Game 94: Ducks vs. Revolution

The new Pace of Play initiative in the Atlantic League has been active for two days and is already paying dividends. With five notable changes, the duration of games has decreased across the league. For more information on the specifics of the initiative, CLICK HERE. The decreased duration of games was highlighted last night at Bethpage Ballpark by the shortest nine inning game the Long Island Ducks have played this year (2:21). Not only was the pace of the game improved, but play (at least for the Ducks) was improved as well, with the Flock taking the series opener from the York Revolution 2-1.

John Brownell was the first star of the game for Long Island. The third-year Duck was consistent throughout, and dominant at times against a Revolution team that he had struggled against earlier in the season. Locked in a pitcher’s duel with York starter Corey Thurman, Brownell tossed eight innings of one-run ball, allowing just four hits in the process. The righty did walk five batters, but struck out three and forced a pair of double-play groundouts to help him work out of danger. The lone inning of danger for the Oklahoma native came in the top of the eighth, when a walk and a pair of singles led to the lone run of the ballgame for the Revs.

The second star of the game for the Flock was Dan Lyons. With Brownell and Thurman exchanging zeroes through the first five-and-a-half innings, with Lyons who finally broke the ice in the bottom of the sixth. Leading off the inning, the fourth-year Duck lifted a solo home run – his third of the year – over the fence in left field to give Long Island a 1-0 lead. It was Lyons’ second home run in the last week, and certainly came at an opportune time. The Minnesota native later walked in the bottom of the eighth as part of a rally to put the Ducks in front for good.

CLICK HERE to view last night’s recap, listen to the audio highlights and watch postgame comments from Kevin Baez, Brownell and Lyons.

Bobby Blevins toes the rubber tonight for the Ducks in his 16th start of the season. The third-year Duck enters tonight’s ballgame 5-3 on the year with a 3.59 earned run average. The righty had a dominant month of July, tossing five quality starts in five appearances. Blevins allowed no more than two runs in each of his five July starts, including a nine-inning effort his last time out against the Camden Riversharks. Despite just a 1-0 record in July, Blevins allowed just eight runs over 38 and one-third innings, good for a 1.88 ERA. The Briarcliffe, N.Y. native is 0-1 against York in three starts this year.

Blevins will works against Revolution southpaw Logan Williamson tonight. In 10 starts this year, Williamson is 3-4 with an impressive 2.48 ERA. The first-year Rev has allowed more than three runs in a start just twice this year, and has allowed more than two earned runs in a start just once (6/12 vs. Camden). In two starts against the Ducks this year, Williamson 1-0, having allowed just one unearned run on 12 hits and one walk over 11 innings of work.

Here are tonight’s game notes:

Ducks vs. Revolution: Tonight marks the 13th meeting of the season between the Ducks and Revolution and ninth of 10 games between them on Long Island. The Revolution currently lead the series eight games to four. Long Island and York have played 147 games against each other all-time, with the Ducks holding a 74-73 lead as well as a 45-31 advantage at Bethpage Ballpark.

On-Base Machine: With a single in the sixth inning on Saturday, Brendan Harris extended his on-base streak to 26 consecutive games. That’s the longest active on-base streak in the Atlantic League and three games shy of the longest by a Duck this season, which Cody Puckett achieved from May 6 to June 6. During the streak, Harris is batting .293 (27-for-92) with three doubles, two homers, 14 RBI, 15 runs and 23 walks. The former big leaguer has a hit in 21 of the 26 games during that span.

Launching Longballs: After going four consecutive games without hitting a home run, the Ducks have now homered in back-to-back games after Dan Lyons went deep on Saturday. His solo home run in the sixth inning was his third of the year. It was also his second of the week after he hit a solo homer in game one of a doubleheader on Sunday, July 27 in Bridgeport. The 2012 Championship Series MVP entered the season with five home runs combined in three seasons with the Ducks.

What Can Brown-ell Do For You? John Brownell earned his Atlantic League leading 11th win of the season Saturday with eight innings of one-run ball. It marked the fourth time this season in which he allowed one run or less in seven or more innings. The third-year Duck also leads the league in games started (20), innings pitched (137.1) and complete games (4) while ranking second in strikeouts (91) behind Sugar Land’s Matt Wright (106).

Brett’s Been Dominant: Brett Lorin picked up his second save of the year with a perfect ninth inning on Saturday. The right-hander has now made 12 consecutive appearances without allowing an earned run. In 10.2 innings during that span, Lorin has allowed just eight hits, two unearned runs and two walks while striking out six batters. His 2.02 ERA in 2014 is the lowest among active Ducks pitchers.

Faithful Flock: Saturday’s crowd of 6,438 was the Ducks’ ninth past-capacity crowd of the season. Long Island welcomed 12 past-capacity crowds total during the 2013 season. Long Island has now hosted 636 sold out crowds all-time, an Atlantic League record.

On the Air: Tonight’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 tonight’s lineups:

Ducks
#24 Fehlandt Lentini – RF
#25 Brendan Harris – 3B
#20 Lew Ford – CF
#6    Bill Hall – DH
#13 Adam Bailey – LF
#2   Cody Puckett – 2B
#14  Brandon Bantz – C
#22 Joash Brodin – 1B
#12  Dan Lyons – SS

#18  Bobby Blevins – RHP

Revolution
#7    Justin Greene – RF
#4    Eric Patterson – 2B
#17  Travis Garcia – SS
#2    Chad Tracy – DH
#37  Bryant Nelson – 3B
#11  Ofilio Castro – 1B
#9    Tim Battle – LF
#20 Angel Flores – C
#12  Sean Smith – CF

#26  Logan Williamson – RHP

Stay tuned here for updates throughout the game as the Ducks look to make it two straight wins against York!

UPDATE (5:13): TOP 1: York grabs a 1-0 lead on a solo home run from Eric Patterson

UPDATE (5:55): BOT 3: DUCKS LEAD! Adam Bailey with a bases-clearing three-run double to put the Flock in front 3-1!

UPDATE (6:30): BOT 5: Ducks add to their lead on a RBI double from Adam Bailey! Bailey now w/ 4 RBI in the ballgame, as the Flock lead 4-1!

UPDATE (7:07): Heading to the top of the ninth at the Duck Pond, the Flock still lead the Revolution 4-1! Bobby Blevins looking for the complete game!

UPDATE (7:26): BALLGAME!!! Bobby Blevins works his first complete game of the year as the Ducks defeat the Revs 4-1! Adam Bailey with two 2Bs, four RBI!