Paced by a six-run 3rd inning, the Long Island Ducks got out to a big lead and cruised to an 11-6 victory over the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs in the series opener at Regency Furniture Stadium. The win improved the Ducks record to 7-0 against the Blue Crabs this season.
Long Island (22-17) sent ten batters to the plate in the top of the 3rd inning and scored six runs off Gaby Hernandez. Cody Puckett hit a two-run single with the bases loaded and Lew Ford followed with an RBI single of his own to make it 3-0. Joash Brodin came up next and delivered the big blow of the inning with a three-run home run down the right field line to double the lead to 6-0.
After the Blue Crabs got a run in the 3rd, the Ducks added two more in the 4th. With two outs, Fehlandt Lentini hit his first home run of the season, a solo shot. Three batters later Brodin brought in his fourth run of the night with an RBI single to up the lead to 8-1.
Leading 8-2 in the 5th, Lentini tallied two more RBIs with a two-out, two run single to move the Ducks into double digits at 10-2.
Southern Maryland (17-24) got within striking distance in the bottom of the 7th. Trailing 10-3, Amadeo Zazueta brought in Angel Sanchez with an RBI single and Tony Delmonico then doubled home to cut the deficit to 10-6.
Jared Lansford (2-1) picked up his second win of the year against the Blue Crabs. He went the first six innings allowing two earned runs. Gaby Hernandez suffered the loss allowing a season-high eight runs on ten hits.
The Blue Crabs continue their five-game series spanning four days against the Long Island Ducks tomorrow night at 6:35 PM. Southern Maryland will send righty Ian Marshall (2-4, 4.86) to the mound against Long Island righty John Brownell (4-3, 4.33) Purchase tickets for the game by visiting www.somdbluecrabs.com or calling 301-638-9788.