Written by Marty Dolitsky, Edited by Chris Vaccaro
Tuesday, 14 August 2007
The first place Ducks are leading the pack, taking it to both Camden and Newark during their latest homestand on Long Island.
The Long Island Ducks (21-9) continue their smooth ride into the playoffs with a 4-2 record for the week. The four wins were sandwiched in between the two losses and their first place lead is now at a season high five games.
Three game series: Ducks @ Camden Riversharks
Opening game (8/7/07): Riversharks 9, Ducks 4
The Riversharks jumped on the Ducks early and kept pounding away, scoring multiple runs in the second, seventh and eighth innings. The Riversharks got a home run from third basemen Matt Demarco and three hits to go along with three RBIs from L.J. Biernbaum. Edgardo Alfonzo was dropped down to the seven spot in the order. This is the first time in his Ducks’ career he was not hitting above the No. 6 spot in the batting order. However, he did contribute with two hits and an RBI in the loss.
Middle game (8/8/07): Ducks 6, Riversharks 5
The Ducks came back from a 5-1 defect in the ninth inning and defeated the Riversharks, 6-5. P.J. Rose capped the comeback with a walk-off three-run home run off Ramon Linares. This is was third in the last eight games the Ducks have come back from a five run or more deficit. Camden scored a run in each of the first five innings, but the Ducks bullpen threw four perfect innings as Danny Graves pitched two innings for his fourth win of the season.
Final game (8/9/07): Ducks 6, Riversharks 5
The Ducks led early after a four-run rally in the third inning gave the them a 4-2 lead. Carl Everett capped that third by connecting on a three-run home run. Lance Davis (6-1) pitched into the ninth inning and allowed four runs on an amazing 14 hits. Joe Valentine recorded the final two outs for his first save of the season.
Three game series: Newark Bears @ Ducks
Opening game (8/10/07): Ducks 3, Bears 1
Lefty Randy Leek continues his dominance of Atlantic League hitters facing the minimum through 7.1 innings allowing only two hits and zero earned runs. The game was tied, 1-1, going into the bottom of the eighth inning. Rose delivered with a two-run single scoring Jose Offerman and Dionys Cesar. Valentine pitched two-thirds of an inning for the win and Graves closed the door on the Bears pitching a perfect ninth inning for his league leading 26th save.
Middle game (8/11/07): Ducks 9, Bears 8
The comeback kids, best known as the Long Island Ducks, made another appearance Saturday night. After blowing a 7-3 lead in the eighth and ninth innings, the Ducks stormed back with two runs in the bottom of the ninth for another walk-off win. The newest hero, Bryant Nelson, came off the bench and delivered a two-run pinch hit single scoring the tying and game-winning runs. Offerman and Everett added home runs and Travis Wade pitched two innings in relief picking up the victory.
Finale game (8/12/07): Bears 8, Ducks 4
The Ducks lost to the Bears, giving up four runs in the top of the ninth inning. Graves was victimized with the four runs, three earned. The Bears got the inning started when Marcus Nettles reached on an error. This was followed with three consecutive doubles which put the game out of reach for the Ducks. The Ducks led the game 4-3 going into the eighth inning before Valentine, who has been pitching so well as of late, gave up the tying run. Ray Navarrete set a new career high with his 11th home run of the season.
Weekly Notes:
- Carl Everett is second in home runs (21) and leads the league in RBIs (79).
- The Ducks have a player in the top five of every hitting category.
- The Ducks own the best record in all of the Atlantic League (21-9) and are three games better than the York Revolution.
- The Ducks have a six-game road trip. The first three games will be played at Bridgeport against the Bluefish (11-18). They then travel to York in what looks to be a battle of first place teams.
