With the Long Island Ducks struggling for the first time in a long while, losing seven of their last nine games, it was perfect timing for the Road Warriors to come to town for a three game series at Citibank Park this past week. Anyone involved with sports knows that even the worst teams are capable of winning on any night, but there is no denying that the Ducks have completely dominated the Road Warriors this season. Last week was no different as Long Island swept the series against the league's traveling team, making their recent slump a distant memory.

It was the third straight time that Long Island has swept the Warriors. Overall, the Ducks have won 12 of the 15 games between the two teams this season. With this kind of success, you would think that Long Island would be glad to see the Warriors on the schedule but apparently this is not the case. "Despite what people might think, that is actually a good team," Ducks catcher Brad King says referring to the Road Warriors. "They are handicapped by the situation they are in, being a traveling team and basically a feeder for the other teams in the league. They have good hard-working players, though, and it is never an easy game when we play them because they don't give up."

The first two games of the series provided evidence to back Brad King's assertion that the Road Warriors are no pushovers. In game one, the Ducks held a five run lead but allowed the Road Warriors to score four runs in the ninth inning, cutting the lead to one run. Long Island managed to hold on and sneak out with the victory. The next night played out similarly. Everything was going well for the Ducks through six innings as they led 4-1 on the scoreboard and starting pitcher Bill Pulsipher was in complete control, having allowed only two Road Warrior hits.

However, the next two innings suddenly became a batting practice. The Warriors and the Ducks each scored two runs in the seventh and the Warriors continued with three more runs in the eighth inning off of Ducks relief pitcher Mike Crudale to tie the game. The Warriors would not have much time to enjoy their comeback as the first Ducks batter of the inning, Brad King, launched a solo home run over the left-field wall to give Long Island the lead again, this time for good. For the second straight night, the Ducks held on for a 7-6 win. "Kinger has been swinging the bat real well all season and he is doing a good job behind the plate too," Ducks manager Don McCormack said. "Good team defense starts with the catcher, so with that being said, his play has been a big asset for us both at the plate and behind it." King was glad that his home run kept the Ducks out of extra innings. "We didn't need to stay here any longer than necessary," the Ducks catcher said with a smile. "That's how the game goes, things can happen very quickly, and personally I am just glad that it stayed fair because from what I saw, it must have just missed the foul pole."

With the momentum of winning two close games, the Ducks easily defeated the Road Warriors in the last game of the series by a score of 12-4 as Pat Ahearne picked up the win. With the victory, Long Island has won 16 of their last 18 games at Citibank Park. This success carried over to the start of their road tripas the Ducks won two of three games in Somerset over this past weekend. The Ducks, who are currently tied in first place with Bridgeport, continue their trip this week with a three-game series in Lancaster followed by a weekend series in Camden. Long Island finally returns home next Tuesday (8/15) to open a nine game home-stand at Citibank Park.

New Home for Mahomes

The Ducks have lost yet another player to major league-affiliated ball. Pat Mahomes, arguably the team's best starting pitcher all season, has signed with the Kansas City Royals and will immediately report to their Triple-A affiliate in Omaha. He is the sixth Duck this season to be picked up by a big league team.

Mahomes says he has enjoyed his time on Long Island and does not rule out a return to the Ducks later in the season. "It is a great atmosphere here with the Ducks and, honestly, it was a lot better than I expected it to be," Mahomes says. "Hopefully I am going to go there and play well, move up to the big leagues and pitch some games for the Royals, but if not, I might come back here and help out in this playoff run."

In his first season with the Ducks, Mahomes amassed a 9-4 record, led the Atlantic League with four complete games, and was named to the 2006 Atlantic League All-Star team. He has been in the starting rotation for Long Island since the opening day of the season. "Pat was a guy that we counted on to give us a chance to win every fifth day," says Ducks general manager Michael Hirsch. "It's tough to see him go, but we are happy for him. We are confident that he will bring the success he had on Long Island to Omaha."

EXTRA INNINGS:

 The "Duck Days of Summer" took over Citibank Park during this past week's series with the Road Warriors. Long Island experienced record temperatures as high as 115 degrees when factoring in humidity, but this did not stop fans from selling out the ballpark and it certainly did not stop the Ducks from playing the games. "It was hot, there was no doubt about that," says pitcher Tony Fiore, "I felt ten pounds heavier because of all the sweat, so it was difficult to play through but we all did the best we could in the conditions." Bucky Jacobsen, of Washington State, has stated numerous times that his main problem adjusting to life on Long Island is the humidity. However, nobody on the field had it as bad as Brad King who has to wear an extra few pounds of catcher's equipment. "It was amazing how hot it was, it was hard to take," King said. "The humidity was practically smothering when I had my mask on, the only thing I could do was focus on the game and try to take my mind off the heat."

Ducks playoff tickets are going on sale next Monday (8/14) at 10:00 AM and if the past is any indication they will be snapped up pretty quickly. "We can't wait to have playoff baseball return to Citibank Park for the third consecutive season," says Ducks general manager Michael Hirsch. "The last two years, our fans brought energy to the park that made this place electric. We're hoping they'll do the same this year." Fans can buy individual tickets for each of the four possible home playoff games by calling 631-940-TIXX, by going to www.liducks.com, or by visiting the Citibank Park box office starting Monday morning.

The 2006 Atlantic League

Playoff schedule is as follows: North Division Playoffs (best-of-3): Tu 9/26: Gm. 1 Ducks @ 2nd Half North Champ or Wild Card Winner We 9/27: Gm. 2 2nd Half North Champ or Wild Card Winner @ Ducks, 7:05 p.m. Th 9/28: Gm. 3 (if necessary): 2nd Half North Champ or Wild Card Winner @ Ducks, 7:05 p.m. Atlantic League Championship (best-of-5): Fr 9/29: Gm. 1 South @ North (at Citibank Park if Ducks qualify) Sa 9/30: Gm. 2 South @ North (at Citibank Park if Ducks qualify) Su 10/1: Gm. 3 North @ South Mo 10/2: Gm. 4 (if nec.) North @ SouthTu 10/3: Gm. 5 (if nec.) North @ South