Game 34: Ducks vs. Patriots

The Long Island Ducks and Somerset Patriots continued their rollercoaster rivalry last night at Bethpage Ballpark. After the Ducks earned a thrilling, come-from-behind 6-5 victory over the Patriots Friday night, it was Somerset who responded Saturday with an 8-0 victory. Before we get into the specifics of last night’s ballgame, first we must talk about a special guest the Ducks will be hosting at the ballpark today. Peppa Pig, the star of the hit Nick Jr. TV show Peppa Pig, will be making her return to Central Islip today! Peppa will be available for pictures with all of her fans once gates open at 12:35 p.m., and throughout the ballgame as well. Make sure to bring your kids out to the game so they can meet Peppa Pig in person!

Last night, Somerset tied up the weekend series with the commanding 8-0 victory. It marked the first time this year that the Ducks’ potent offense had been shut out. Patriots starter Gary Moran tossed seven strong innings, allowing just three hits and two walks with three strikeouts. Former Duck Daniel Herrera and reliever Mike DeMark finished off the game to complete the combined four-hit shutout.

Despite receiving the loss, Fernando Hernandez tossed another quality start for Long Island. The former big leaguer allowed three runs (one earned) over six innings of work on six hits, four walks and five strikeouts. Somerset took the early lead with three runs in the third inning off Hernandez, before adding three more runs in the seventh, and a run in both the eighth and ninth innings to cap the scoring.

CLICK HERE to read last night’s recap and watch postgame comments from Kevin Baez and Hernandez.

Today, Jared Lansford will toe the rubber for the Ducks. Lansford will be making his fifth start of the year for Long Island. The former relief pitcher is currently 1-1 with a 4.00 ERA, 11 walks and 19 strikeouts over 18 innings of work. After he was held on an innings limit earlier in the season Lansford has worked at least five innings in his last two starts. He faces off today against Patriots starter Matt Langwell. The 6’2” right-handed starter enters today’s ballgame with a 2-3 record, 4.17 ERA, 11 walks and 30 strikeouts in six starts over 32 and one-third innings of work. Today will mark Langwell’s first career appearance against Long Island.

Here are today’s game notes:

Ducks vs. Patriots: Today marks the sixth meeting of the season between the Ducks and Patriots and the third of 10 games between the two on Long Island. Somerset currently leads the season series three games to two. Long Island and Somerset have played 270 games against each other all-time, with the Patriots holding a 137-133 series lead while the Ducks have a 72-66 lead at Bethpage Ballpark. Long Island’s last five wins over the Patriots at the Duck Pond (playoffs included) have been come-from-behind victories.

Milestone Achieved: On Friday, the Ducks became the first team in the Atlantic League’s 17-year history to welcome 6 million fans through the gates, despite having begun play in the league’s third year of existence (2000). Ted Nellis of East Northport, N.Y. was the lucky 6 millionth fan and received a host of prizes from the Ducks. Long Island has led the Atlantic League in attendance 12 times.

Filling the Duck Pond: Saturday’s crowd of 6,613 marked the second past-capacity crowd of the season at Bethpage Ballpark. The first came on Saturday, May 17 during a doubleheader with the Camden Riversharks. Long Island has now hosted 629 sold out crowds in franchise history, an Atlantic League record.

On-Base Machines: Cody Puckett has now reached base in 23 consecutive games after collecting a hit Saturday. He has at least one hit in 20 of those 23 games. Joash Brodin has reached base in 21 straight games after picking up the walk Saturday. During the streak, he’s batting .304 (24-for-79) and has raised his on-base percentage from .164 to .315. Lew Ford saw his on-base streak come to an end at 25 consecutive games on Saturday. That’s the longest by a Duck this year and the longest in the Atlantic League in 2014. Ford also had hits in 23 of those 25 games.

Success as a starter: Despite the loss on Saturday, Fernando Hernandez posted his second consecutive quality start by allowing three runs (one earned) in six innings. In his four starts this year, the right-hander has a 3.00 ERA, giving up seven earned runs in 21 innings. He has allowed 24 hits and 11 walks while striking out 11 as a starter.

On the Air: Today’s game will be broadcast live on Long Island’s home for news, traffic and weather, 103.9-FM LI News Radio. Live streaming video and audio will also be available online by CLICKING HERE. Marc Schwartz will call the play-by-play.

Finally, here are today’s starting lineups for the final game of the three-game set:

Ducks
#24 Fehlandt Lentini – CF
#2   Cody Puckett – 2B
#20 Lew Ford – DH
#22 Joash Brodin – RF
#50 Randy Ruiz – 1B
#25 Brendan Harris – 3B
#13 Adam Bailey – LF
#27 Keith Castillo – C
#12 Dan Lyons – SS

#21 Jared Lansford – RHP

Patriots
#3   Nate Spears – 2B
#91 Aharon Eggleston – LF
#2   Luis Montanez – CF
#15 Corey Smith – 3B
#32 Robbie Widlansky – DH
#7   Eddy Martinez-Esteve – DH
#6   Jonny Tucker – CF
#12 Edwin Maysonet – SS
#37 Damaso Espino – C

#35 Matt Langwell – RHP

Keep it here for updates all day long from Bethpage Ballpark as the Ducks look to take the three-game set against the Somerset Patriots!

UPDATE (2:37): We apologize for the difficulties with the video stream, but the video is now working! Watch live here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BT-lRIxknr8 …

UPDATE (2:37): Somerset leads 1-0 heading to the bottom of the  fourth inning. A sacrifice fly from Edwin Maysonet has provided the damage so far for the Patriots.

UPDATE (3:15): Somerset adds two runs in the top of the fifth on a Nate Spears homer and Corey Smith sac fly. 3-0 Patriots, heading to the sixth.

UPDATE (3:33): An RBI single from Damas Espino increases the Somerset lead to 4-0, heading to the bottom of the sixth.

UPDATE (4:37): Ducks score four in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game at four! Somerset regains the lead, however, in the eighth. 5-4 Patriots, B8.

UPDATE (4:58): Ducks tie it at five in the bottom of the eighth on a bases loaded walk from Sergio Miranda! All tied at five, heading to the ninth!

UPDATE (5:23): Extra baseball at the Duck Pond. Ducks and Patriots tied at five, heading to the tenth inning.

UPDATE (5:57): Both teams exchange a pair of scoreless innings, and we move on to the 12th inning, still tied at five.

UPDATE (6:08): Somerset grabs the lead in the 12th on an RBI single from Luis Montanez. 6-5 Patriots, heading to the bottom of the 12th.

UPDATE (6:24): Jon Hunton earns the save and the Ducks fall to the Patriots in 12 innings. Recap to follow shortly.