Game 4 vs. Long Island Ducks

After a 25 minute weather delay...the game got under way. The latest news for the Long Island Ducks is that Ryan "THE SKEETER SWATTER" Garko was signed by the Tampa Bay Rays affiliated team the Montgomery Biscuits. Duniesky Flores took the bump for the Skeeters to start the game and gave up a 2-run HR to James McOwen of the Ducks before retiring the side. It appeared that the Skeeters were headed for another 3 up & 3 down inning until Jason "BIG MAN" Botts busted a 2 out triple. Pressley and Van Ostrand both walked to load the bases. Ofilio "THE HERO" Castro stepped in, eyed the pitcher, and unloaded a GRAND SLAM that landed in the Skeeters' bullpen...his first HR/Grand Slam of the season and the Skeeters' first team Grand Slam of the season. Just as the side was retired, the skies opened up and the rain started falling...causing a rain delay. The tarp was unrolled, the teams took to the dugouts/locker rooms, and the fans headed for the Concourse to stay dry. 

After an hour long rain delay...the 2nd inning was under way. Both teams brought relief pitchers in, the Skeeters brought in Pedro Liriano, and the Ducks brought in Wynn Pelzer. Both teams struggled to get anything going after the rain delay until the bottom of the 4th inning when Ofilio "THE HERO" Castro singled with 1 out, his 2nd hit of the game and 8 hits in his first 13 at bats since joining the Skeeters. The inning was retired on an Iggy Suarez fly out to LF for the 2nd out and Harrison was thrown out at 3rd before Castro could cross the plate to keep the Skeeters scoreless. The 5th inning was a little shaky for Liriano as he faced 5 Ducks, allowing a single and a walk, but held then scoreless for the 4th inning in a row. The Skeeters were able to tack on another run after a 2 out single by "BIG MAN" Botts, and a Pressley walk, Van Ostrand singled driving Botts in from 2nd base. Castro retired the inning by flying out to the 1st baseman...the score was 2-5 after 5. Things absolutely fell apart for the Skeeters in the 6th inning when Heath Phillips came in for Liriano as he faced 7 batters and getting 2 outs. Those 7 batters were able to score 2 runs on 2 singles and a double. Phillips was pulled after an intentional walk to load the bases. Sean Morgan stepped in and inherited 3 base runners with 2 outs. After going to a full count, he retired the inning on a ground out to the SS. The 7th & 8th inning were fairly uneventful even though 8 Ducks steeped to the plate & 10 Skeeters batted, both teams were held scoreless. The Ducks were able to make a comeback in the 9th inning as they scored 2 runs on 3 hits...leaving 3 runners on base to take the lead 6-5. Bell, Locke, and Botts came to the plate and sat right back down in order to end the game.

The MVP of the game for the Skeeters was Ofilio "THE HERO" Castro as he went 3-4 with 4 RBIs thanks to the first ever Grand Slam for Sugar Land. He also has a 4 consecutive game hit streak, hitting safely in all 4 games he has played. Bubba Bell & Jason "BIG MAN" Botts both have 3 game streaks and Van Ostrand has a mini 2 game streak.

The loss drops the record to 5-13...now 5.5 games behind Lancaster who did not play yesterday. Tuesdays game is scheduled for an 11:05am start...as long as the rains stay away.