his early-season slump, picking up his first home run and RBI of the season with a fourth-inning solo blast for the insurance run.

Ray prevented Camden from completing the three-game sweep. He struck out two batters from the second through fourth innings. Back-to-back strikeouts helped him escape a first-and-third, none-out situation in the fourth.

“The last couple of starts, it’s been my weak point when runners got into scoring position with less than two outs,” Ray said. “I’ve been giving up the big hits and taking myself out of some innings. Today was different. I was able to make a couple of key pitches and get myself out of the inning.”

Joe Valentine logged a perfect seventh and Dan Miceli labored through the eighth. Vito Chiaravolloti drilled a RBI double off the left-centerfield wall, though Miceli worked around two walks to keep it at 4-1. Bill Simas put the first two runners on but induced a flyout before striking out the last two batters in the ninth for his eighth save, improving the Ducks to 12-9.

The only uneasy moments came in the third when two Riversharks hit line drives off Ray. Jason Jacobs’ sent a shot off Ray’s glove hand and Christopher Walker added a two-out single that bounced off the pitcher two batters later. Carter and the trainer came out of the dugout off of Jacobs’ hit but Ray stayed in the game without even throwing a warmup pitch.

No visit was needed after Walker’s line drive. Ray wasn’t shaken up, flicking a hellacious curveball to get Brett Bonvechio looking at strike three to end the inning. His effort allowed the Ducks to go with its standard set-up combination followed by Simas closing the final inning

“His thumb was pretty badly bruised [but] he hung in there and got us through six innings and allowed us to go to the big three,” Carter said.

Ray spent his first five seasons in pro ball as a starter before moving into a relief role. The Atlanta native parlayed that role into a major league job, making 13 appearances for Kansas City in 1999.

Minor league stops in the White Sox and Braves organizations featured a return to a starters role before Atlanta converted Ray back into a reliever, resulting in a career-best season with the hometown Braves in 2006 in which the native son logged a 4.52 ERA in 69 games.

It took a trip south of the border last season for Ray to go back to a starting role for the third time in his career. The 35-year-old said his four-pitch repertoire and ability to work out of struggles makes starting more attractive.

“I’d like to have an opportunity in an affiliated organization to where they would give me an opportunity to start,” Ray said. “It just seems that everyone sees me as a bullpen guy. Hopefully, I can change that.”

Raul Gonzalez, Victor Rodriguez and Alex Prieto each drilled run-scoring base hits in the first. The Ducks jumped on Camden starter Ryan Drese early, tagging the former Texas Rangers right-hander for three runs on four hits to support Ray.

Ray Navarrete lifted a leadoff double against the rightfield wall and Raul Gonzalez cued a one-out RBI single just inside first base to plate the opening run. Rodriguez rocketed a double in the next at-bat and Alex Prieto brought home the third run via his hard shot up the middle.

Harris entered the contest batting .111 before reaching base twice. The Central Islip native provided a lift with fellow outfielder Preston Wilson still out of the lineup with a day-to-day injury and Ron Davenport still not available.

“I saw Estee in the spring and knew he could swing the bat,” Carter said. “Estee is taking the opportunity and going with it. We know what he can do. It’s just a matter of capitalizing on that chance.”

Saturday’s (5/16) game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Tuesday, June 9, with each game slated for seven innings. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 5:35 p.m., with gates opening simultaneously.

The Ducks continue their homestand on Sunday against the Camden Riversharks. Game time is 1:35 p.m., and the Citibank Park gates open at 12:35 p.m. Ken Ray takes the mound for Long Island against Camden’s Ryan Drese. The first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive Puddle Pals Sponges, courtesy of Sponge Tech. Fans will also be invited onto the field for a pregame autograph session with the 2009 Long Island Ducks, as well as following the game for Kids Run the Bases, courtesy of Bethpage Federal Credit Union. Fans unable to attend can tune into all the action on WNYG 1440 AM or online at www.liducks.com, with Chris King and David Weiss calling the play-by-play.

Tickets to the game and all upcoming Ducks home games are available at the Citibank Park Box Office, by calling (631) 940-TIXX, or by logging onto www.liducks.com and clicking on the tickets icon at the top of the page.

“Jake helps us add more quality pitching to our staff,” says Ducks manager Gary Carter. “We’re excited to have him on board.”

The Nevada native joins Long Island after spending the 2008 season with Frisco (AA, Rangers) of the Texas League and Camden of the Atlantic League. The right hander went 2-1 in four starts (including playoffs) against the Ducks in ‘08 and was a key factor down the stretch in helping Camden capture the 2008 Liberty Division championship. Prior to last season, Dittler had spent his entire career in the Indians system, posting 49 career wins and 591 strikeouts. The 26-year-old was selected by the Indians in the second round of the 2001 draft.

In order to make room on the roster, the Ducks announced that infielder Ron Davenport has been placed on the inactive list.

The Long Island Ducks play their home games at Citibank Park and are entering their 10^th Anniversary Season in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. For further information, visit www.liducks.com, or call (631) 940-3825.

The Sharks put up a three-spot in the second inning as third baseman Brian Burgamy lifted a solo shot over the left field wall, and RBI singles by Christopher Walker and Wayne Lydon helped stretch the lead to 3-0.

Victor Rodriguez’ RBI single into left field plated Ray Navarrete to cut the deficit to 3-1. Rodriguez has now hit safely in 13 of his 15 starts this season. The Ducks inched closer with one more in the fifth on Lew Ford’s RBI single into right field to make the score 3-2.

A double to leadoff the sixth inning by Raul Gonzalez propelled the Flock to tie the score at three after an Estee Harris single and Alex Prieto sacrifice fly.

The Sharks came right back with a run in the seventh as Vito Chiaravolloti singled home Lydon, who led off the frame with a triple off of Ducks’ starter Troy Cate. Cate (0-2) tossed seven innings, yielding 11 hits and four runs, while striking out six. An insurance run in the ninth, sparked by a RBI double off of Junior Spivey’s bat sealed the deal as the Sharks belted out 13 hits in the victory.

Dewon Brazelton (2-0) earned the win for the Sharks, scattering eight hits and three runs over six innings while striking out five. Julio Guerrero, Felix Rodriguez and Tracy Thorpe picked up the final nine outs, with Thorpe nailing down his third save.

The Ducks continue their homestand on Saturday against the Camden Riversharks. Game time is 7:05 p.m., and the Citibank Park gates open at 6:05 p.m. Southpaw Brad Halsey takes the mound for Long Island against Camden’s Tom Davey. The first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive Mini Bats, courtesy of Four Seasons Sunrooms. Fans unable to attend can tune into all the action on WNYG 1440 AM or online at www.liducks.com, with Casey Lynn calling the play-by-play.

Back in 2000 when EAB (now Citibank) Park first opened, it was apparent that these two men were onto something big. Averaging over capacity nearly every game, the Long Island Ducks have become the model organization for the entire Atlantic League. In fact, they are as good a franchise as there is in all the independent leagues and even some of the affiliated ones.

Success on the field and at the box office has been the two main reasons why the Ducks have been able to bring in big and popular names. The latest is Gary Carter, the former Met catcher who hopes to bridge the gap back to the major leagues by managing another team to their league championship.

“I’m very excited to be back in New York and to have the opportunity to manage a first class organization like this one,” said Carter, who led the Orange County Flyers to the 2008 Golden Baseball League title.

The team owner recognized the importance of bringing in someone as popular as Carter, who was known during his playing days as “The Kid”

for his youthful exuberance. “He has had great success in baseball both as a player and a manager and we are confident he will help bring an Atlantic League championship back to Long Island,” said Boulton.

The last time that occurred was in 2004, when the Ducks captivated the entire population of both Nassau and Suffolk Counties with new heroes such as Bill Pulsipher, Justin Davies and Bill Simas, the closer who has returned this season.

After coming close many times to earn a postseason berth, the Ducks won the North Division First Half crown that summer and made it count. Since then, they have made the playoffs often but have gone through a drought and have failed to win a postseason game since winning it all.

They hope to change that this year and sometime in May will reach another milestone when fan number four million comes through the gate. That is a plateau the vast majority of minor league teams could only dream of, especially with a ballpark that seats just over 6,000.

They reached the three million mark in September of 2006 and also hold the independent single-season attendance mark of 443,142 that was set in 2001.

With former big leaguers like Brad Halsey, Dan Miceli, Lew Ford and Preston Wilson, the Ducks have enough experience on the field to compliment their Hall of Fame manager. They will not have to be concerned about their attendance, which will probably grow this year with the outrageous prices of the tickets in the area’s two new ballparks.

The same fans that were there in Year One will be there in Year Ten along with millions that they have picked up along the way.

“We value each of our fans, and want to make sure that everyone has a chance to come out and enjoy Ducks baseball,” says Ducks general manager Michael Pfaff. “We’re happy to extend this opportunity and hope to see all the fans who couldn’t make it out to the games earlier in the season here at Citibank Park during our Unused Ticket Days.”

Ticket holders interested in exchanging their unused tickets can do so by visiting the Citibank Park Box Office. Tickets can be exchanged for games on May 26, May 27 or May 28 against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. All games begin at 6:35 p.m., with gates opening at 5:35 p.m. A one dollar fee per ticket will be applied to account for the Suffolk County surcharge on all tickets.

The exchanging of tickets must be done at the Citibank Park Box Office, and cannot be done over the phone or via the Internet.  For more information, please contact the ticket office at (631) 940-TIXX.

The Long Island Ducks play their home games at Citibank Park and are in their 10^th Anniversary Season in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. For further information, visit www.liducks.com, or call (631) 940-3825.

Leek lost his first two starts, allowing nine earned runs in 11 innings while Ford entered Thursday’s contest against Lancaster batting .135. But both deficiencies were fortified last night.

Leek regained his ace form, limiting the visitors to three runs over seven innings in helping the Ducks to a 12-3 victory at Citibank Park. Ford busted out of his early slump, lining two doubles during a seven-run third inning as the Ducks extended its winning streak to five, improving to 9-4 overall in completing the four-game sweep.

“I felt a little better than I had in the past,” said Leek after improving to 1-2. “I worked on my mechanics and was able to get the ball down in the zone for the most part.”

Six doubles in the third inning set a Ducks record for an inning and chased Lancaster starter Jason Scobie with the Barnstormers trailing 8-0. The Ducks tagged Lancaster for nine total extra-base hits.

Ford entered the contest hitless in the series, though the ex-Minnesota Twin started the inning with a double down the leftfield line and sent Scobie to the showers when he came up again and blasted a RBI double over centerfielder Michael Campbell’s head.

“Lou had been struggling with his timing at the plate and he was lunging at balls,” Carter said. “It was a matter of keeping his head still. It was good to see him break out.”

Ford registered just two extra-base hits through his first nine games before matching that total in a single inning. Carter kept Ford in the second spot, batting behind hot-hitting leadoff hitter Ray Navarrete. Ford rewarded that patience by going 2-4 with two RBIS and a run scored while continuing to play a solid centerfield, not making a single error through 10 games.

Leek pitched the Ducks to a fifth consecutive playoff appearance in 2008, going 12-3 with a 3.57 ERA. The Levittown native displayed that efficiency, retiring nine straight after a leadoff single.

In all, the southpaw recorded three strikeouts against zero walks. The Ducks supported Leek by setting a season-high in runs, pounding out 13 hits.

“It was like when a boxer comes out with a right and a left,” Carter said. “We just kept going.”

Every Ducks starter registered at least one base hit by the sixth inning. Johnny Hernandez tied Navarrete for the team lead in homers with two, lifting a sixth-inning solo shot to right to put the Ducks up, 11-2.

Raul Gonzalez continued his torrid start, lacing a hard first-inning single to right to plate Navarrete with the game’s first run. The Ducks soon made it a laugher, sending 11 men to the plate in the third. Gonzalez, who entered as the Ducks leading hitter, drove in his third and fourth runs of the series, adding a third-inning sacrifice fly to deep leftfield after Ford, Ron Davenport and Victor Rodriguez lined base hits to start the inning.

Three straight doubles resulted in three more runs before Ford capped the rally with his second two-bagger in as many at-bats. Lancaster got to within 8-2 in the fourth thanks to Danny Bravo’s solo home run and Adam Shorsher’s run-scoring single.

The Ducks got back those runs via Juan Francia’s RBI single to start a two-run fifth. Michael Campbell hit a solo home run in the Barnstormers half of the seventh, marking its last run against Leek. The Ducks will now head across the Long Island Sound to face division rival Bridgeport in a three-game set starting Friday.

“I was just trying to put the ball in play and use the defense,” Leek said. “It’s nice to have a big lead so you know that if you do make a mistake, it won’t hurt you too bad.”

Despite coming off his best two offensive seasons, Ray Navarrete was asked to learn a new position before spring training. In his 10th professional season, the former infielder and corner outfielder is the Ducks new everyday third baseman. The move reached into the past, since Navarrete last manned the hot corner on a consistent basis as a 22-year-old rookie in his first year in the Pirates system in 2000.

“It’s taken me a little while to get used to it. There are some balls hit right at me and I can’t believe how fast they’re coming,” Navarrete said. “I don’t have time to dance around like I did at second base.”

Over the past two seasons, Navarrete drilled 45 homers and racked up 170 RBIs while displaying defensive versatility in switching from the corner outfield spots to the middle infield. The Ducks have been the beneficiary of that production, as Navarrete batted .308 in 2007 and finished last season at .307.

Utility players are usually viewed as valuable contributors off the bench who provide occasional offense but serve as reserves. Yet Navarrete’s numbers made the utility tag seem out of place. Not many backups have three-homer games or earn All-Star selections; two items Navarrete crossed of his checklist in 2008.

While starting primarily at second, Navarrete saw time all over the diamond. That movement helped the Ducks plug in holes on the roster but possibly could have hindered major league teams from extending an offer. Now, a permanent position could be mutually beneficial for the individual and the club.

“This organization has been extremely supportive of my career so far and I think they are getting creative in thinking of ways of what can help me get noticed,” Navarrete said. “If this is an opportunity for me to help these guys win a championship and maybe get noticed for me to get picked up for a major league team, then I’m all for it.”

Making the transition easier is the fact an experienced infielder is the team’s co-owner and coach. Buddy Harrelson and coach Kevin Baez continue to tutor Navarrete, hitting him ground balls to hone his skills. New manager Gary Carter is a Hall of Fame catcher and said he also supports the decision and said the move could make his player more marketable.

“Everybody knows he can play the other positions,” said Carter, who also has Navarrete batting in the leadoff spot. “If he continues to excel and swing the bat, he will get noticed more playing at third base.”

Current pitching coach Dave LaPoint was manager the past two seasons and was able to provide Carter first-hand accounts about Navarrete’s productivity. Before spring training, Carter called Navarrete and broached the idea about moving to third.

So far, the move is paying off. Navarrete entered Monday with two errors, though he has two of the Ducks four home runs and is batting .267 while slugging .467.

“You try to set your team up which is best conducive to winning,” Carter said. “Ray Navarrete is best for us at third base right now.”

Navarrete last played in the affiliated minor leagues in 2006, when he split time between the Mets Double and Triple-A levels. Yet after setting career-highs in nearly every major statistical category last season, the offers failed to come.

“It was a bad year for free agents in minor league baseball,” Navarrete said. “Whether it had something to do with the economy or they didn’t want to sign free agents…I got a few phone calls. At the end of the day, I didn’t get an invite to spring training.

“There are a lot of guys in this clubhouse in this league and who are very deserving of being in Triple-A or even in the big leagues right now.”

With his 31st birthday coming at the end of the month, Navarrete is young enough to scoff at the elder statesman tag. But Navarrete can serve as an example for teammates new to Long Island. In the Atlantic League, a one-year stint is common for most players while two-year tenure is a benchmark for consistency.

While his record isn’t on par with Brooks Robison’s 23-year run with Baltimore, Navarrete in his fourth season wearing the Ducks orange-and-green colors, making him the organization’s longest-serving player.

“I think so now for the first time,” Navarrete said. “Not that I didn’t view myself as a leader in the past, but we had some pretty big-name guys in here who have had a lot of success at the major league level and I was one of the guys soaking it all in.

“Now, I’m one of the few guys to have comeback and proven that I’m a decent player. I’m trying to help some guys here learn the ropes. There is a certain way to play for the Long Island Ducks. I know the coaches are looking at me as a leader.”

In 2007, Navarrete batted .300 for the first time since his first year in professional baseball in 2000 when he was on Pittsburgh’s Single-A club. An encore performance in 2008 featured a career-high in home runs (27), RBIs (103), slugging (.546) and on-base-plus slugging percentage (.937).

The Colts Neck, N.J. native posted identical .391 on-base percentages the last two seasons. Those numbers could even improve now that a mental burden has been lifted. He has already reached base safely in eight of the first nine games.

“It’s good to know for the first time in a long time I have a position to call home,” he said. “I’m usually running   around the field like a chicken without a head. It’s nice to know I’m going to be in one spot.

“Hopefully I can turn into one of the better third basemen in the league.”

Tonight’s (Sunday, May 3) Meet & Greet event scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Ronkonkoma has also been postponed and will be rescheduled for a later date.

The Ducks host the Lancaster Barnstormers on Monday, May 4, at Citibank Park. Gates open at 5:35 p.m., with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 p.m. The first 5,000 fans in attendance will receive 10^th Anniversary 2009 magnet schedules, courtesy of the QuackerJack Foundation. Fans unable to attend can tune into the game live via streaming webcast at www.liducks.com, with Casey Lynn calling the action. Tickets to the game and all upcoming Ducks home games are available at the Citibank Park Box Office, by calling (631) 940-TIXX, or by logging onto www.liducks.com and clicking on the tickets icon at the top of the page.

The Long Island Ducks play their home games at Citibank Park and are in their 10^th Anniversary Season in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. For further information, visit www.liducks.com, or call (631) 940-3825.

The announced crowd of 6,411 at Citibank Park, were given the lead for good in the bottom of the seventh inning, when Johnny Hernandez launched a Jared Gothreaux (0-2) fastball over the right field fence.  The victory for Long Island (5-4) gave manager Gary Carter, his first victory at home.

“It was a nice win to come back after the tough loss last night”, said Ducks Manager Gary Carter.

The start of the game was not a positive one, as Long Island starter and Ronkonkoma native B.J. LaMura had a difficult time in the first inning.  He seemed to have trouble getting his pitches in and when he did, the Patriot bats connected.  Two runs came home as a result of a Jeff Nettles single to left field, and a Matt Hagen double that just stayed away from the third base line.

Once the first inning was over, LaMura settled in and retired 10 Patriots in a row, before Anthony Granato reached on an error in right field by Raul Gonzalez.  In five and one third innings, LaMura gave up five hits and walked two, while striking out 3.

“I thought he did real well.  I know with a lot of family here, he started tough, but he settled down after that”, said Ducks Manager Gary Carter.  “He has earned another start.”

After Somerset’s Gothreaux got through the first nine batters with out getting allowing a Long Island batter to reach base, the Ducks cut the deficit to one on a broken bat bloop single by Raul Gonzalez, scoring Ray Navarette.

Gothreaux got into another groove allowing only one more hit over the next two and two-third innings, before walking Raul Gonzalez, and then giving up the home run to Hernandez.

Joe Valentine pitched a scoreless 7^th before the Ducks took the lead, to earn his second victory of the season.  Dan Miceli pitched a hitless eighth and Bill Simas closed the game for his fourth save of the season.  For the Ducks, it gives them a chance for Carter to experience a ‘happy recap’.

“Each game is a battle”, said Carter, but knows that it is good to get some good home cooking.  “You always want to play good in front of the big home crowd.  We know that we will get 6,000 a night at home, and hopefully tomorrow, we will win the series.

A victory on a fireworks night is always fun for the fans and the players alike.  Note: There are 10 of these planned for this season.

Quacker Notes: Who is hot?  Outfielder Johnny Hernandez, a former Cardinals farmhand, is batting .500 before tonight’s game, with 2 doubles, 2 triples and 6 runs batted in.  Now, add a home run.  Who is not?  Lew Ford, the former Minnesota Twin, has struggled so far.  He is 5 for 29 to start the season. “He may be battling himself right now”, said Carter after the game; “But he is a major leaguer that has been successful, and I believe that he will get out of it.”  Preston Wilson had his hitting streak stopped at seven games.  Ray Navarette’s streak is now at eight.

Brian Adams (1-1) was rocky in the first inning, allowing three runs, but settled in to pitch five innings, scattering eight hits with five strikeouts. Paul Bush emerged in relief with three dominant innings, giving up just one hit and fanning four. Randy Leek (0-2) gave up six runs on 11 hits and took the loss of Long Island. Travis Minix pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his third save of the season.

Ray Navarrete opened the scoring for the Ducks with a no-doubter over the left field wall in the first. But the momentum would change along with the weather, as the bottom of the first inning was interrupted by a one hour, 26 minute rain delay. The Ducks added to their lead when play resumed on an RBI double by Johnny Hernandez to take a 3-0 lead after one.

Somerset struck back with runs in the second and third innings, before taking the lead with a two-run homer in the fifth from Matt Hagen. The Patriots padded their edge with two runs in the sixth on an RBI double from Sean Smith and run-scoring hit by Noah Hall.

The Ducks continue their homestand on Saturday when they host the defending league champion Somerset Patriots. Game time is 7:05 p.m., and the Citibank Park gates open at 6:05 p.m. Righthander and Long Island native B.J. LaMura makes the start for Long Island against Somerset’s Jared Gothreaux. Following the game, all fans in attendance will be treated to a Grucci Fireworks Extravaganza, courtesy of New York Community Bank. Fans unable to attend can tune into all the action on WNYG 1440 AM or online at www.liducks.com, with Ducks radio voice Chris King and David Weiss calling the play-by-play.

The Long Island Ducks play their home games at Citibank Park and are in their 10^th Anniversary Season in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. For further information, visit www.liducks.com, or call (631) 940-3825.

Thoughts of acquiring Wilson might have germinated two decades ago. As a member of the Mets, Carter put together a very preliminary mental scouting report on Wilson, though the competition level at the time was a little suspect.

“He was always the MVP of family days,” said Carter with a laugh.

Wilson is the stepson of Mookie Wilson, a teammate of Carter on the Mets 1986 championship team.  As a child growing up around a big league clubhouse in Shea Stadium, young Preston learned the game from players like his stepfather and Carter, who was in the midst of forging a Hall of Fame catching career.

Through the first two games of the new season, Wilson recorded a home run, four runs scored and four RBIs, including a 1-3, one-run, one RBI showing Friday night in a 10-6 Ducks victory over Southern Maryland that moved the Flock to 2-0.

Childhood memories aside, Wilson established a more tangibles connection to the Mets as an adult. The Amazin’s selected Wilson in the first round of the 1992 draft. As a 23-year-old in 1998, Wilson made his major league debut at Shea and played eight games for the Mets, where Mookie was the first base coach.

But the family reunion would not last long. Wilson’s Mets run lasted just eight games, though he became a key piece in one of the organization’s most famous trades. The Mets shipped the outfielder to Florida in the Mike Piazza trade.

Wilson played three full seasons for the Marlins before making stops in Colorado, Washington and Houston. He split 2006 with the Astros and Cardinals, marking his last full year in baseball. St. Louis. Wilson was limited to just 25 games with St. Louis in 2007, needing surgery to repair articular cartilage in his right knee.

With his 35th birthday coming in July, Wilson said he joined the Ducks for the typical reasons: get back to the big leagues, show the scouts his bat still has life and play against quality competition. But the Bamberg, South Carolina native said he has another goal for 2009.

“I was really frustrated sitting at home after the surgery,” Wilson said. “I came here to fall in love of the game again. It’s been such a big part of my life and I felt like I lost it.”

Despite batting a career .264 with 189 home runs and 668 RBIs in 10 major league seasons, no one called Wilson in 2008.  In 2003 the 6-2, 193-pound outfielder made his first All-Star team en route of belting a career-high 36 home runs while racking up 141 RBIs for the Rockies. Just five years later, Wilson was stuck in his Miami, Fl. home.

There are some positives for Wilson, who got to spend time with his six-year-old daughter. He said having to leave her to get on a plane to New York was the hardest part about starting the season, though a successful Ducks stint could mean his daughter might get the chance to see her dad play at the highest level once again. Wilson said his year off was difficult even if it allowed for personal reflection.

“No one is immune from life,” Wilson said. “I know there are people worse off than having to rehab a knee. When it’s done, it will be done.”

Carter said he would like to see Wilson make it to the majors and thinks the talent level is still there.

“I feel like he’s family,” Carter said.  ”I know how bad he wants to get back to the big leagues.”

New York will be Wilson’s home away from home this season, and Carter isn’t the only familiar face. Buddy Harrelson, the Ducks co-owner and coach, was the third base coach on the Mets 1986 team. That position of authority still resonates with Wilson 23 years later.

“I still call him Mr. Harrelson. It’s hard for me to call him Buddy,” Wilson said during Ducks media day. “I grew up around New York more than anywhere else.”

The 2009 season opener took place on Thursday with a 7-4 victory on the road versus the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. The former major leaguers that fill a good portion of the Ducks’ roster played a big part, with Brad Halsey earning the win; three hits in four at-bats by Preston Wilson and Bill Simas getting the save.

While the Ducks look strong on paper, the name of the game in the independent Atlantic League is to start off fast before the major league organizations start picking apart your roster. Winning the division in the first half will get you in the playoffs so that is the goal early on.

PITCHING

Halsey is a former Yankee, Diamondback and Athletic, and the southpaw will look to rebound after sitting out last season. His last taste of ‘The Show’ came in 2006 when he went 5-4 in Oakland.

Righthander Ken Ray is back on Long Island after a brief appearance as a Duck seven seasons ago. In two stints in the majors, Ray has a 2-1 record with a 5.13 ERA. His most recent came in 2006, when Ray went 1-1 with a 4.52 ERA as an Atlanta Brave.

Last summer, lefty Randy Leek won 12 games for the Ducks, tying a club record. Born and bred in Levittown, he will be beginning his third season playing in his own backyard.

Another Long Islander returns with Joe Valentine making his second stop with the Ducks. In 2008, he went 5-3 before moving on to play with two AA clubs in the Phillies and Reds organizations.

Ronkonkoma native B.J. Lamura, 28, has started 50 games in the minors since being drafted by the White Sox in the fifth round of the 2002 draft.

In 17 seasons in professional baseball, Dan Miceli has carved out a nice career for himself as a reliable reliever. His prior stops, all 10 of them, may have labeled him as a journeyman, but he brings a ton of experience to town.

When the Ducks won the Atlantic League championship in 2004, the pitcher getting the final out in all of their big games was none other than Simas. The 6′3″, 230-pound righthander is back for his second stint at Citibank Park after pitching this past winter in the Puerto Rican Baseball League.

Rounding out the rest of the staff are Ed “Bubbie” Buzachero, Troy Cate, Mike Hryino and Jason Norderum.

INFIELD

Ron Davenport, the lefthanded hitting first baseman, has showed good power numbers in the Toronto, Pittsburgh and Milwaukee organizations. He played with the Camden Riversharks last season and hit .336 with 18 home runs and 93 RBI.

The double play combination of Juan Francia and Alex Prieto should make for some exciting defensive baseball. Francia, who played 26 games on Long Island last year, posted a .967 fielding percentage with the Ducks and Lancaster Barnstormers.

A former Minnesota Twin, Prieto spent the 2008 season with the Bluefish and batted .269 with 12 long balls. He has spent eight seasons at the AAA level, most recently two years ago in Pawtucket in the Boston Red Sox organization.

Beginning his third season with the Ducks, Ray Navarette has become one of the team’s most consistent hitters, earning All-Star honors the previous two years. In 2007, he set team records for doubles, extra-base hits and runs scored. Last summer, he hit 27 homers and drove in 103 runs.

Back-ups include Matt Cavagnaro, Dennis Donovan, Victor Rodriguez and Gabe Suarez.

OUTFIELD

Centerfield has always been a strong point of the Ducks and nothing has changed with the signing of Lew Ford. A veteran of five major league seasons, the former Twin’s best year came in 2004 when he went .292/15/72.

Preston Wilson was part of the Mike Piazza trade when the Mets acquired the perennial All-Star backstop from the Marlins and the slugger has hit 189 balls out of major league parks in a decade of play. He looks to make his way back by showing he can still jack the ball and he started off hot with a home run in the season opener. Wilson, never known for his defense, will see the majority of his action as the designated hitter.

A Brooklyn boy, left fielder Johnny Hernandez played with Bridgeport in 2007 and brings his switch-hitting skills closer to home. He had spent some time in the Cardinals organization after being drafted out of Xaverian High School in 1997.

Raul Gonzales, a 35-year-old veteran of four major league organizations, spent some time up in the bigs with the Mets in ‘03 and is penciled in as the Ducks starting right fielder.

Being from Central Islip, Estee Harris begins his third season at home and batted over .300 for the Flock before being signed to the White Sox Single-A affiliate.

MANAGER/COACHING STAFF

Keeping in the tradition with a decidedly Mets flavor, the Ducks hired Gary Carter as manager and retained Dave LaPoint, last year’s field boss, as pitching coach. The face of the franchise is still Bud Harrelson and he will be on hand as the third base coach. Kevin Baez, another former Met and Duck player, returns as infield coach.

Carter, who has made it no secret that he wants to manage in the major leagues, hopes to bridge his way back by winning a second consecutive independent league title. Last year he led the Orange County Flyers to the Golden Baseball League championship after managing in the Mets organization beginning with the 2005 season.

Before the Ducks posted a 7-4 Opening Day win over Southern Maryland to make Carter’s debut a successful one, the former Mets and Expos great said an October discussion with owner Frank Boulton sold him on the idea of coming to Long Island.

“When we first met, I played in Joe Namath’s tournament in Bethpage,” said Carter, who said Boulton gave him a car so he could come to Citibank Park and have a sit-down. “He made an offer and I shared it with my wife and she gave her blessing and I accepted it.”

Long Island fans can thank Namath for still helping to improve the area’s sports landscape four decades after leading the Jets to its only Super Bowl victory. Like Namath, Carter won a championship in New York, playing a starring role in the Mets 1986 World Series championship team.

Carter is now 1-0 as Ducks manager thanks to a bullpen that logged four innings of one-run ball. Preston Wilson, who was briefly a former Met, went 3-4 with three runs scored and two RBIs in his first game as a Duck while ex-Yankee Brad Halsey limited the Blue Crabs to three runs in five innings to earn the win.

After openly campaigning for the Mets managerial job last year, Carter said he is focused on his current job. The 55-year-old once nicknamed “The Kid” has enjoyed a successful post-playing career, first as roving catching instructor before becoming a minor league manager.

Working in the Mets farm system, Carter was named Manager of the Year of the Gulf Coast League in 2005. He duplicated that accomplishment in the Florida State League 2006, when he led the Single-A St. Lucie Mets to the FSL championship.

After leaving the Mets, Carter managed the Orange County Flyers in the Golden Baseball League, winning Manager of the Year honors there. Like the Ducks, the Flyers operate as an independent minor league team. The Atlantic League houses better facilities and a much higher class of baseball; something Carter said was a big incentive to come to Central Islip.

“This is a 4-A league,” said Carter, who said the quality is slightly above Triple-A level and features many players who are near Major League-ready. “I still have a lot of friends up this way and I love the idea of being on the East Coast.”

“I love this game. Frank said the Ducks are as exciting of an organization next to the Mets and Yankees on Long Island. I saw this ballpark and was overwhelmed because it’s such a pretty ballpark, it’s fan friendly and they draw well.”

The Ducks continue to lead the Atlantic League in attendance, averaging 6,092 fans per game in a ballpark with a listed capacity of 6,002. Standing room tickets make up for a packed stadium nearly every game, with the Ducks logging 49 sell-outs in 69 openings last season.

On the field, Carter will be asked to deliver the Ducks its second championship and first since 2004. The club has qualified for the postseason five straight seasons, though it has lost in the first-round four straight years, including three consecutive sweeps despite a roster that has featured more former major leaguers and high-profile players than any other competitor.

Carter said managing in the big leagues is still a goal. He added that if the opportunity does not come, he will not be too disappointed.

“I made my feelings known of what I would like, but that’s not the emphasis,” Carter said. “My passion and love is on the field. If it does materialize into something at the major league level in the future, that would be great. If it doesn’t, I understand the way the game works.

“I’ve learned that through my four years as a coach and catching instructor and now four years as a manager. It’s not always the most-prepared or the best person for the job. It goes without saying it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.”

The former great Mets backstop will look to add another line to an impressive baseball resume and once again be part of a contending New York team when he makes his Long Island Ducks managerial debut Thursday night.

Opening Day features the Ducks kicking off its 10th season against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. Speaking at the team’s media day at Citibank Park on Wednesday, Carter said he has moved on from the criticism he endured for opening campaigning for the Mets managerial job last season.

Carter said he still would like to manage in the major leagues but insisted on numerous occasions that he is focused on bringing the Ducks it second Atlantic League title.

“I didn’t come here for any attention,” Carter said. “I wanted to challenge and I wanted to manage on the East Coast. All I’m concentrating on in this team.”

Dave LaPoint spent the last two seasons as Ducks manager. He returns as the pitching coach and the point man for personnel decisions and  said he is excited to see one of the more impressive pitching staffs the organization has compiled to start a season.

Former Yankee Brad Halsey will get the Opening Day start. Ken Ray, who last pitched in the majors for Atlanta in 2006, will go the second day and Ducks holdover Randy Leek will be third in the rotation, keeping him in line for the home opener start May 1.

Ray, a right-hander, will break up lefties in Halsey and Leek. B.J. Lamura is slated to start the year as the fourth starter. LaPoint said he is also excited about the bullpen, where the closer represents a link to the Ducks past.

Bill Simas, who closed for the Ducks 2004 championship team and was out of baseball from 2006-07 before coming back to the Mexican League last season, is penciled in as the closer. Setting him will be Dan Miceli, a veteran of 631 major league games. Joe Valentine closed games for the Ducks last season and is back for another term. Ed Buzachero rounds out the set-up corps.

“We have four relievers who can throw in the 90s,” LaPoint said. “When a guy needs a day off, we have options.”

The offense also features its share of former major leaguers, headlined by Preston Wilson and ex-Twin Lou Ford. Among the notable returnees is Ray Navarrete, who logged 103 RBIs in batting .307 for the Ducks last season. With those accomplished hitters and stable of veteran pitchers, Carter said he’s excited after seeing the Ducks go 2-0-2 to conclude last week’s exhibition schedule in Florida.

“Our lineup will score runs,” Carter said. “We only had a short time in spring training, but what I enjoyed most was the chemistry in the clubhouse and on the field.”

Halsey said playing for Carter, a catcher on the 1986 Mets and a 19-year major league veteran, is a special experience and one he cherishes more now than he would have when he was a 23-year-old coming up with the Yankees in 2004.

“It’s something that I’ve grown to appreciate through my two years away from the game while rehabbing,” Halsey said. “When you’re forced into a situation when you’re not able to play, that’s when you appreciate the game the most.”

Leek is the probable starter for the Ducks home opener after the club starts with seven road games, including a season-opening four-game set against the Blue Crabs followed by a three-game series in Lancaster.

Brad Halsey’s acclimation process lasted exactly one start. As a 23-year-old Yankee prospect in 2004, Halsey limited the Dodgers to just two runs on five hits in 5 2/3 innings, earning the win in his major league debut.

As a reward, Halsey’s next two starts came in front of sold-out Yankee Stadium crowds who agonized and analyzed every pitch the Houston native threw. Asking someone barely out of college to pitch against the Mets and Red Sox-the Bombers top two rivals in terms of fan passion-can be a daunting task for any pitcher. While Halsey lost to the Mets, he held his own against the Red Sox and picked up a no-decision.

Five years later, Halsey is coming off arm surgery and looking to revive his career. That journey can take a positive turn tonight when Halsey takes the mound as the Ducks Opening Day starter against Southern Maryland.

Halsey last pitched in the majors in 2006, going 5-4 for Oakland. In 40 career starts, he is 14-19 with a respectable 4.84 ERA. The Yankees former eighth-round draft pick and University of Texas standout is just 28 and looking to complete a comeback following his July 2007 surgery to repair a torn labrum.

“I just take it one second at a time and enjoy every time I’m able to throw a ball and my arm feels good,” Halsey said.

The 6-1, 187-pound left-hander impressed Ducks manager Gary Carter and pitching coach Dave LaPoint enough to warrant the Opening Day assignment, which Halsey said is an honor at any professional level.

“It absolutely is an honor,” Halsey said. “There are a lot of guys in this clubhouse who have as much or even more major league experience than I do. Anytime you have an opportunity to start Opening Day, it’s a great thing.”

Former Ducks Bill Pulsipher was one of the players Halsey consulted in researching the Ducks. Earlier in the decade, Pulsipher parlayed a stint with the Ducks into another major league job, giving players like Halsey someone to emulate in trying to make a comeback into affiliated baseball.

Before coming to Long Island, Halsey pitched winter ball in Puerto Rico, where his new team got an endorsement.

“Just knowing some of the guys and for the last two years sitting at home doing rehab, I noticed there were a lot of good players in this league,” Halsey said. “For someone in my situation who has a lot to prove; this is a good place to do it.”

LaPoint said the Ducks signed an outstanding defensive catcher in John Pachot, who spent the last two seasons playing against the Flock for the Newark Bears. Pachot’s game-calling could help Halsey, along with playing under a Hall of Famer catcher in Carter.

“My experience is that catchers make the best managers because they have knowledge of the entire game” Halsey said. “Not only are they immersed in the relationship between the battery, they also have to take a bat up there all the time, which as pitchers, we don’t always have that experience.

“As a catcher, he [Carter] knows all facets of what goes on out there.”

“I’m very proud to be back in New York and with this organization,” said Carter after donning a home white No. 8 Ducks jersey. “I came here to try and provide a championship with the Ducks. I love to teach and to be in uniform and work with the kids. I’m here to provide my knowledge and experience.”

During his introductory press conference at Citibank Park, Carter said he is looking forward to managing again while also attempting to repair his reputation. Last spring, Carter was criticized by media members and former Mets teammates for publicly suggesting he would be interested in the Mets job before Willie Randolph was fired in June.

“Things can be taken out of context,” Carter said about proclaiming his interest in coaching or managing at the major league level. “There was no intention to undermine anybody. I was asked a question if I’d be interested. Of course I’d be interested in any capacity. If it’s not with the Mets, then maybe with someone else.”

“I’ve always worn my heart on my sleeve and that’s the way I answered it. Unfortunately, I was thrown under the bus for it. I’ve learned from it, though. ”

Managing the Ducks won’t be Carter’s first foray in the independent minor leagues. Carter led the Orange County Flyers to the Golden Baseball League (Calif.) championship last year. The Atlantic League is also unaffiliated with any major league clubs, though it is generally considered to be at a high level. Former big league All-Stars like Carl Everett and Edgardo Alfonzo, who both played for the Ducks the past two seasons, said it’s comparable to Triple-A.

The Atlantic League hasn’t elevated coaches through the big league ranks. Kevin Baez parlayed his experience as Ducks third-base coach into a job with the Mets as a minor league instructor before returning to Long Island last season.

But Carter said he is focused on leading the Ducks out of the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 2004. A title this year would coincide with the Ducks 10th anniversary.

“I don’t put a lot of emphasis on a lot of rules and regulations,” Carter said. “I ask for three things: be on time, play the game hard and have respect for one another and the organization.

“There won’t be any embarrassing things that occur because then we’re going to have a problem. That’s all I expect of players. Once I see that, they won’t play. We should be honored to wear this uniform.”

Ducks principal owner Frank Boulton said Carter, 54, won’t be choosing a new coaching staff. Baez will still be the third-base coach and co-owner Buddy Harrelson will handle the first-base coaching duties for home games. Dave LaPoint, who served as manager the past two seasons, will be the pitching coach; the same job he handled for the team’s championship run in 2004.

LaPoint will also maintain his involvement in front office decisions. Boulton said LaPoint will be the franchise’s vice president of baseball operations.

“He’ll be the point person on putting our club together,” Boulton said. “We’re going to have pretty much a new club next year. We’re bringing in a lot of fresh faces. Dave will be working year-round with us for procuring the players.”

Carter, a two-time All-Star game MVP and five-time Silver Slugger winner, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2003. The backstop of the Mets 1986 championship team earned two Manager of the Year honors coaching the Amazing’s system, leading his team to a Florida State League title in 2006.

Carter reunites with Harrelson, a coach on that 1986 team. The former Expos standout said he is looking forward to learning from Harrelson, who also served as a big league manager.

“He’s a great friend and being that he is a part owner and part of this team, I can feed off of him for his expertise,” Carter said. “Being a big leaguer manager and big league coach, I’m going to pick his brain.

“This league is a very competitive league, and that’s what I’m excited about because I’ll gain more experience and knowledge towards handling players who have played at the major league level. That will hopefully lead on to bigger and better things.”

Instead of being in the dugout of Citi Field, the Hall of Fame catcher will manage at Citibank Park, taking the helm of the Long Island Ducks.

“As we head into our 10th anniversary season, we are excited to have Gary on board to lead our team,” said Ducks principal owner Frank Boulton in a statement. “He has had great success in baseball both as a player and a manager, and we are confident he will help bring an Atlantic League championship back to Long Island.”

Carter comes to Long Island fresh off a year where he managed the Orange County Flyers of the Golden League to a championship. Before that he managed in the Mets system in 2006 and 2006. Yet minor league manager is not his ultimate goal. The member of the 1986 Mets wants to manage in the majors and made it clear this past year when he lobbied on Sirius Satellite for Willie Randolph’s job, even though the manager still was employed by the team.

It caused some controversy and former teammate and current team broadcaster Keith Hernandez criticized Carter on the air.

Nevertheless, Carter moved on and will manage a Long Island Ducks team which is co-owned by Carter’s old coach Buddy Harrelson. He replaced Dave LaPoint, who now moves over to become pitching coach.

Carter will be introduced Monday at a press conference.

Davis—the only Duck remaining from the 2004 squad—couldn’t find his dominant form Tuesday night. The southpaw was tagged for four runs in 5 2/3 innings as the Camden Riversharks won, 5-1, in Game 1 of the Liberty Division playoffs in front of 4,910 at Citibank Park.

Camden sent nine men to the plate during a four-run sixth inning, taking control of the best-of-three set. The Riversharks will have two chances to close out the series at home starting Wednesday night. Game 3, if necessary, will also be held at Campbell’s Field.

Kevin Walker quieted the Ducks bats, limiting the home team to just six hits in seven innings. The Ducks have lost its last seven postseason games dating back to the first round in 2005. Staff ace Randy Leek will go in the elimination game, giving manager Dave LaPoint reason for some optimism.

“There’s no panic situation,” LaPoint said. “We have a 12-game winner going for us and it’s not like we haven’t hit up there [Camden]. It should another great game. I would look for us to break out a little more offensively. We’ll be more in a groove.”

Walker allowed a run in the second but quickly found his grove. The lefty retired 12 straight batters from the third to the seventh inning. Walker induced two double plays and silenced the heart of the Ducks order. LaPoint watched his 2-5 hitters go a combined 2-16.

Carl Everett, who hit a team-record 29 home runs during the regular season, was 1-4 with a single. Ray Navarrete posted a franchise-record 103 RBIs, was just 1-4 and hit a bases-loaded fly out. Edgardo Alfonzo and Pete Rose Jr. each went hitless in four at-bats.

“We know what’s ahead of us,” Rose said. “We can’t look ahead to Game 3. We have to go out tomorrow and play. With the guys we have in here, I don’t think anyone is going to put any extra pressure on themselves. We’ll just go out and do whatever we need to do.”

Davis pitched out of trouble until the sixth when the Riversharks racked up four runs and five hits to chase the former Cincinnati Red. Shawn Boyd and Nic Jackson started the frame with singles. Following a flyout, L.J. Bierbaum erased a 1-0 deficit by lifting a RBI single to right.

Tyler Von Schell’s run-scoring groundout broke the tie the next batter. Third baseman Bryant Nelson didn’t field the grounder cleanly yet recovered to get the out at first. Biernbaum was running on the pitch, negating any chance of a double play on the grounder.

Bierbaum’s aggressive base running contributed to two insurance runs. Sheldon Fulse ripped a double off the base of the wall in left-center to score Biernbaum and Michael Thompson’s single plated Fulse and ended Davis’ evening with the Ducks trailing 4-1. Davis would not speak to the media after the game.

“He threw good and gave us a chance to get ahead,” LaPoint said about Davis. “The other guy just threw better.”

Davis escaped out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the second. After retiring the first batter, Davis allowed two singles and a walk before striking out ninth-hitting Josh Arhart on a 2-2 pitch and inducing David Espinosa to ground into a fielder’s choice to squash the scoring threat.

The Ducks responded by breaking open the scoring in the bottom half of the inning. Camden’s Juan Francia tapped a bases-loaded soft roller to third, where Michael Thompson scooped the grounder and fired to first. Thompson’s throw was in time, but first base umpire Dan Wilson ruled Von Schell bobbled the ball, allowing Nelson to score the game’s first run. Ray Navarrete couldn’t add to the lead, flying out to right to end the rally.

“He [Walker] didn’t change his game plan,” LaPoint said. “He just threw outside, outside, outside. He had really good control. He had a good changeup and sinker going into the same spot. The differential in speed…he was getting ahead of everybody with the fastball and a good sinker. It didn’t do us any good if we were aggressive or if we waited on him.”

Shawn Boyd belted a solo home run off Ryan Knippschild in the eighth, padding the lead to 5-1. Ben Grezlovski gave the Ducks offense a chance to make a comeback, tossing 2 1/3 scoreless innings in relief of Davis. Grezlovski surrendered just one hit and walk, striking out three.

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.

The duo contributed back-to-back jacks during a six-run fifth inning in which the Bears took an 8-5 lead. Mateo’s homer was his second of the game, his seventh in the past six games, and his fifteenth of the season. Not to be outdone, Simon blasted his second homer of the game off the scoreboard in right field during four-run eighth inning to break the game open for the Bears. This was the sixth consecutive game to feature a Bears home run, and multiple Bears have homered in five of the six.

Every Bears starter collected at least one hit during the game. In his second consecutive three-hit game, Keith Reed went 3-4 with three singles, a walk, and scored once. Mateo and Simon both went 3-5 with two home runs and a single. Mateo collected five RBI and Simon earned four in his second consecutive three-hit outing.

After Mateo tied the game 2-2 with a two-run home run launched over the left field net in the third inning, Damian Rolls responded with a two-run shot of his own in the top of the fourth. Jamie Pogue also homered in the inning, giving the Ducks a 5-2 lead. An RBI single by Pogue cut the Bears lead to 8-6 in the eighth inning. Rolls finished the game 3-4, ending a triple short of the cycle.

Bears starter Benito Baez (6-4) earned the win, giving up five runs on ten hits through seven innings of work, walking none and striking out six. Alay Soler (3-4) suffered the loss, allowing eleven hits and eight runs over 4.1 innings.

The Bears begin a three-game home series against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs tomorrow evening with a 7:05. Jeff Blitstein (0-0) will be making his home debut for the Bears, facing Ryan Bicondoa (11-6). Along with the usual Kids Eat Free Mondays, where all children under age 14 receive a free food voucher, tomorrow is also White Out. Wear white pants, shorts, skirt, or dress and receive free admission in celebration of Labor Day (and the last day of the Wearing White Season).

The Bears play their home games at Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium, conveniently located off Route 280, across the street from the Newark-Broad St. train station, and just minutes from Route 78, the New Jersey Turnpike, and the Garden State Parkway. For ticket information, please call 1-866-55-4BEAR or visit the Bears website at www.newarkbears.com.

Jose Garcia and company halted the powerful Ducks for a third straight game, taking three-out-of-four from a team that entered the series on a nine-game winning streak.

Garcia (9-4) hurled eight fantastic innings, yielding just four hits and one earned run while striking out six. He kept the potent Long Island lineup at bay all afternoon, making just one mistake in the third inning.

Abe Alvarez (6-2) was also fantastic, going the distance for the Ducks but was not quite good enough to defeat Garcia on this day.

With the wind blowing in strongly from right field, runs were at a premium throughout the game. Kevin Haverbusch and Raul Gonzalez combined for nine putouts on the afternoon on balls that couldn’t quite make it over the wall.

Robert Sandora drew first blood for the Long Island Ducks in the third inning. He sent Jose Garcia’s offering to the opposite field, just clearing the short porch in left to give them a 1-0 lead.

Newark answered back in the fourth when Ramon Castro hit a solo home run of his own over the wall down the right-field line, getting enough on the ball to push it through the stiff wind that the ball was facing. The game was tied at 1.

That was all the offenses could muster for most of the game. Garcia found himself in a little trouble in the sixth inning after Dennis Donovan reached on an error by Vic Gutierrez. P.J. Rose singled him to third with two outs and the Ducks had found a rally. But Garcia reached back and struck out Edgardo Alfonzo to leave the runners stranded.

After Will Otanez’s double in the fourth, Alvarez retired 11 straight batters until that fateful eighth inning, when the Bears finally took the lead.

Ramon Nivar smashed a one-out double into the left-centerfield gap, giving the Bears the best chance to score since the fourth. Gutierrez came up and atoned for his earlier error by ripping a single into right. Nivar came flying around third and slid around Jamie Pogue’s block of the late, beating the throw and scoring the winning run.

Shaun Babula came on to face Rose in the ninth and struck him out looking. Manager Wayne
Krenchicki then turned the ball over to Ed Almonte (4) to finish the job. Although he gave up a double to Alfonzo, he got Kevin Haverbusch and Kyle Nichols to ground out and end the game.
It was a thrilling victory for the Bears, who now feel their season turn on a dime and believe they can repeat as champions once again.

Newark travels to Lancaster for a three-game set against the Barnstormers before returning to The Den for another weekend series against the Long Island Ducks.

For most of the year, Newark pounded the opposition with a barrage of hits and home runs, pouring on the runs with a superior lineup. They’re a different team now, winning close, low-scoring games like the one on Saturday night at Riverfront Stadium. They defeated the Long Island Ducks 5-4 to guarantee at least a split of the four-game series.

The Bears had to battle back from a deficit as the Ducks took an early lead in the top of the second inning. With two out and no one on, Damian Rolls blasted a home run over the left-field wall off the netting for a 1-0 Long Island advantage.

Long Island added two more in the top of the fifth on another home run, this one a two-run shot by Dennis Donovan. He shocked every person at the The Den by depositing just his second bomb of the year beyond the left-field wall.

Through six innings, Long Island starter Jose Paniagua was cruising along, with the exception of a bases-loaded jam in the fourth inning which he escaped by striking out the side in between three hits by Newark.

At the time, the game’s outlook wasn’t a rosy one for the Bears. Paniagua had a four-hit shutout going, and Newark was wasting a very good start by Roberto Giron who struggled mightily in his two previous starts, compiling an earned run average of 10.18. Giron had given up three runs, but was battling hard and keeping his ballclub in the game.

The Bears were finally able to reach Paniagua in the seventh inning. Randall Simon and Raul Gonzalez led-off the frame with singles bringing up Ramon Nivar. Nivar smashed a double down the left-field line scoring Simon from second. Scott Knazek came up to the plate and was hit by the first pitch that Paniagua threw.

At that point, Long Island manager Dave LaPoint had seen enough. Paniagua (3-1) was lifted after that sequence in favor of right-hander Travis Wade. Wade struck out Bobby Hill on a three-two fastball to get the first out of the inning. But then Ramon Castro stepped to the dish and singled up the middle, scoring Gonzalez and Nivar to knot the game at 3. After Keith Reed grounded into a fielder’s choice, Will Otanez laced a single into left field. Castro beat a close play at home to give the Bears a 4-3 lead.

Wayne Krenchicki also went to the bullpen after that inning. Cory Willey came on in the eighth, replacing Giron (1-2) who, despite behind on the losing end most of the game, left as the pitch of record on the winning side. Giron kept his team in the game by giving up just three runs on five hits over seven innings and striking out six.

Andy Shibilo (5) came on with one out in the ninth and got the final two outs for the save.
Rolls led Long Island offensively, going four-for-four and being a thorn in the side of the Bears all night long. Gonzalez countered Rolls by reaching base four times himself on three singles and a first-inning error by the shortstop Donovan.

Newark and Long Island complete their four-game series on Sunday at The Den. The Long Island southpaw Abe Alvarez will start on the hill against Newark’s Jose Garcia.

He entered the night’s contest with a 13-6 record, his win total tying Jack Armstrong’s 2001 campaign total. Bumstead pitched an excellent game, yielding just four hits and striking out six over eight strong innings. However, his bullpen could not hold his lead and he took a no-decision for the night.

In three previous starts against the Ducks, Bumstead was 1-2 and had not pitched particularly well in any of those games. However, he managed to earn a win on July 8th at Citibank Park, despite giving up five earned runs.

The Ducks offense got on the board early, striking for two runs in the first inning. Edgardo Alfonzo, the second batter of the game, reached on a broken-bat single up the middle which brought P.J. Rose to the plate. Rose hit Bumstead’s offering deep over the right-field wall for the early advantage.

Bumstead settled down yielding just one walk and one more hit through the sixth inning. Meanwhile, the Bears offense was able to wake up and beginning hitting off Ducks starter Randy Leek.

Newark responded in the bottom of the fourth inning with two runs of their own to re-tie the game at 2. Ramon Castro and Keith Reed hit back-to-back home runs off Leek to nearly the same spot beyond the left-center field wall. Reed’s homer was his team-leading 20th of the season.

Newark charged ahead 3-2 in the bottom of the sixth inning. Keith Reed smashed a one-out double off the wall in centerfield, setting the table for Willis Otanez’s two-out RBI single through the right side of the infield.

The Ducks responded immediately when Ray Navarette tied the game with his 23rd home run of the season.

However, the Bears would counter right back in the bottom of the frame. Raul Gonzalez reached with a one-out single and was lifted for pinch-runner Mike Just. After Just advanced to second on Ramon Nivar’s groundout, Bobby Hill singled into right field. Third base coach Ryan Jones waved Just around beat a close play at the plate to give Newark the lead.

Bumstead entered the eighth with the lead and set the Long Island order down 1-2-3, entrusting his bullpen to protect his lead.

Reliever Andy Shibilo (1-1) entered the ninth to try and hold the small margin, but Rose blasted Shibilo’s fastball over the wall for his second home run of the game, knotting the game at 4.

Ramon Nivar led-off the tenth, singling off Ducks reliever Vic Darensbourgh. After Hill sacrificed him over to second, Ramon Castro hit a slow ground ball to third, where Rose had moved to in the sixth inning. Even a perfect throw would not have gotten Castro at first, but the throw was wild and Nivar came around to score and send the Bears home as winners.

Unfortunately for Bumstead, he will have to wait for his next start to try and break that record.

Randy Leek who was on the short end of the decision until Rose’s home run still has not lost since Jun. 4. He battled Bumstead well, giving up nine hits and four earned runs over seven innings.

The Bears and Ducks meet Saturday afternoon for the third game of a four-game series. Robert Giron takes the mound for Newark while Long Island counters with Jose Paniagua.

Carl Everett continued his meteoric rise up the offensive leader-boards, driving in two runs to support Lance Davis’ season-best effort as the Ducks swept the Somerset Patriots via a 6-0 victory Wednesday night.

Davis pitched a complete-game shutout, capping a 10-game homestand in which his club went 9-1. Edgardo Alfonzo broke open the scoring in the third, lining a two-run double to score the first of Nook Logan’s three runs on the evening.

In just 2:10, Davis helped produce the fastest game of the year after limiting the Patriots to just three hits. The southpaw, who limited Southern Maryland to just four hits in six innings last time out, has tossed 15 scoreless innings in his last two starts, improving to 3-2.

“That’s vintage Lance right there; 87 pitches,” manager Dave LaPoint said. “You keep building, building, building and the pitching just keeps getting stronger.”

Everett padded the one-run lead in the fifth, lining an opposite-field single to score Logan and Alfonzo for the insurance runs. The hot-hitting switch-hitter helped the Ducks extended its winning streak to eight, racketing his RBI total up to 87.

For good measure, Alfonzo belted his sixth homer of the season; lifting a two-run shot in the seventh to make it 5-0. Richard Hidalgo’s garbage time solo homer added the final run, providing Ducks with momentum entering a four-game series in Newark starting Thursday night.

“The whole thing right now; it doesn’t really matter home or road,” LaPoint said. “The pitching has been so good wherever we go. I think they’re building confidence with each other. They are all trying to get off to good starts so we can score some runs.”

When the Ducks arrived home Aug. 11, it trailed Southern Maryland by a game in the Liberty Division standings. The Flock’s only blemish on the homestand was a two-run loss in the second game. During the nearly two-week stretch that included sellouts for all 10 games, the Ducks outscored the Blue Crabs, Barnstormers and Patriots 77-37 and forged a five-game first-place lead.

Davis, the lone member on the current playing roster who was on the Ducks 2004 championship squad, even exceed fellow lefty Randy Leek’s outing on Sunday when the staff ace hurled a complete-game five hitter. With Abe Alvarez, Jose Paniagua and Alay Soler also picking up victories, the rotation is no longer a weakness.

Davis struck out four batters and pitched past the sixth inning for the first time in five starts since leaving home in Florida and joining the Ducks at the end of July.

“I feel really comfortable,” Davis said. “When I first got here, I had to get some innings in and get underneath myself. Now, I feel like my arm is alive and we have a really good defense behind me. You just have to use everybody.”

Somerset flubbed two routine ground balls in the third inning Monday night. Consider that the key to failure, as the Ducks capitalized by scoring five runs en route to a 13-4 blowout victory over Somerset in Game 2. By sweeping the doubleheader over the Patriots, the Ducks extended its winning streak to six and have now won 11 in the past 13.

The surging Ducks offense was mostly quiet in the opener of the twin seven-inning contests. But Rob Sandora produced the clutch hit, breaking a tie via a two-out RBI single in the sixth inning as the Ducks won Game 1, 3-2, in front of the 38th sold-out crowd at Citibank Park this season.

Earlier in the evening, Southern Maryland snapped an eight-game losing streak. But the Ducks still gained a half-game in the Liberty Division standings, now sitting four games on the top spot.

“It’s good because we have to work for everything we’re getting right now,” manager Dave LaPoint said. “Everybody’s working pretty hard to get there. They feel good about themselves.”

Despite playing just seven innings, the Ducks still cracked the double-digit run total for the fourth time in six games. Kevin Haverbusch continued his torrid hitting in the nightcap, recording three RBIs to support Jose Paniagua’s strong start. Pete Rose Jr.’s grand slam padded the run total and allowed LaPoint to rest the majority of his key relievers.

Following Abe Alvarez’s complete-game, two run gem, Paniagua followed with another quality start in the second game. The righty did not allow an earned run in five innings, improving to 3-0 as the Ducks are riding its longest winning streak of the season.

“What’s good about us is, if there’s a guy on second with less than two outs, we’re going to try and get them over for the next guy,” Rose said. “The big thing is if I don’t get my job done, other guys will pick me up.

“Guys are starting to understand that if we don’t get the job done, we have confidence in the guys behind us that they will pick us up.”

The Ducks batted around in the second, scoring five times against Somerset’s Josh Brey. Richard Hidalgo’s leadoff single resulted in a run two batters later. Damian Rolls saw his 22-game hitting streak end in the first game but started a new ledger in his first at-bat, driving home Hidalgo before scoring on Haverbusch’s single.

Nook Logan added a two-run triple and scored on Carl Everett’s RBI infield single as the Ducks forged a 5-0 lead. The only bad news for the Ducks was Hidalgo exiting after making the last out in the third. The former Mets outfielder did not come out for the top of the third. Sandora entered into the game as his replacement.

“He jammed his hip a little bit going back to first base,” LaPoint said about Hidalgo, who he listed as day-to-day. “We had a big lead. There was no sense in taking a chance and running him out there anymore. I’m sure if he gets some rest tonight, he’ll be fine tomorrow.”

Edgardo Alfonzo misplayed a pop up to start the third. That miscue led to two unearned runs on a pair of sac flies. Paniagua would not allow another runner to cross the plate, giving way to Ryan Knippschild with a 12-2 lead to start the sixth.

The Ducks turned the game into a laugher in the fourth. Brey retired the first batter and induced Rolls to hit a slow roller to first. Josh Pressley couldn’t keep the ball in his glove for an error and a walk to Pogue chased Brey.

Rick Asadoorian entered and struck out his first batter. A walk loaded the bases but Asadoorian appeared to get out of the jam, forcing Dennis Donovan to hit a grounder to short. Teuris Olivares booted the ball, allowing Rolls to score while reloading the bases for Rose.

Rose drilled his ninth homer of the season, taking Asadoorian’s offering to right that fell just short of the second row of advertisements. All five runs in the inning were unearned.

Carl Everett continued his torrid hitting, moving up all three Triple Crown categories by blasting a solo homer to start the sixth. Everett’s 23rd homer off Steve Keller tied the seven-inning contest at 2. Ray Navarrete followed with a double and advanced to third on Richard Hidalgo’s groundout.

Damian Rolls saw his 22-game hitting streak end in ignominious fashion, striking out to waste a quality chance. Rolls finished 0-3, though Sandora picked him up by lacing an opposite-field single to right to plate Navarrete and open a one-run lead.

By Atlantic League rules, twinight twin-bills consist of two seven-inning games. Ducks starter Abe Alvarez stayed in to close it out before nearly giving away the lead. Somerset’s Travis Anderson belted a double to start the seventh, advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt.

Alvarez, who is emerging as a key rotation member, induced the biggest out of the game by forcing Elliot Ayala to ground out. Edgardo Alfonzo actually needed to leave his feet at shortstop to field the bounce off Ayala’s bat, but gloved it and fired a strike to Rose at first for the second out. Sean Smith flied out to shallow right, allowing the Ducks to extend its winning streak to five.

“Abe coming back the way he did, that was a great game he pitched,” manager Dave LaPoint said. “They’re doing it at the right time. The pitchers are going late into the games and saving the bullpen.

“They’re all doing their jobs right now.”

Somerset pulled ahead of the pitchers’ duel in the sixth. Alvarez had retired 10 of the last 11 batters he faced before Matt Hagen lifted a full-count offering into the Patriots bullpen in left. The two-out solo shot put the visitors up 2-1.

Alvarez’s only other mistake came in the third when Smith’s RBI single plated Vito Chiaravalloti to open the scoring. The southpaw still improved to 6-1 and lowered his ERA from the 3.58 mark with which he entered. Since coming to Long Island in trade with Camden for Jamal Strong, Alvarez has made the transition from reliever to starter. The former Red Sox pitcher notched his first complete game of the season, striking out five and walking three.

Everett started the evening just nine RBIs behind Pat Osborn for the league lead. The switch-hitting veteran also was fourth in average and moved just two homers behind Somerset’s Josh Pressley for the Atlantic League home run lead. The former major league All-Star still has an outside chance of the Atlantic League’s first Triple Crown with almost five weeks remaining in the regular season schedule.

Randy Leek stole the show as the Ducks took the series finale. The victory completes the three-game sweep of Southern Maryland and places Long Island three-and-a-half games ahead in the Liberty Division. Leek (9-2) went the distance for the Ducks by allowing only five hits and one walk, while striking out seven in the shutout victory. Blue Crabs starter Jon Connolly (3-4) suffered the loss after giving up four runs on 10 hits in six and one-third innings of work.

First baseman Kyle Nichols provided the punch for the Ducks offense by collecting three hits, including two doubles and driving in three runs. Kevin Haverbusch connected on his 10th home run of the season with a solo shot in the eighth inning and Nook Logan also contributed by clubbing two hits, scoring twice and swiping his team-leading 19th stolen base.

The Ducks continue their season-long ten night homestand on Monday with a doubleheader against the Somerset Patriots. First pitch of the first game will take place at 6:05 p.m. Gates open at 6:00 p.m., and the first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive a mini football, courtesy of Regent Sports. Fans unable to attend can catch the game live via streaming webcast at www.liducks.com, with Ducks radio voice Chris King and Mike Solano calling the action. Tickets to the game and all upcoming Ducks home games are available at the Citibank Park Box Office, by calling (631) 940-TIXX, or by logging onto www.liducks.com and clicking on the tickets icon at the top of the page.

The Long Island Ducks play their home games at Citibank Park and are in their ninth season of play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. For further information, visit www.liducks.com, or call (631) 940-3825.

The Ducks lineup is so hot, it nearly scored-around in the seventh last night. Once again, the bats carried lackluster pitching. Carl Everett erased a one-run deficit by ripping a grand-slam in the seventh, propelling the Ducks to a nine-run inning and an impressive 12-5 victory over Southern Maryland.

Everett’s 22nd homer epitomized the lineup’s emerging juggernaut status. The Ducks cracked the double-digit run total for the third straight contest and are in position to sweep Southern Maryland Sunday evening.

Eight of the nine Ducks scored in the seventh. Edgardo Alfonzo made two outs in the frame, the only batter not to reach base or cross the plate. Damian Rolls extended his hitting streak to 21 games in the inning, as the Ducks took the second straight game of the three game set and moved 2 ½ games up on the Blue Crabs for the Liberty Division lead.

“We knew going into this series that we had to play all nine innings in order to beat them” manager Dave LaPoint said.

Southern Maryland actually looked to be in control thanks to a sixth-inning rally. Alay Soler started strong for the Ducks before tiring in the inning. The former Mets right-hander allowed a leadoff homer to James Shanks but struck out Atlantic League RBI-leader Patrick Osborn.

Two consecutive singles preceded Curtis Pride’s two-run double. Solar finished the inning before exiting with Southern Maryland nursing a 4-2 lead that was extended in the top of the seventh when Clint Johnson added a RBI single.

Considering the Ducks have scored 32 runs the past three games, the three-run hole represented a minor impediment to the club’s eighth win in 10 games.

“We know if we have our starting nine in there and our pitchers throw well, we have a good chance of winning day-in and day-out,” Rolls said. “We take it pitch by pitch. With the lineup that we have, if we put together good games, there’s a good chance we’re going to win in the end.”

Jamie Pogue, who reached base safely in all four of his plate appearances, started the seventh with a leadoff double and advanced to third on Kevin Haverbusch’s single.

Blue Crabs manager Butch Hobson called on Kenny Baugh to relieve starter Ryan Bicondoa to face Nook Logan, who promptly added the first of his two RBIs in the inning, plating Pogue. Alfonzo lined out and Pete Rose Jr. walked, loading the bases for Everett.

Baugh got ahead 0-1 before leaving a fastball over the heart of the plate. Everett didn’t miss, pulling the fastball to right-center that left the bat like a laser, putting the Ducks ahead 7-5.

“They had a pitcher knew to the league who didn’t know Carl and what he can hit,” LaPoint said. “Carl’s a pretty smart hitter. He watched the at-bats of the other guys, knew what to look for and got it. He’s been carrying us for awhile, too.”

The barrage didn’t end there. Back-to-back walks set up Rolls, who was 0-3 before that point before extending his hitting streak via a run-scoring single. Pogue reached on an error and Haverbusch hit a two-run single before Logan’s sacrifice fly capped the scoring.

“Before the seventh inning, I said, ‘let’s get them with the bloops,’” LaPoint said with a laugh. “We were hitting the ball hard all night and had nothing to show for it. We got a couple of breaks there. We are a momentum team. If a couple of guys get hits, everyone feels confident.”

Rose added his eighth homer of the season thanks to a solo shot in the fifth. The Ducks only other run before the outburst came in the first, when Everett doubled home Alfonzo. Everett finished 3-5 with three extra-base hits while Vic Darensbourg picked up the win by virtue of good fortunate. Darensbourgh allowed a run on two hits in one inning but was the pitcher of record during the seventh.

The Ducks manager decided to stay with a thriving combination, keeping the same the batting order intact for Friday’s marathon contest against Southern Maryland and Saturday’s rematch. Different days, same results; as the Ducks moved 2 ½ games over the Blue Crabs in the Atlantic Division.

“They can sniff it right now,” LaPoint said. “We’re playing better baseball. The pitching is starting to get better. They’re getting the feeling of, ‘maybe we can get to the postseason.’ Everybody is feeding off each other right now.”

Backup catcher Rob Sandora did not play last night but continued his hot hitting the previous two games, belting a three-run home run in the fourth to help the Ducks jump out to a 10-1 edge on Friday. Sandora took Keith Ramsey’s offering over the wall in left, marking his second long ball of the season. Sandora also logged two RBIs the previous game, allowing LaPoint to rest All-Star catcher Jamie Pogue.

Sandora’s homer was his second of the season, giving the 27-year-old one more than the total he accumulated in five seasons in the Expos/Nationals organization. In 48 games, the 6-1, 200-pound backstop is batting .269 with 21 RBIs and 39 hits.

“You just look for good pitches. I put a good swing on it,” said Sandora before Saturday night’s contest. .

The hot hitting lineup has featured former Nationals outfielder Nook Logan as the leadoff man. Former major leaguers Edgardo Alfonzo, Pete Rose Jr. and Carl Everett have filled out the 2-4 slots with Atlantic League All-Star Ray Navarrete protecting Everett.

Richard Hidalgo, another former Met, provides power potential in the six hole. Damian Rolls continues his recent surge, carrying a 20-game hitting streak into last night. Rolls is batting .397 during that span. Sandora and Pogue have split time catching and hitting eighth, while Haverbusch has broke out his funk since dropping down to ninth.

“That’s one of my pet things as a manager: I like to have a strong lower end of the lineup because sometimes the pitchers relax and think they are easy outs when they really aren’t,” LaPoint said.

Sandora continues to be a pleasant surprise. He never advanced past high A-ball after signing as an undrafted free agent with Montreal in 2003. The West Babylon native played his college ball at Stony Brook University after transferring from Briarcliffe College. He came to the Ducks with the opportunity to play at a higher professional level in his home county and continues to capably back-up Pogue.

“You try and soak up as much as you can,” Sandora said. “You’re playing with Carl [Everett] and Pete [Rose Jr.], all the big leagues guys that have been there. They know the game. You try and learn from them.”

As for Friday night’s contest, in which the last out was recorded shortly before 1:00 a.m., Sandora said the field became almost unplayable after the sixth inning. He said he had never experienced that type of long delay that late in the ballgame in his career.

“That was a first for everybody in the clubhouse,” Sandora said. “We thought once they pulled the tarp, the game was going to be called. It was a weird situation.”

“I was thinking about it. There are no really easy games,” LaPoint said at the time. His words proved prophetic last night.

The Ducks jumped out to an eight-run lead entering the eighth inning. But LaPoint needed Mother Nature to register a key hold. Southern Maryland scored seven runs against three relievers in the eighth as the bullpen put in a Mets-esque performance; turning a 10-1 game into a 10-8 contest.

The Blue Crabs started the ninth with consecutive singles, bringing the go-ahead run to the plate with none out before the umpires called for the tarp to be placed on the field. The timing of the call infuriated Crabs manager Butch Hobson, and a nearly two-hour rain delay ensued before the final inning resumed after midnight.

Charlie Weatherby came in following the long and controversial delay and produced a strikeout. A fielder’s choice scored Pat Osborn, cutting the deficit to one. Weatherby then got Jeremy Owens to pop out to second, ending the game and preserving a 10-9 victory that took almost six hours in real time to complete.

Only a a fraction of the 6,113 fans at the sold-out Citibank Park crowd stayed for the start ninth after heavy rain bombarded the field for most of the contest. After the Crabs mini rally, the umpires decided the field had become unplayable and called for the tarp shortly after 10, prompting Hobson to argue for the continuation of the inning.

The Ducks played through the dampness and lightning for much of the evening before the break and were able to take the opener of a three-game set and move 1 ½ games over the Blue Crabs in the Liberty Division.

The wackiness started early when Ducks scored two first-inning runs and put five men on base without a base hit. Brad Whitworth lasted just 2/3 of an inning. The lefty walked two and hit a batter to load the bases. He then walked Richard Hidalgo and Damian Rolls to force in two runs before scheduled starter Keith Ramsey came in relief and forced a pop out to limit the damage.

The Ducks extended the lead the following inning, capitalizing on a leadoff error to ignite a rally. Nook Logan lined a RBI single and Pete Rose Jr. added a run-scoring single. Ray Navarrete added a sacrifice fly, opening a 5-0 edge.

Rob Sandora, starting once again for All-Star catcher Jamie Pogue, drilled his second homer of the season in the fifth. His three-run shot in the fourth forged an eight-run lead, seemingly more than support for starter Lance Davis.

Davis pitched six innings of scoreless baseball, allowing just four hits and one walk. – gave up one run in the seventh, a seemingly innocuous run at the time. But Ryan Knippschild imploded in the eighth, recording just one out. Back-to-back singles brought up Pat Osborn, the Atlantic League’s RBI leader.

Osborn padded his numbers, ripping a towering three-run homer to left for RBIs 90, 91 and 92. Knippschild hit Clint Johnson before giving up Chris Maples’ two-run homer. Travis Wade fared no better, giving up a walk and double before exiting for Grezlovski.

The righty logged a big strikeout, whiffing Adam Shorsher with runners on second and third. George Sandel plated another run via an infield single and John Ramistella hit a RBI double, putting the tying runs in scoring position. Grezlovski recovered by forcing a groundout as the Ducks headed back to the dugout to the sounds of the derisive cheers from the sparse remaining crowd.

Grezlovski started the ninth and allowed Osborn and Johnston to single. He did not come back after the delay, allowing Weatherby to pick up his first save of the season.

Just like Wednesday’s win over Lancaster, the eighth and ninth hitters combined for five RBIs. Kevin Haverbusch went deep in Wednesday’s game, appearing to bust out of a slump after LaPoint dropped him to ninth in the order.

Haverbusch again batted ninth and hit another homer, hitting a two-run homer in the seventh with what appeared to be just tack-on runs. It turned out to the game-winning it, allowing the Ducks to win for the seventh time in the past nine games, although a far more controversial victory than usual.

Not surprisingly, the Ducks entered the first half far behind the Liberty Division standings. Yet that trend could be reversing itself at the right time. During the last road trip, the Ducks posted four wins in five games in Camden and Bridgeport.

Entering a 10-game homestand that commenced with two victories in three games over Lancaster, outfielder Kevin Haverbusch said improved road play is helping the team shoot up the standings. The Ducks entered last night tied for first place with Southern Maryland before the game against the Barnstormers was rained out. A Blue Crabs loss propelled the Flock to a half-game lead.

“On the last road trip, you started to see the wheels turn in motion and things to start to gel,” Haverbusch said. “Bullpen guys having rolls, guys are getting healthier and starters are going deeper. It just seems to being coming together at the right time.”

Just 39 games remain in the regular season. Continued success on the road will be the key towards making the postseason for the fifth consecutive season. Only 17 of those contests are at home. That leaves 22 on the road, including a season-ending seven-game road trip that runs though Camden and climaxes with a four-game set against Bridgeport.

There is some positive news from the schedule-makers. The Ducks will not have to travel to Southern Maryland any more, thereby avoiding the longest road trip in the Atlantic League. Instead, the Blue Crabs will venture to Citibank Park for a three-game set starting tonight and for another three games Aug. 26-28.

“It’s supposed to be an advantage being at home, but they have a good ballclub and they don’t ever quit,” LaPoint said. “So, we’re going to have play six hard-fought games to beat them.”

But the lineup continues to propel the Ducks up the Liberty Division standings. Once again, an offensive explosion was used to bludgeon an opponent. The Ducks belted out 10 runs in the second inning last night, sending 14 men to the plate to ignite a 10-4 victory over the Lancaster Barnstormers.

“You see very few innings like that,” Kevin Haverbusch said. “Everybody was just putting good swings on every pitch the guy threw.”

A sell-out crowd of 6,321 enjoyed pregame dancing and singing as part of the Irish night celebration. Yet the Ducks didn’t need the luck of the Irish to tag Barnstormers starter Chris Steinborn. Rob Sandora and Haverbusch, the eighth and ninth hitters, combined for five RBIs in the second. Coupled with Southern Maryland’s loss, the Ducks moved into a first-place tie in the Liberty Division; the first time since July 11 the Flock have claimed at least a share of the top spot.

“Everybody’s in a pretty good mood today. Everybody did pretty well,” manager Dave LaPoint said.

Two singles and a walk loaded the bases to start the second. Damian Rolls filed out to shallow right, forcing all runners to hold. That would be the highlight of the inning for Steinborn. Sandora followed by hitting an opposite-field single that landed just inside the third base foul line, opening a 2-0 lead.

Batting ninth, the struggling Haverbusch broke the game open by drilling Steinborn’s 1-0 changeup over the YMCA sign in left. The three-run shot was Haverbusch’s eighth of the season, helping the Ducks score 10 runs or more for the 14th time this season.

“I sure as hell hope so,” said Haverbusch when asked if the homer could help him break out of his recent slump. “I’ve been pretty much terrible. It’s been hard not playing and then being out for so long. Hopefully, it gets me going so I can help out.”

Pete Rose Jr., Ray Navarrete and Richard Hidalgo each added RBI hits while Carl Everett logged two hits and two runs in the inning. Damian Rolls capped the rally, ripping a run-scoring double to extend his hitting streak to 19 games. Steinborn pitched the entire inning and actually stayed in the contest, pitching six innings despite his ledger that included 14 hits against one walk.

“You usually don’t see it manifest itself in one inning like that, usually it’s over the course of a game,” said Haverbusch about the offensive barrage. “But that inning, it just picking up right where the last guy left off.”

Jose Paniagua made the run support stand-up and provided LaPoint with optimism that the rotation could start to stabilize. The former White Sox, Mariners and Expos right-hander allowed just one run in six innings, striking out three in his first start of the season.

The 34-year-old pitched three innings in relief while making his Ducks debut last week and seamlessly made the transition back to starter. Michael Wood’s RBI single was the only run Lancaster could muster against Paniagua.

“We got a big lift out of Paniagua,” LaPoint said. “He pitched one of the better games of the year right there. It’ll be a big lift for us if he can keep doing that.”

Lancaster scored three runs in the first inning and were held off the board until posting another three spot in the ninth. The ‘Stormers sent eight men to the plate in the first, with Ian Bladergroen and Matt LeCroy delivering back-to-back home runs. In the ninth, Brian Munhall’s single plated the go-ahead run, while Lloyd Turner’s two-run triple gave the visitors some much-needed breathing room. Jamie Pogue came through in the second for the Ducks with a two-run double to get the club on the board, and P.J. Rose tied the game in the fifth with an RBI double of his own. Damian Rolls homered in the ninth to extend his hitting streak to 18 games.

Randy Leek settled in after a rough first inning and shut out Lancaster for the rest of his outing. The southpaw worked seven innings and allowed three runs on nine hits. Erik Dessau went seven as well in the start for Lancaster, giving up three runs on five hits. Sendy Rleal (4-3) picked up the win with an inning of relief, while Todd Williams (2-2) took the loss for Long Island. Ryan Cullen earned his ninth save of the season.

The Ducks continue their season-long ten night homestand on Wednesday with the third game of a four-game set against Lancaster. Game time is at 7:05 p.m., with the Citibank Park gates opening at 6:05 p.m. The Ducks will celebrate Irish Heritage Night, presented by the Nutty Irishman. Fans unable to attend can catch the game live via streaming webcast at www.liducks.com, with Ducks radio voice Chris King calling the action. Tickets to the game and all upcoming Ducks home games are available at the Citibank Park Box Office, by calling (631) 940-TIXX, or by logging onto www.liducks.com and clicking on the tickets icon at the top of the page.

The Long Island Ducks play their home games at Citibank Park and are in their ninth season of play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. For further information, visit www.liducks.com, or call (631) 940-3825.

“I took the best swing I could and luckily I ran into one,” Navarrete said. “It was a great experience.”

Navarrete was forced to settle for a second-place tie when Somerset’s Josh Pressley smacked six home runs in the final round, including a homer off the side of the rightfield scoreboard and a tack-on shot that cleared the batters’ eye 402 feet away in centerfield. Pressley wowed the hometown fans with his long blasts, as the Patriots first baseman earned a loud ovation from the sold-out Commerce Bank Ballpark crowd.

Navarrete, the Ducks lone representative in the contest’s field of six, avoided a four-way tie in the first round when he lifted a pitch into the second row of advertisements after using up six of his allotted seven outs.

“Ray did well. He’s not as big as some of the other guys, so he really has to hit it to get it out,” said catcher and teammate Jamie Pogue. “A lot of times you try to do too much and muscle up. It slows your bat speed down a little bit. A lot of people say the toughest thing to do in sports is hit a baseball. Even when the guy’s trying to let you hit it, it’s not as easy as it looks.”

Entering the four-day All-Star break, Navarrete recorded a league-leading 21 doubles and 38 extra-base hits. The 30-year-old batted leadoff and played second base for the Liberty Division during the actual game. Navarrete earned that spot by ranking second in hits (90), runs scored (60) and third in home runs (16).

“I’ll be the first to keep telling people that I really don’t think I’m a home run guy,” Navarrete said. “I’ve been running into some balls into the last couple of years.

“The home run derby was a lot of fun this year. It takes a little while to get used to. In batting practice, you have the cage around you and you also don’t have 6,000 people cheering you.”

Ducks third base coach Kevin Baez was Navarrete’s pitcher for the home run derby, where his offering lead to Navarrete’s first homer on third swing. After advancing to the final round, Navarrete started to pick up his pace.

With totals resetting and each of the three finalists receiving another seven outs, Navarrete initially looked tired before regaining a second win. He once again pulled the pitch to left on his fourth swing before adding his second homer to straightaway center. Back-to-back homers capped his evening, where he finished tied with Bridgeport’s Jesse Hoorelbeke with four homers in the last round.

“I’m glad I wasn’t shutout and me and Jesse gave the Patriots guy a little run for his money.”

Pressley is listed as 6-6 and 230 pounds while Hoorelbeke is 6-3, 225 pounds. Navarrete said he didn’t let the body-mass discrepancies bother him.

“I’m getting a little older and I realize that of course being bigger and stronger helps, but in baseball, you don’t need to be the biggest of guys to learn how to hit the ball a little bit harder,” said the generously listed six-foot, 190-pound infielder. “My last couple of years here, I’ve played with such great guys, it taught me a couple of things. I’ve learned how to use my body.”

Unlike some major league home run derby participants, Navarrete said he is not concerned that the competition would negatively impact his swing once the regular season resumes Friday night.

“I don’t think it’s going to have any effect on my swing,” Navarrete said. “I have a certain approach. I’m going to stick by it. God willing, I’ll run into a bunch more of home runs but if I don’t hit any, it just wasn’t meant to be.”

Dave LaPoint, the Ducks manager and skipper of the Liberty Division, said he enjoyed watching his player compete.

“It was pretty impressive. I thought he loosened up but then he got tired,” LaPoint said. “But Pressley just had too good of a swing and knows this ballpark pretty well.”

But not even Pressley’s power displayed rivaled Josh Hamilton’s epic 28-homer first round during MLB’s derby at Yankee Stadium. That feat wowed Don Zimmer, who was in attendance and part of the pregame festivities. Zimmer, a member of the 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers championship club, said Hamilton’s outburst was once of the most impressive things he’s seen in his nearly 60 years in baseball.

“What Josh Hamilton did was something people will never forget,” the 77-year-old Zimmer said. “Just to keep looking up and seeing all the home runs was very, very special.”

Zimmer played, coached and managed some of the best players in the game’s history. When asked what former player who would have liked to have seen hit in a home run derby, the current Tampa Bay Rays senior baseball advisor said Jim Rice would have thrived.

“Jim Rice was absolutely awesome. I would have liked to have see him in a home run derby with anybody,” said Zimmer, who managed Rice with the Red Sox from 1976-80.

Navarrete wasn’t hitting in Yankee Stadium or outslugging any baseball legends, but that didn’t stop the former Mets prospect from having a good on a sweltering July night.

“The stadium looked incredible,” he said. “It was a great day and a great experience. It’s always a great opportunity to be in the same clubhouse with the other guys you look up to throughout the season and get a chance to talk to them.”

The extra-inning homer came off Newark reliever J.J. Trujillo (1-5), who was dealt the loss. Joe Valentine (5-2), who had surrendered the tying run in the ninth, worked a perfect 10th and picked up the win. Randy Leek started for Long Island and pitched seven innings, giving up five runs on eight hits. Jose Garcia went six and one-third innings for the Bears, allowing six runs on 10 hits.

The Ducks built up a 6-0 lead over the first two innings. P.J. Rose and Richard Hidalgo both clubbed two-run homers in the first, while Rose and Carl Everett delivered RBI in the second. The Bears came back with four in the third, hitting three doubles in the inning, and one in the fourth. The tying run scored on a bloop single down the left field line in the ninth by Bobby Hill.

Rose went 3-for-5 with three RBI, while Hidalgo had two hits and a pair of RBI. Edgardo Alfonzo continued to swing well since returning to the club, turning in a 2-for-4 performance.

The Ducks hit the road this weekend for their final series before the All-Star break. Long Island visits Lancaster for a three-game series beginning on Friday. Game time is 7:05 p.m. Fans can tune into all the action live on WNYG 1440 AM, WLIR 107.1 FM, or via streaming webcast at www.liducks.com, with Ducks radio voice Chris King calling the play-by-play. The club returns home on Friday, July 18, to host the York Revolution at Citibank. First pitch will be at 7:05 p.m., and the ballpark gates open at 6:05 p.m. The Ducks will celebrate the annual Long Island Luau, presented by Adelphi University. Tickets to the game and all upcoming Ducks home games are available at the Citibank Park Box Office, by calling (631) 940-TIXX, or by logging onto www.liducks.com and clicking on the tickets icon at the top of the page.

The Long Island Ducks play their home games at Citibank Park and are in their ninth season of play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. For further information, visit www.liducks.com, or call (631) 940-3825.

The Ducks rallied from a two-run deficit with three in the ninth to take the second game of the three-game set. Ray Navarrete’s infield hit with the bases loaded brought in the winning run when catcher John Pachot could not get a handle on the ball as it rolled along the grass. Earlier in the frame, Edgardo Alfonzo had come through with a game-tying single, capping a 2-for-3 night in his first game back with the Flock. Alfonzo scored four runs and drew two walks in the contest as well. Navarrete went 3-for-6 at the plate with four RBI. Jamie Pogue had a stellar game at the plate, going 5-for-5 while driving in two. Meanwhile, the Bears got home runs from Ramon Castro, who drove in three runs, and Joe Herrera, along with a two-RBI performance by Gerard Haran.

Alay Soler pitched six innings for Long Island, allowing six runs – three earned – on six hits. Counterpart Benito Baez worked seven frames, giving up four runs – three earned – on nine hits. Joe Valentine (4-2) got the win in relief, and former Duck Steve Kent (3-4) took the loss, allowing the three ninth inning runs. Ryan Knippschild contributed with two scoreless innings for Long Island.

The Ducks conclude their series against Newark on Thursday with a 7:05 p.m. contest. The Citibank Park gates open at 6:05 p.m., and the first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive black home replica baseball caps, courtesy of Adecco. Fans unable to attend the game can tune into all the action live via streaming webcast at www.liducks.com, with Mike Solano calling the play-by-play. Tickets to the game and all upcoming Ducks home games are available at the Citibank Park Box Office, by calling (631) 940-TIXX, or by logging onto www.liducks.com and clicking on the tickets icon at the top of the page.

The Long Island Ducks play their home games at Citibank Park and are in their ninth season of play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. For further information, visit www.liducks.com, or call (631) 940-3825.

“We’re glad to have Fonzie back for the second half of the season,” says Ducks general manager Michael Pfaff. “His leadership and talent will be a welcome addition to our ballclub.”

The 34-year-old Alfonzo spent 12 seasons in the big leagues, playing eight of those years with the Mets. Known for his stellar defense and timely hitting, Fonzie became a favorite of the Shea Stadium faithful. His grand slam in the ninth inning of Game One of the 1999 National League Division Series, his second homer of the game, helped propel the Mets to victory, and eventually to their first postseason series win since 1986… In 2000, an All-Star campaign highlighted by a .324 batting average, 24 homers, 40 doubles and 95 RBI, helped lead the Mets to their fourth National League pennant.

In 1,506 Major League contests, Alfonzo hit .284 with 282 doubles, 146 home runs and 744 RBI. He collected 1,532 hits, and struck out only 617 times in nearly 5,400 at-bats. He is a career .295 minor league hitter, with more than 300 RBI in 551 games.

The Long Island Ducks play their home games at Citibank Park and are in their ninth season of play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. For further information, visit www.liducks.com, or call 631-904-3825.

Most of the scoring was done early, as the teams traded multiple-run frames. Carl Everett’s two-run homer in the first kicked off the scoring, but Mike Just knotted it with a two-RBI single in the second. The Ducks regained the edge a half-inning later, but the Bears went ahead to stay with three in the third. Ramon Castro doubled home two in the fourth to make it a 7-4 contest. The Ducks scored twice in the sixth to cut the deficit to one, but could not get the tying run home.

Cory Willey came out of the pen to escape the sixth inning jam, getting two strikeouts with the tying run at second base to preserve the lead. J.J. Trujillo shut out Long Island over the final two and one-third innings of the ballgame to earn his eighth save of the year. Starter Mike Bumstead (9-5) got the win with five and one-third innings of works, allowing six runs – five earned – on 10 hits. Clint Nageotte (0-3) was dealt the loss, leaving the game after three innings after being struck by a line drive off the bat of Jose Herrera. Nageotte gave up five runs on eights with two strikeouts.

The Ducks continue their series against Newark on Wednesday with a 7:05 p.m. contest. The Citibank Park gates open at 6:05 p.m. Fans unable to attend the game can tune into all the action live via streaming webcast at www.liducks.com, with Mike Solano calling the play-by-play. Tickets to the game and all upcoming Ducks home games are available at the Citibank Park Box Office, by calling (631) 940-TIXX, or by logging onto www.liducks.com and clicking on the tickets icon at the top of the page.

The Long Island Ducks play their home games at Citibank Park and are in their ninth season of play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. For further information, visit www.liducks.com, or call (631) 940-3825.

Sunday’s contest quickly turned into a pitcher’s duel, with Manny Ulloa battling Tim Drew. Ulloa pitched five no-hit innings with nine strikeouts, but had thrown 90 pitches and experienced tightness in his elbow after the fifth, forcing his exit from the game. The Ducks bullpen surrendered three hits, but the combination of Jon Asahina, Abe Alvarez, Todd Williams and Joe Valentine preserved the shutout. Williams (2-1) earned his second victory in as many nights, while Valentine pitched a perfect ninth for his ninth save of the season. Drew lasted six innings for Bridgeport, allowing just three hits. Derrick Ellison (1-1) took the loss, giving up all three of the game’s runs in the bottom of the eighth.

The Ducks plated the game’s first run on bases loaded sacrifice fly by P.J. Rose. With runners at second and third, a wild pitch brought home the second run. After an intentional walk to Carl Everett, Jay Gibbons singled to score Nook Logan and increase the lead to 3-0. Ray Navarrete, Everett and Gibbons accounted for the three Ducks hits, while Henry Mateo went 2-for-4 in the losing effort for Bridgeport. Alex Prieto added a bunt single in the seventh.

The Ducks open the second half of the 2008 season on Tuesday against the Newark Bears. Gametime is 7:05 p.m., and the Citibank park gates open at 6:05 p.m. The first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive recycled license plate frames, courtesy of The Nature Conservancy. Fans unable to attend the game can tune into all the action live via streaming webcast at www.liducks.com, with Mike Solano calling the play-by-play. Tickets to the game and all upcoming Ducks home games are available at the Citibank Park Box Office, by calling (631) 940-TIXX, or by logging onto www.liducks.com and clicking on the tickets icon at the top of the page.

The Long Island Ducks play their home games at Citibank Park and are in their ninth season of play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. For further information, visit www.liducks.com, or call (631) 940-3825.

The game was won in the bottom of the ninth inning on a passed ball with the bases loaded and two outs. With Nook Logan aboard at second base, Bridgeport elected to intentionally walk Carl Everett and Jay Gibbons to pitch to Jamie Pogue. But the first pitch of Pogue’s at-bat caught the edge of catcher Brian Munhall’s glove and rolled to the backstop. Logan slid in safely under the tag of pitcher Eddy Ramos to seal the come-from-behind victory. The Ducks overcame a 7-5 deficit with single runs in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings.

Logan was 3-for-5 at the plate with three runs scored, while Everett went 2-for-3 with three RBI, including his 12th home run of the season. Pete Maestrales collected two RBI, while Dennis Donovan chipped in by driving in a run as part of a 2-for-4 effort. The Bluefish were paced by leadoff man Travis Ezi, who went 1-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored, and Brian Munhall, who connected for a three-run blast to highlight a five-run Bridgeport sixth. Alex Prieto had a 3-for-4 night with two runs scored to contribute to the Bluefish offense.

Randy Leek pitched the first five and one-third innings for the Ducks, surrendering six runs – five earned – on 11 hits. The bullpen came to Leek’s aid, however, allowing only one run over the final three and two-thirds innings of the contest. Todd Williams (1-1) picked up the win with one and two-thirds hitless innings of relief. Matt Pike and Mike Connelly combined for the first eight innings for Bridgeport. Pike gave up five runs on eight hits in five innings, while Connolly allowed two runs and three hits in three innings of work. Eddy Ramos (0-2) took the loss, giving up a double to Logan in the ninth, and intentionally walking the two batters before the passed ball ended the game.

The Ducks wrap up the first half of the 2008 season on Sunday against the Bridgeport Bluefish. Gametime is 5:05 p.m., and the Citibank park gates open at 4:05 p.m. The first 1,500 kids 12 years old and under will receive a lunch box, courtesy of News 12 Long Island. Prior to the game, all fans will be invited down onto the field to participate in a pregame autograph session, and following the game fans will be welcomed back onto the field for Kids Run the Bases, presented by Bethpage Federal Credit Union. Fans unable to attend the game can tune into all the action live on WNYG 1440 AM, WLIR 107.1 FM, or via streaming webcast at www.liducks.com, with Ducks radio voice Chris King calling the play-by-play. Tickets to the game and all upcoming Ducks home games are available at the Citibank Park Box Office, by calling (631) 940-TIXX, or by logging onto www.liducks.com and clicking on the tickets icon at the top of the page.

The Long Island Ducks play their home games at Citibank Park and are in their ninth season of play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. For further information, visit www.liducks.com, or call (631) 940-3825.

The Ducks took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning. Catcher Jamie Pogue hit a solo home run (3) to left field. First baseman Damien Rolls doubled and came around to score on an RBI single by second baseman Dennis Donovan.

Long Island added four runs in the top of the third inning. Center fielder Nook Logan singled, right fielder Ray Navarrete drew a walk, and designated hitter Carl Everett singled to load the bases. Pogue followed with a grand slam (4), his second homerun of the game, to give the Ducks a 6-0 lead.

The Ducks added three more runs in the top of the fourth inning. Shortstop Donaldo Mendez singled and later scored on a fielder’s choice that allowed Logan to reach safely. Navarrete then hit a two-run home run (15) to give Long Island a 9-0 advantage.

Long Island extended the lead to 11-0 with two runs scored on errors in the top of the seventh inning.

Ducks starter Randy Leek (5-2) picked up the win, allowing four hits in seven scoreless innings pitched. Patriots starter Brian Adams (4-3) suffered the loss, allowing nine earned runs on ten hits in four innings pitched.

The 2008 Somerset Patriots season presented by Ford will continue at home on Thursday night with a 7:05 pm game against the Long Island Ducks. The game features a Post Game Fireworks Show presented by Investors Savings Bank and Mets Night. Tickets are available by stopping by the Patriots Ticket Office located at the ballpark, by calling (908) 252-0700, or on-line at www.somersetpatriots.com.

Somerset tied up the game 6-6 in the bottom of the ninth inning on a solo home run by third baseman Brandon Larson (10).

The Ducks broke a 5-5 tie with a run in the top of the ninth inning. Shortstop Dennis Donovan doubled and scored on an RBI double by second baseman Ray Navarrete for a 6-5 lead.

Trailing 5-3 in the bottom of the eighth inning, Somerset rallied to tie up the game at 5-5. Left fielder Matt Hagen doubled and scored on a two-run home run by right fielder Ryan Radmanovich (3).

The Ducks rallied to break a 3-3 tie in the top of the eighth inning. Designated hitter Carl Everett singled and was pinch run for by Donaldo Mendez. Right fielder Jay Gibbons followed with an RBI double and later scored on a fielder’s choice for a 5-3 advantage.

The Ducks took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Navarrete singled and scored on an RBI single by Everett.

Somerset answered with a run in the bottom of the first inning on a solo home run by center fielder Sean Smith (4).

Long Island regained the lead with a run in the top of the third inning. Center fielder Nook Logan tripled and scored on an RBI single by Sanchez.

The Patriots made it a 3-2 game with two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Larson singled and scored on a two-run home run by first baseman Josh Pressley (9), his fifth straight game with a home run.

The Ducks tied up the game in the top of the fifth inning. Sanchez singled and scored on an RBI double by Everett for a 3-3 tie.

Ducks reliever Joe Valentine (3-1) picked up the win, allowing an earned run on three hits in two innings pitched. Patriots reliever Brock Till (0-2) suffered the loss, allowing an earned run on two hits in an inning pitched.

The 2008 Somerset Patriots season presented by Ford will continue at home on Wednesday night with a 7:05 pm game against the Long Island Ducks. The first 2,000 fans will receive a Ballpark History Card Strip courtesy of DeVry University. Tickets are available by stopping by the Patriots Ticket Office located at the ballpark, by calling (908) 252-0700, or on-line at www.somersetpatriots.com.

The Patriots got on the board in the bottom of the first inning. Center fielder Sean Smith doubled and scored on a two-run home run by designated hitter Josh Pressley (8). It was the fourth straight game that Pressley hit a home run.

Somerset added two runs to the lead in the bottom of the third inning. Shortstop Teuris Olivares doubled and scored on a two-run home run by third baseman Brandon Larson (9) to give the Patriots a 4-0 lead.

The Patriots continued to extend the lead with two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Left fielder Matt Hagen singled and scored on a two-run home run by first baseman Vito Chiaravalloti for a 6-0 advantage.

Van Hekken (3-1) picked up the win, allowing just two hits and six strikeouts in eight innings. Ducks starter Jon Searles (1-2) suffered the loss, allowing four earned runs on five hits and four strikeouts in 3.1 innings pitched.

The 2008 Somerset Patriots season presented by Ford will continue at home on Tuesday night with a 7:05 pm game against the Long Island Ducks The game includes Beach balls for the first 1,000 kids in attendance and Health Fair Night courtesy of Somerset Medical Center. Tickets are available by stopping by the Patriots Ticket Office located at the ballpark, by calling (908) 252-0700, or on-line at www.somersetpatriots.com.

New York was supposed to dominate, because a Cy Young winner from Minnesota came to the club and the lefthanded closer was considered one of the best in the league.

Does this sound familiar?

The year was 1990 and the manager that time was Davey Johnson, who led the club to its second World Series in 1986 and then back to the playoffs two years later. Yet, the Mets faded at the end of 1989 and even though they added Frank Viola and John Franco, the Amazins were no so fantastic in the new decade, getting out of the box the tune of a 20-22 start.

It was then on May 29th, general manager Frank Cashen decided to make a move.

“They called me the next morning when we were in Cincinnati,” recalled Johnson’s replacement Bud Harrelson. “It came as a surprise to me, because Davey just signed a new contract. I didn’t see it coming. He was a good manager; won a lot and handled the press good.

“I don’t think he saw it coming either. Of course I took over and I didn’t have the experience Davey had. I got the job because I was a third base coach and bench coach.”

Harrelson came in and ignited the sleeping team. Playing what many called “Buddy Ball,” the former shortstop abandoned the Earl Weaver philosophy Johnson employed [get good pitching and wait for the three-run home run] and forced the Mets into manufacturing runs, and not relying upon home runs from their power hitters.

“I played a little but different and won a lot,” said Harrelson, who had a 71-49 record that season and if there was a wild card in 1990, would have gone to the playoffs. “I think the players felt embarrassed by getting [Johnson fired]. I played small ball and I did set up some new rules because [the front office] felt Davey was too lenient.”

The current regime in Flushing is hoping lighting will hit again with Jerry Manuel. Already we have seen new discipline in the clubhouse when the new manager took out Jose Reyes the first game. Much like Harrelson, Manuel is putting his stamp on the team, with roles changing in the bullpen and in the lineup.

There the comparison ends. Harrelson – now the owner and coach Long Island Ducks – sees Manuel’s major league experience as an asset, whereas he felt he wasn’t ready for the media grind that comes with managing in New York.

“I had all the coaches there and I spoke to Mel [Stottlemyre] and told him ‘You have 10 and I have 15’ because we had 10 pitchers,” said Harrelson, who managed in short season A in 1984 and then in A-ball for six weeks in 1985 when he was called up to the Mets after Bobby Valentine left for Texas. “I did alright down there too where I could teach.

“It all stops in New York and it all becomes media. You have to answer the questions and go on Mike and the Mad Dog and Mets Extra. It’s a job to manage the ball club.”

As someone who went through the grind, Harrelson felt for Willie Randolph. Although he doesn’t follow the Mets on a day-to-day basis, he does keep an eye on the team and it was impossible to stay away from ‘Willie Watch.’

“It was talked about all winter after the demise last season with the team falling out of first place,” Harrelson said. “They were saying ‘Willie, Willie, Willie” as if it was his fault. In the last month, they couldn’t win a game. It was coming, as mine was coming in the second year. I was surprised he didn’t get fired earlier. I felt for Willie because there was so much press for that. Pitchers would come in and give it was. Was that the manager’s fault?

“I thought the best thing for him and his heath would be to fire him. I thought about Willie; he was in an awkward position.”

Corey Thurman (4-5) shut down the Long Island offense through seven innings, giving up just two runs on eight scattered hits. The righthander issued no walks and struck out three to improve to 4-0 since June 1. Donovan Osborne (0-2) allowed five runs on 11 hits while taking the loss for the Ducks. Ben Grezlovski allowed just one run in two innings of relief, while Vic Darensbourg and Abe Alvarez pitched a perfect inning apiece. Matt Trent and Dan Foli combined to work the final two frames for York.

The Revolution were led by Tyler Von Schell, who went 3-for-5 with four RBI, including a two-run double and a two-run homer. Keoni De Renne and Chris Ashby each had two hits, and Matt Esquivel set the tone early with an RBI single in the first. Eight of the nine Ducks starters had at least one hit, including Nook Logan in his Long Island debut. Dennis Donovan led the way with a 2-for-4 effort, including an RBI double in the third. Damian Rolls hit his seventh home run in the year in the seventh inning.

The Ducks hit the road for their final stretch away from Citibank Park in the first half. The trip opens Monday with the first of a four game series against the Somerset Patriots. Gametime is slated for 7:05 p.m. Fans can catch all the action live via streaming webcast at www.liducks.com, with Mike Solano calling the play-by-play. The Flock returns home on Monday, June 30, to open a three-game set against Camden. The game will begin at 6:35 p.m., and the ballpark gates will open at 5:35 p.m. The first 1,500 fans in attendance receive Quackers, courtesy of Newsday. Tickets to the game and all upcoming Ducks home games are available at the Citibank Park Box Office, by calling (631) 940-TIXX, or by logging onto www.liducks.com and clicking on the tickets icon at the top of the page.

The Long Island Ducks play their home games at Citibank Park and are in their ninth season of play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. For further information, visit www.liducks.com, or call (631) 940-3825.

“Nook gives us another solid bat in the lineup and solidifies our outfield,” says Ducks manager Dave LaPoint. “We’re excited to have him on our club and look forward to his contributions on the field and in the clubhouse.”

A third round draft pick of the Detroit Tigers in 2000, Logan made his Major League debut with Detroit in 2004. He hit .278 with eight steals in 47 games while getting his first taste of the big leagues. The following season, he appeared in 129 games with the Tigers, swiping 23 bases on 29 attempts, and connecting for 5 triples. The speedster hit .300 with the Nationals in 2006, and holds a career average of .268 with 56 stolen bases in four big league campaigns. The Mississippi native’s finest minor league season came with Erie (AA, Tigers) of the Eastern League in 2003, where he collected seven triples and a career-high four home runs and 38 RBI with 37 stolen bases. He swiped a career-best 67 bags with Single-A West Michigan (Tigers) of the Midwest League in 2001.

In order to make room on the 25-man roster, the Ducks announced that outfielder Kevin Haverbusch has been placed on the inactive list.

The Long Island Ducks play their home games at Citibank Park and are in their ninth season of play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. For further information, visit www.liducks.com, or call (631) 940-3825.

The Revolution scored three times in the eighth inning to turn a 3-2 deficit into a 5-3 lead. Matt Esquivel clubbed his second straight RBI double off the wall in right to tie the game, and Tyler Von Schell and Jason Aspito followed with hits to bring home two more. The Ducks rallied in the bottom of the ninth, getting within one on Ray Navarrete’s RBI single. But Dave Veres held on for the save by getting Jay Gibbons to fly out to leftfield. P.J. Rose had two RBI in the effort for Long Island.

Both starters pitched well, but neither factored in the decision. Manny Ulloa worked six and one-third innings, allowing just one run on five hits with seven strikeouts before exiting with back spasms. Dave Gil also went six and one-third, but pitched through trouble more often by giving up ten hits and three runs, two of which were earned. Jason Olson (4-2) got the win with an two innings of hitless relief, while Jason Simontacchi (0-1) took the loss, allowing four hits and three runs – two earned – in the eighth. Veres recorded his fourth save of the season.

The Ducks wrap up their homestand with a 1:35 p.m. matinee on Sunday against York. The ballpark gates open at 12:35 p.m., and the first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive a yellow and blue souvenir baseball, courtesy of Yellow Dog Lawn Care. Fans will also be invited down onto the field for a pregame autograph session and postgame Kids Run the Bases, presented by Bethpage Federal Credit Union. Fans unable to attend the game can still catch all the action live on 1440 WNYG AM, 107.1 WLIR FM, or via streaming webcast at www.liducks.com, with Mike Solano and David Weiss calling the play-by-play. Tickets to the game and all upcoming Ducks home games are available at the Citibank Park Box Office, by calling (631) 940-TIXX, or by logging onto www.liducks.com and clicking on the tickets icon at the top of the page.

The Long Island Ducks play their home games at Citibank Park and are in their ninth season of play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. For further information, visit www.liducks.com, or call (631) 940-3825.

Duck Tales…All 12 of the Ducks hits on Saturday night were singles…Saturday is not Long Island’s favorite day. With tonight’s loss the Ducks are now 1-9 this season in Saturday games…Long Island shortstop Dennis Donovan went 2-for-4 tonight, giving his seven multi-hit games in his past 13 contests.

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY -  The Long Island Ducks defeated the York Revolution on Friday 9-8X in 14 innings in front of a packed house of 6,502 at Citibank Park.

Jay Gibbons was the hero in the extra frames, providing a game-winning double in the 14^th to score pinch runner Clint Nageotte from first base. Ray Navarrete hit his league-leading 14^th home run in the fifth inning, and Alex Sanchez contributed with a two-run homer and a 3-for-7 night at the plate. York was paced by four solo homers, the last of which was a shot by Jason Aspito that gave the Revs an 8-7 lead in the ninth. But the Ducks got three hits to load the bases in the bottom of the inning, and Dennis Donovan scored on a wild pitch to tie the game and force extras.

Randy Leek pitched five and one-third innings for the Ducks, giving up five runs – four earned – on seven hits. Frank Castillo allowed four runs on seven hits in four in two-thirds innings. Neither starter factored in the decision. Jon Asahina and Abe Alvarez combined for five innings of scoreless relief in the extra sessions, with Alvarez (2-0) earning the win. Nick McCurdy went three scoreless innings for York before giving way to Heath Totten (0-1), who surrendered the game-winner to Gibbons.

The Ducks continue their series against York on Saturday with a 7:05 p.m. contest. The ballpark gates open at 6:05 p.m., and the first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive a neon green water bottle, courtesy of Purity First. Fans unable to attend can still catch all the action live on 1440 WNYG AM, 107.1 WLIR FM, or via streaming webcast at www.liducks.com, with Mike Solano and David Weiss calling the play-by-play. Tickets to the game and all upcoming Ducks home games are available at the Citibank Park Box Office, by calling (631) 940-TIXX, or by logging onto www.liducks.com and clicking on the tickets icon at the top of the page.

The Long Island Ducks play their home games at Citibank Park and are in their ninth season of play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. For further information, visit www.liducks.com, or call (631) 940-3825.

Soler (1-0) pitched six innings, allowing just two runs – one earned – on three hits with seven strikeouts. York starter Aaron Myette struggled through four and two-thirds innings, giving up nine runs – six earned – on 10 hits with four walks. Clint Nageotte, Abe Alvarez and Ryan Knippschild combined to allow just one unearned run over the final three innings in relief of Soler.

The Ducks broke the game open in the fifth innings, scoring six runs on five hits to build a 10-1 lead. P. J. Rose and Donaldo Mendez each had three hits and two RBI for Long Island, and Ray Navarrete connected for his 13th home run of the year. Jay Gibbons had a double and two RBI as well. York managed just five hits in the game, with Jason Aspito leading the way for the visitors with two knocks, including his ninth homer of the year.

The Ducks continue their series against York on Friday. Gametime is slated for 7:05 p.m., with the ballpark gates opening at 6:05 p.m. Following the game, fans will be treated to a Grucci Fireworks Extravaganza, presented by Pulte Homes. Fans unable to attend can still catch all the action live on 1440 WNYG AM, 107.1 WLIR FM, or via streaming webcast at www.liducks.com, with Mike Solano calling the play-by-play. Tickets to the game and all upcoming Ducks home games are available at the Citibank Park Box Office, by calling (631) 940-TIXX, or by logging onto www.liducks.com and clicking on the tickets icon at the top of the page.

The Long Island Ducks play their home games at Citibank Park and are in their ninth season of play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. For further information, visit www.liducks.com, or call (631) 940-3825.

A lifetime .260 hitter over seven seasons in Baltimore, Gibbons was one of the many players named in the Mitchell Report, which could not have helped his chances of catching on with another team following his release by the Orioles in March. The investigation into performance-enhancing drugs in baseball stated that Gibbons received six shipments of human growth hormone and two shipments of testosterone, and received a 15-day suspension from the Commissioner’s Office. He made a public apology and hoped to move on.

The 31 year-old outfielder had an extremely slow start in spring training, hitting .189 with no home runs and only four RBI. The Birds said goodbye to one of their regulars and Gibbons began looking for a job.

After receiving no offers, finding a spot with Long Island is not a bad consolation. Ducks Principal Owner and Atlantic League Founder/CEO Frank Boulton welcomed Gibbons to the fold. “Through our first 11 seasons, the Atlantic League has returned over 350 players back to affiliated organizations and 45 players to the major leagues,” he said. “We’re hopeful Jay can help us win while proving that he’s healthy and ready to contribute at the major league level.”

In his first game with the Ducks on Tuesday night, Gibbons started in left field and went 2 for 4, driving in and scoring one run in a 9-6 victory over Lancaster.

Gibbons’ best season as an Oriole came in 2003, when he hit .277 and hit 23 long balls while driving in 100 runs. This also happened to be the same year that he began using the illegal substances.

Whatever the connection is, Gibbons was a good player and is still young enough to bounce back. He has to prove that he is clean and able to play at a high enough level to get back to the big leagues. A good showing here and he will find himself back in Double or Triple-A before his Ducks uniform gets washed too many times.

It is a low-risk, high-reward move for a team looking for a bench player. Signing a Gibbons-type, putting him in the system for a month, and bring him up to take the place of an injured or departed player. A second-division club is the most likely landing spot, due to the economical contract that these players sign just to be back to where they once were.

In the meantime, the Ducks have picked up a talented player that could be a special one. Before his time on Long Island is done, he should be able to give them a much-needed boost, offensively and in the clubhouse.

Going from a $5 million salary and a starting job in the majors, Gibbons has a lot of incentive to play well and return. The better he performs on Long Island, the benefit is two-fold – for Gibbons and the Ducks.

Benito Baez (2-2) took the loss for Newark, but pitched an absolute gem tossing just 94 pitches in a complete game effort.

“I did my best to give the team a chance to win,” said Baez. “I was able to go all the way, we just fell a little short, I can’t complain about it.”

“We’ve had some bad starts from our starters,” said manager Wayne Krenchicki. “So it was a shame we had to waste this one by running into another pitcher that threw as well as our guy. It’s something you can’t control, but when you get an outing like that you like to win.”

From start to finish there were great defensive plays in the field which made the outstanding pitching duel of Baez and Carlos Castillo stand up to look even better.

Mike Just made an incredible sliding stop at third base on a hot line drive, he then got to his feet and was able to throw the runner out.

Ramon Castro did a perfect Derek Jeter impersonation when he back-handed a ball in the hole at shortstop and then leapt in the air as he turned and fired to throw the runner out at first.

In the fifth, P.J. Rose went way up in the air and snagged a hard-hit ball off the bat of Just.

The sixth inning was the only frame to fea