Ducks Beat Bluefish in Series Opener Extending Winning Streak to Five

Courtesy of the Long Island Duck

The Long Island Ducks took on the Bridgeport Bluefish Tuesday night for the opener of a three-game series at Bethpage Ballpark. The Ducks were able to defeat the Bluefish 5-1 adding another victory to their five-game winning streak.

Both teams were unable to score any runs until the fifth inning after Delta Cleary Jr. brought in an RBI single and a throwing error allowed Fehlandt Lentini take a 2-0 lead. The Bluefish were able to cut the Ducks lead down after an RBI single in the sixth inning from Welington Dotel which would be the only run Bridgeport would bring in for the game. Cody Puckett was able to extend the lead with a three-run double to left-center field.

Long Island sent Dustin Richardson to the hill to make his starting debut for Tuesday’s nights game. Richardson was signed by the Ducks on June 15, 2016 and has been a reliever for the Ducks up until Tuesday. Contract buy-outs caused space to free up in the starting rotation, manager Kevin Baez said he wanted to put a left handed pitcher in the rotation. When Baez described the night Richardson had on the hill, “He’s got a plus fast ball and he located well.” Baez also informed Richardson before the game started that he was going to be on a pitch-count limit. Baez said it was, “we try to stay on the same page. We were going to go three (innings) but it went quick and his pitch count was low so he went to four innings.” Richardson spoke after the game saying, “I enjoy being a starter, I seem to have some recent success. I am happy to be in the rotation.” He also said he did not find the adjustment to be difficult to make, “you’ve also got to remind yourself its still pitching, as a starter you know when you’re going to pitch so you can mental prepare yourself and as a reliever you’ve got to be ready to pitch everyday.” Richardson’s mindset for the game was, “one pitch at a time” and went on to saying a pitch-count limit did not effect his mindset during the game. Richardson threw four complete innings only giving up one hit while striking out four and walking one.

Long Island’s reliever Kevin Vance (3-1) took the win after pitching two innings and allowing one run off of four hits.

Long Island will face the Bridgeport Bluefish again on Wednesday at 6:35pm. The first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive a 2016 Team Photo courtesy of YMCA of Long Island. For tickets please call (631) 940-3825. Also, as of Tuesday morning playoff tickets have gone on sale for the Long Island Ducks post season, please call the Ducks directly for more information.

Courtesy of the Long Island Ducks