Flock Seeks Homestand
Victories Over West
Virginia Power
After three games in York, Pennsylvania, the Long Island Ducks returned home this week seeking to improve on their current tie with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs in the North Division.
At Fairfield Properties Ballpark on Tuesday, the Ducks defeated the West Virginia Power 6-1 in the opener of a three-game series against the team currently on the bottom of the South Division.
Meanwhile, the Blue Crabs must battle the South Division-leading Lexington Legends to keep pace with Long Island.
Player/Coach Lew Ford spoke, who played in Tuesday’s victory, noted the urgency of the schedule, given that winning the first half of the season earns the team a post-season berth in pursuit of another Atlantic League championship.
“There’s a few games left in the first half, but not a lot. We’re really close and we need all the wins we can get,” Ford explained. “So it was good to get back here, open up with a ‘W’ and start the homestand off on a good note,” he added.
Ford led the Flock offensively with two hits, an RBI and a run scored, while Sal Giardina added two hits, a run and a walk to bolster Ducks starter Scott Harkin (2-0) who earned the win.
Harkin (photo above) tossed six innings of one-run ball, allowing just two hits and one walk while striking out five. Joe Harris (0-1) took the loss for the Power, surrendering two runs on two hits and three walks over five innings with one strikeout. In relief for the Ducks, Brady Dragmire, Mike Bolsinger and Danny Barnes combined to pitch three scoreless innings.
“It was nice tonight…Harkin threw a great game for us and our bullpen was really good,” said Ducks Manager Wally Backman on Tuesday. “[It was] a nice job by the pitching staff for sure,” the skipper added.
Ford agreed.
“[Harkin] was throwing strikes to begin with…He pounded the zone. He’s got a good fastball and he uses it. He pitches off his fastball. He’s not afraid to challenge the hitters, and he’s having a lot of success doing it.”
Harkin’s “able to go back and forth so good and he can locate his fastball,” noted Backman. “I’m kind of shocked that he’s a guy that’s around still, because it looks like he can really pitch. So we’ll just have to wait and see what he does next time.”
Pummel the Power
The Ducks got on the scoreboard first Tuesday, courtesy of a sacrifice fly from Lew Ford and an RBI single by L.J. Mazzilli in the first inning off Power starter Harris. Rymer Liriano closed the gap to 2-1 in the fourth on a solo home run to left field off Harkin. The Ducks got the run back in the sixth, however, when Mazzilli scored on a wild pitch.
Long Island extended its advantage to 6-1 with three runs in the eighth inning. Steve Lombardozzi scored on a passed ball, and both Hector Sanchez and Daniel Fields notched RBI singles.
The Ducks and Power will continue their three-game set at press time on Wednesday night. Right-hander Joe Iorio (2-1, 4.06) takes the mound for the Ducks against Power righty Arik Sikula (2-4, 4.40). The series finale will be Thursday night before the York Revolution comes to town for a three-game weekend series at the Ducks Pond.
Tonkin Moves On
The contract of right-handed pitcher Michael Tonkin (right photo) was purchased this week by Toros de Tijuana of the Mexican League.
Tonkin thus becomes the 10th member of the 2021 Ducks roster to have his contract purchased by a Major League organization or foreign professional league.
“Michael has been exceptional once again as our closer,” said Ducks President/GM Michael Pfaff. “He is very deserving of this opportunity, and we wish him the best of luck in Mexico.”
Tonkin picked up nine saves this season for the Ducks, good for second-most in the Atlantic League. In 16 appearances, he allowed just four runs (one earned) in 17 innings, posting a 0.53 ERA. The five-year MLB veteran tallied a 2-1 record while recording 21 strikeouts versus just five walks. He held opponents to a minuscule .161 batting average overall, and posted five consecutive scoreless appearances this July.
In two seasons with the Ducks, the 31-year-old has recorded 16 saves in 37 appearances. Tonkin compiled a 5-3 record with a 0.41 ERA, yielding just two earned runs in 43.2 innings of work. Additionally, he has struck out 52 batters while walking only 14 and has held opponents to a .137 batting average.
During the 2019 season, Tonkin’s contract was purchased from the Ducks by the Arizona Diamondbacks on August 19, and he went on to pitch with Triple-A Reno in the Pacific Coast League.
LI Ducks and ALPB
The Long Island Ducks are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB), a Professional Partner League of Major League Baseball, and are set to play 2021 home games at Fairfield Properties Ballpark (the former Bethpage Ballpark).
For more information on the team, call (631) 940-DUCK or visit the official website at www.liducks.com.
The Atlantic League is the first Professional Partner League of Major League Baseball, a player gateway to the major leagues, and a leader in baseball innovation. The ALPB has sent over 950 players to MLB organizations while drawing 42 million fans to its family friendly ballparks over its 24-year history.
For more about the ALPB, fans can check out www.AtlanticLeague.com.
