Ducks' rally falls short in Game 2
The Ducks scratched and clawed their way back from a 7-0 third-inning deficit, but in Game 2 of the Liberty Division Championship Series, they ran out of time.
Southern Maryland held on to defeat the Ducks, 8-6, Thursday at Bethpage Ballpark, evening the best-of-five series at a game apiece. Eduardo Morlan and Jim Ed Warden combined to hold the Ducks scoreless for the final 32/3 innings.
The Ducks take to the road for Game 3 tonight at 7:05 p.m. Games 4 and 5 (if necessary) will be played Saturday and Sunday, also at Southern Maryland.
Ducks starter Josh Banks, who signed with the team on Aug. 29, did not have his best stuff, getting tagged for six runs in 22/3 innings. The damage began in the first, when Travis Garcia doubled home Brian Barton. Javier Garcia's throwing error allowed Garcia to advance to third. After a walk, third baseman Matt Padgett's error allowed the second run to score.
After allowing two more runs in the second, things got worse for Banks in the third when Kody Kirkland and Tanner Townsend hit back-to-back home runs.
That spelled the end of Banks' night, and in came Ruddy Lugo, who steadied things with 31/3 innings of one-run ball while the Ducks mounted their charge.
Padgett led off the third with a double, and after Freddie Thon's double, Kraig Binick (2-for-3) singled to put runners at first and third. Kennard Jones singled home the Ducks' first run, and two batters later, Javier Colina drew a bases loaded walk to make it 7-2.
John Rodriguez followed with a slow roller to first, and instead of stepping on the bag, Casey Benjamin rifled an errant throw to second, allowing two more runs to score.
In the sixth, Blue Crabs reliever Charlie Manning came on with the bases loaded and one out. Matt Esquivel and Binick walked to make it 7-6. Eduardo Morlan replaced Manning and struck out Jones and got Ray Navarrete to fly out with the bases loaded.
After the Blue Crabs scored once in the eighth off Tyler Walker to make it 8-6, Bubbie Buzachero threw 12/3 innings of scoreless relief. The Ducks threatened in the ninth, putting runners on first and second, but Rodriguez grounded out to end it.
