Sports
Ducks win, set attendance mark
By Long Island Ducks
Jul 5, 2008 - 11:37:34 PM

The Long Island Ducks defeated the Bridgeport Bluefish in comeback fashion on Saturday 8-7 before a past-capacity crowd of 6,710 at Citibank Park. The crowd helped the organization establish a new three-day attendance record at Citibank Park, with a total of 21,128 fans cheering on their hometown team over the past three nights.

The game was won in the bottom of the ninth inning on a passed ball with the bases loaded and two outs. With Nook Logan aboard at second base, Bridgeport elected to intentionally walk Carl Everett and Jay Gibbons to pitch to Jamie Pogue. But the first pitch of Pogue’s at-bat caught the edge of catcher Brian Munhall’s glove and rolled to the backstop. Logan slid in safely under the tag of pitcher Eddy Ramos to seal the come-from-behind victory. The Ducks overcame a 7-5 deficit with single runs in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings.

Logan was 3-for-5 at the plate with three runs scored, while Everett went 2-for-3 with three RBI, including his 12th home run of the season. Pete Maestrales collected two RBI, while Dennis Donovan chipped in by driving in a run as part of a 2-for-4 effort. The Bluefish were paced by leadoff man Travis Ezi, who went 1-for-4 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored, and Brian Munhall, who connected for a three-run blast to highlight a five-run Bridgeport sixth. Alex Prieto had a 3-for-4 night with two runs scored to contribute to the Bluefish offense.

Randy Leek pitched the first five and one-third innings for the Ducks, surrendering six runs – five earned – on 11 hits. The bullpen came to Leek’s aid, however, allowing only one run over the final three and two-thirds innings of the contest. Todd Williams (1-1) picked up the win with one and two-thirds hitless innings of relief. Matt Pike and Mike Connelly combined for the first eight innings for Bridgeport. Pike gave up five runs on eight hits in five innings, while Connolly allowed two runs and three hits in three innings of work. Eddy Ramos (0-2) took the loss, giving up a double to Logan in the ninth, and intentionally walking the two batters before the passed ball ended the game.

The Ducks wrap up the first half of the 2008 season on Sunday against the Bridgeport Bluefish. Gametime is 5:05 p.m., and the Citibank park gates open at 4:05 p.m. The first 1,500 kids 12 years old and under will receive a lunch box, courtesy of News 12 Long Island. Prior to the game, all fans will be invited down onto the field to participate in a pregame autograph session, and following the game fans will be welcomed back onto the field for Kids Run the Bases, presented by Bethpage Federal Credit Union. Fans unable to attend the game can tune into all the action live on WNYG 1440 AM, WLIR 107.1 FM, or via streaming webcast at www.liducks.com, with Ducks radio voice Chris King calling the play-by-play. Tickets to the game and all upcoming Ducks home games are available at the Citibank Park Box Office, by calling (631) 940-TIXX, or by logging onto www.liducks.com and clicking on the tickets icon at the top of the page.

The Long Island Ducks play their home games at Citibank Park and are in their ninth season of play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. For further information, visit www.liducks.com, or call (631) 940-3825.

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