5-Run 8th Inning Leads Ducks to Victory

The Long Island Ducks’ (23-19, 66-46) offense looked lifeless for the first seven innings of the game. However, a 2-1 eighth inning deficit was quickly erased thanks to some timely hitting from the Flock.

The Ducks defeated the New Britain Bees (19-23, 54-57) by the score of 6-2 Sunday afternoon. Bees starter Devin Burke dominated the Ducks for seven innings, and it certainly looked like Long Island would go quietly in the final two innings. However, shortstop Vladimir Frias launched a solo homer that just stayed fair down the RF line off Bees reliever Jose Rosario to tie the game at two apiece.

LJ Mazzilli followed by working a walk, and Hector Sanchez and Deibinson Romero hit back-to-back singles to give the Ducks their first lead of the day at 3-2. After Rey Fuentes lined out, catcher Ramon Cabrera smacked a clutch 3 run homer over the right-center fence to push the Long Island lead to 6-2.

That was all the run support that the Ducks bullpen would need as relievers Cody Mincey and Pedro Beato combined to get the last six outs to clinch the huge come-from-behind victory. The Ducks have now moved back into first place in the Liberty Division standings.

Ducks starter Vin Mazzaro continued his excellence as a starter in today’s outing, tossing seven strong innings, while only allowing two earned runs on five hits. Since moving into the starting rotation, Mazzaro has posted a 2.83 ERA in six starts. In many ways, the move to the rotation has completely turned around what previously looked like a lost season for the 32-year-old. As a reliever during the first half of the season, he posted a brutal 6.47 ERA in 28 appearances.

The Ducks’ Road Ahead

Now back in first place, the Ducks will return home to Bethpage Ballpark to take on the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs for a four game series starting on Monday at 6:35 PM. Lefty Darin Downs (3-3, 2.89) will take the hill for Long Island and will be opposed by Blue Crabs righty Dusten Knight (1-3, 3.96).