*** Taken from New York SportsDay.com ***

CENTRAL ISLIP, NY - In the first five matches against the Bridgeport Bluefish this season before today, the Long Island Ducks have surrendered 58 runs. Especially in the first two games of this series, the visitors from Connecticut have taken advantage in of Long Island starters, especially in the first few innings, accumulating leads that they would not vanquish.

After losing the first two of this series, Long Island decided to change the roles, and became the attackers. Scoring in each of the first six innings, the Ducks bats were awake on Sunday, wreaking havoc on Bluefish pitchers. On the strength of two Carl Everett home runs - with the latter being a Grand Slam - the Ducks (14-15) came away with a 19-6 victory over the Bluefish (14-15), in front of 6,211 at Citibank Park.

Everett, among the top 10 in batting average (.369) hit a solo shot off Bridgeport starter Carlos Castillo (0-2), in the first, and hit a massive shot to right in the 5th off Chris Eikhorst. Everett has been on base for 20 consecutive games.

“He is so comfortable at the plate right now, and proves to be a leader every day in the clubhouse”, said Ducks interim manager Bud Harrelson with skipper Dave LaPoint away, attending his son’s college graduation.

Every Ducks starter got at least one hit. Only P.J. Rose did not get a run batted in. Kevin Haverbusch stroked his second home run of the season and had three of the sixteen hits of Bluefish pitching.

Estee Harris, a native of Central Islip, blasted the third pitch of the game for Long Island over the right center field fence giving the Ducks the lead. He also drove in a run on a fielders choice, scored three runs, and stole two bases.

“Carl (Everett) has been such a great mentor for Estee”, said Harrelson. “He has worked with him, and worked on getting his confidence up and keep an even keel at the plate.”

Ducks starter Randy Leek (2-1), gave up a run in the second with only one hit out of four in the inning reaching the outfield. Leek pitched seven strong innings, striking out six and walking none. The former MacArthur High School General from Levittown, has been one of the more consistent starters on the Ducks over the past two seasons, with a WHIP of just under 1.00.

“The bullpen has been overworked of late, so with a big lead like that, it’s my job keep throwing strikes”, said Leek. “I had a game plan to keep the hitters off the plate, get inside a little bit, and keep them guessing.”

With this victory, the Ducks are back to a virtual tie with Bridgeport, six games behind Liberty Division leading Camden. At the 40% mark for the first half, there is still time to chip into the division lead.

“The upcoming road trip (four in Lancaster, and three in Southern Maryland), is very important. A game like this, will give the guys some real confidence for next week. Good things.”

And that’s what they are hoping for next week.

Notes: In each of the first six innings, the Ducks got the first man on base. Those runners subsequently scored. P.J. Rose’s consecutive RBI streak ended at seven. Rob Cafiero, part time player and coach, pitched the ninth inning, allowing three runs on three hits, to raise his ERA from 0.00 to 6.75. Bridgeport’s Luis Lopez who went four for four against the Ducks in Saturday night’s contest, went zero for five today. Jamal Strong made the unusual in the score sheet registering a sacrifice fly to second base and a RBI. Actually, the second baseman for Bridgeport was unable to catch the fly ball, (it was called infield fly rule), but P.J. Rose smartly came down the third base line to score Long Island’s first of four runs in the third inning. The Ducks leave after the game, for a seven day road trip to Lancaster and Waldorf, MD, before returning home on Jun. 2 for a seven game home stand against Somerset and Newark.

Did not get to see the game, unfortunately, because I was at the Ducks game. It sounded like the Wings were totally dominant. A lot of these young kids of Pittsburgh have been calm cool and collected during the past three series, but in this instance, I guess the youth and exuberance was not the best thing for these guys.

Maybe tonight, a little desperation would be the ingredient they need to tie up the series.

However, I have been in DUCK mode for the last few weeks. I went to the game on Saturday, and covered the game on Sunday (the article will shown below). They have had some injuries to their staff, and lost their closer Joe Valentine (AAA- Phillies). After losing the first two games against Bridgeport, the Ducks EXPLODED for 19 runs (scored one in all but one inning), for a 19-5 victory. The Ducks are tied for 3rd with Bridgeport - 6 games behind division leading Camden.

BTW - at 3PM today, say a prayer in silence for those that have been lost in serving our country in the military, and for those who are doing it today. No matter what side of the fence you may be politically (and frankly, I do not care), please give your wholeharted support to the men and women who defend our freedom.

Have a great memorial day, everyone… It is BE-A-UTIFUL! day!

Garth Snow is visiting the NYI Booster Club meeting tonight - along with Paul Lancey of the Lighthous foundation.

Looking forward to hearing his thoughts for the summer and next year. I am interested to see what direction the team is looking to go.

I was unable to make the town meeting last night, so I know that information will be a repeat to some, but it was real nice that Garth was able to give us some time as well.

We are going to get updates from the Lighthouse project. I got to see a glimpse of this before it went to the public a few weeks ago. I am real excited about it. The thought of having a building that will be helpful to not only give us better access, but a showplace for the Island…

Will write more tomorrow about the meeting..

I think it is time for my comments.

I expected to see the Penguins to make it to the Conference finals. I did not expect, however, to see them win as easily and handily as they did.

I think the last few weeks of the season, and heading into the first round against Ottawa, I just felt something special was going to happen to the Pens. And I am sure that the doubters and the naysayers were saying that the NHL wants Pittsburgh to win. Typical response from these people (and I am sure that they all wear the blue and red…)

And let me get this off my chest right now. I am not a big Sid fan. I believe that he has a tremendous talent base, and is good for the league and all of that stuff. I think he will be a definite asset to the game for years to come. He is the type of guy that you hate if you play against him, but the fans in Pittsburgh are in love with him. Along with his comrade Gino, they are the best duo in hockey.

Does he dive?

He may embellish a little. I am sure that in some instances that a penalty may or may not be ready to be called, he may drop his weight to the ice, in the hopes of the referee’s hand going up.

I think he is a better player than that to just up and dive.

These naysayers also believe that the ref’s were told to give Crosby the benefit of the doubt all the time… Yes - I am sure that the post-season payouts would be taken away if they did not constantly give players like Crosby, Malkin, Hossa and others the breaks they need to win the game….

You people are so full of yourselves…

Ranger fans understand - Pittsburgh is just a better team than you, that are playing at the highest level right now. Your team did a good job - and the games were close; but the Pens are just better. I think that your team has great foundation players, and the young guys are moving up quite well. Callahan, Dubinsky, Girardi, Betts, among others are good players and will be counted upon even more, as their experience level increases. But believe me, you did not lose, because Bettman wants to see Sidney, the poster boy, be in the finals. Remember, a lot of the media were saying that Ranger fans should prepare for a parade in mid June down the Canyon of Heroes. So you thought that all of the Eastern teams should just stand aside and let you by…

uh, yea…

Anyway - am I disappointed the Rangers are out?

No.

Did I expect it?

Yes. I just thought the Pens are too much. I think they have a REAL chance to win the cup. It is just my observation that this team is peaking at the right time, and unless these guys just fall down flat, I do not expect to lose any other series. Yes - and this is a conspiracy….

Sparky’s Predictions:

Pens in 5
Detroit in 5

OH - make sure you tune into the New York Hockey Report tonight at 9PM. I should be in RARE form tonight. Make sure you check it out.

Call into the show, if you must… (646) 716-7209. Talk to you then.

Let’s face it - I do not like the hockey player….

However, as a member of the human race, I hope that he recovers from the lacerated spleen that he suffered last night.

No matter what rumors you hear, that is a scary thing. He should make a full recovery before camp begins, and will be back to his usual pest ways.

That’s fine…

I may wish that he never has to play the Islanders again, but not for those reasons. Get better Sean.

Isn’t yours???

Well - mine is….

NOT

As the media did when the season started, they basically anointed the Rangers the champs. Just what you need to start up the “Mutant Fans”. And by the way - that does not categorize all Rangers fans. There are many that are good fans, and do not act that way. However, the muppets that do - make Rangers fans the most obnoxious fans in hockey. That is not my opinion, that is of many others that I have encountered.

However, you just do not think that all 29 teams were to bow to you, and let you walk away with the cup, do you?

I dont think so.

The reason that you are down 3-0 is simple. Making the most of the opportunities and not playing stupid. (Ask Ryan Hollweg that…). Taking stupid penalties, not taking advantage of your own situations, and most of all - the wining….

Crying about Crosby…. Take the limelight off of him, and shine it on Malkin. He has abused the Rangers in last night’s game. This has been great seeing the focus on Crosby, because it has allowed others to shine. The defense for Pittsburgh has been brilliant! Blocking shot, taking players to the outside. The Rangers got their chances, but the defense for the Pens have done a great job. The inept Devils D, just made the Rangers think that all other opponents would just succumb to the same play….

I say HA!

By the way Derek Felix… Look at the Detroit series…. Colorado has given more effort than the Islanders have in this playoff series. Right - the Isles are not in it - about as much as Colorado is right now…

Well - let me go to the corner and do some more crying for the Rangers. As Joe Mac would say, they are DOEN!

I saw an article on ESPN.com today, and it mentioned about a SWB Penguin (AHL) captain being arrested over the weekend for drunk behavior and indecent exposure. Supposedly over a bet, the baby Penguin streaked around the streets of Wilkes Barre in a drunken state.

The article was nothing much, but in the comments section below it, there was a great comment…

I am sure that Rangers fans will accuse this Penguin of Diving!

That quote was priceless.

So - what do the Rangers need to do to win tonight? Keep their heads and maybe score a goal or two….. Especially on the PP.

The Pens - keep presurring the Rangers at every turn, and when they say “Uncle”, do some more…..

Will San Jose drop dead and give up….? Well - they need a shock treatment tonight!

Tune into versus tonight, and see what brews.

- Pens look real strong. I think the ending of game 2 made the thoughts of game 3 be real interesting to say the least

- Wining and moaning from the Rangers about Crosby. They are not totally off base, but they had their chances on the PP, and did NOTHING. So quit crying, you bunch of babies, and try to put the puck in the net. It makes you sound like children.

- Detroit looks like they may do it in 4. See Derek, Patrick and Steve from the NYHR last week, I do know what I am talking about once in a while.

- Montreal/Philly should be quite interesting tonight, as the Kostopolous incident will make to the forefront. Expect Cote, Downey, and other enforcers to be ready to take on the Habs at home tonight.

- San Jose - I think they forgot to bring the defense to the 3rd period.

- Brad Richards came out of his slumber with a 4 point night in the 3rd period. He works in spurts.

- Officiating has been tough - but better than the first round. I am glad they removed the guys that were real poopy!

Make sure you tune into Versus for Game 3 in Philly tonight, as this is the only game on tonight. And BTW - Go Pens!

Also - Ducks gets 6 runs in first three innings to win 10-6 at Home against Newark. Day off today, before a 3 game series against Lancaster starting tomorrow.

Central Islip, NY. - As to most starts of baseball seasons, players have been dealing with the warm temperatures of Florida. With the Atlantic League, this is no exception. After an evening that felt more like July, the cool spring breezes returned to Citibank Park on Saturday night, as the Long Island Ducks relievers struggled with their control in the latter stages of the game, and fell to the Newark Bears 6-4. Both teams are now 1-1 to start the season

Long Island pitchers retired their opponents in order in five of the nine innings. In three of the other four, however, Newark got base hits and scored in each of these frames.

Newark opened the scoring in the first inning, by getting three bloop singles, with the last being a broken bat effort boy Corey Aldridge scoring two of Ducks starter Manny Ulloa.

Ducks catcher Jamie Pogue’s sharp single over shortstop put the Ducks on the board in the 2nd inning. Long Island took the lead in the next inning thanks in part to four singles off Bears starter Benito Baez.

In the fourth, Ulloa’s error allowed the inning to continue, and the Bears took advantage of the mistake by driving home a run on a sacrifice fly, then a single by Vic Guitierrez to right, putting Newark on top by a four to three score.

“The error he (Ulloa) seemed to lose his confidence”, said Ducks manager Dave LaPoint, who removed the starter after the fourth run scored.

Ducks newcomer Ryan Knippschild pitched brilliantly from the fourth through the sixth innings, to keep the Bears bats from doing any further damage, retiring ten straight batters.

“He threw the ball real well”, said LaPoint. “These guys (Knippschild and Jon Asahina) are guys that we really don’t know that well. We put them in and they threw strikes and got the job done.”

In the bottom of the seventh, Carl Everett smoked a fast ball by Newark reliever Cory Willey (1-0) deep to left center field to even the score at four. Everett has been tearing the cover off the ball in the first two games of the season, with five hits in his first eight trips to the plate.

In the eighth, after Ben Grezlovski (0-1) allowed a hit to Bobby Hill, who was then sacrificed to second, Tom Martin came in to pitch. After retiring Randall Simon for the second out, Martin faced Cory Aldridge. On a three and two count, Aldrige slapped a curveball to right field over P.J. Rose to give the Bears a 5-4 lead. After walking and hitting the next batter with a pitch, Asahina relieved Martin, and gave up an infield single to Jon Pachot, to increase the lead to 6-4.

For the Ducks, however, the bats went silent. Al Levine pitched a scoreless ninth inning to save the Bears first win of the season.

“It is early, and we are playing good baseball. Our pitcher made the only error, but we are playing well, as a team and it will only get better”, said LaPoint.

QUACKER NOTES: Third baseman Damian Rolls had three singles for the Ducks, who collected ten hits on the evening. Former major leaguer Randall Simon of the Bears was spotted in the dugout, as the Nathan’s Hot Dog Race was held down the third base line. Simon, playing for the Pittsburgh Pirates a few years back, tackled a bratwurst during a similar race in Milwaukee which caused national attention. Fortunately, no wieners suffered any injuries in this contest.

It’s Duck Season!!!

Yes Bugs, you are right!

The Long Island Ducks, that is….

This is the ninth season of Ducks Baseball to be played at Citibank Park in Central Islip. I am so looking forward to getting back to the park.

Mind you, I am a staunch METS fan (sorry Yankee Universe…). I enjoy the rivalry, but don’t hate the Yankees, but I can never root for them (kind of like a certain hockey team that is on 33rd street, eh?). However, going to the Ducks, you are right in the action. An intimate crowd of about 6,000+ that get into it. The action is right on top of you, and although it is not MLB, it is a good product. I love it, and about 3 years ago, Joe McDonald, the “Big Toe” of the NY Sports Day conglomerate, gave me the chance to work on my writing skills, and get to cover a minor league baseball team. I only do occasional home games, but it is a great chance to be responsible for letting people know about the game, that did not attend or listen to the game on the radio.

Some cynical people can say:

Sure - you get into the game for free, and eat for free too…..

Yes - I do, and the food at the game is not too bad, either!!! And yes - I save $10 per game, but really, the cost is DEFINITELY not a factor.

I love the game, and getting to tell people about it - is a great deal of fun for me.

This weekend, the new look Ducks take on the Atlantic League Champion Newark Bears for a 3 game set. The Ducks have a number of players with extensive major league experience, including former Met Carl Everett, who last year for the Ducks slugged a team record 97 RBI’s. Pete Rose Jr., returns to the Flock after setting a team record in hits (155) and batted .342. Local star Kevin Haverbusch comes back to Long Island having a strong spring, and ready to go. Dominick Ambrosini also comes back to the Ducks after achieving career numbers with Lancaster last season.

The Atlantic League now has an even number of team’s this year (excluding last year’s Road Warriors), with the advent of the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. With an even number, the Ducks willl play 140 games, so 70 home dates await the fans this season.

Make sure you check out www.nysportsday.com for your great coverage of the Ducks, and other sports that are New York. Great coverage, excellent insight, and independent reporting are what makes New York Sports Day a great place to get your sports info (BTW - am I sucking up to boss Big Toe??? - No.)

I will post my article on the viewfromsection317 Blog too.