Under normal circumstances, most baseball teams would not be too happy about winning only three of six games during a week-long home stand. However, this was certainly not a normal week for the Long Island Ducks. Playing without two of their starting pitchers and three of their best hitters, the Ducks have to be satisfied with their recent performances, most of which have been a lot better than they look on paper.

The injury bug hit Henry Rodriguez first, as the slugger missed the entire week of games. Third baseman Erick Almonte and recently signed Juan Gonzalez were both in the lineup last Tuesday and Wednesday before being shelved for the next four games with what the team called general soreness. As for the pitching staff, Long Island was left scrambling to find last-minute replacements for two members of their starting rotation. Damian Moss had to skip a start with an unspecified injury and the Ducks waved goodbye to Andrew Lorraine who signed with the Chicago White Sox. Lorraine becomes the third pitcher from Long Island's pitching staff to sign with a major league team this season and will be assigned to the Triple-A Charlotte Knights. "This is an exciting time for Andrew," said Ducks manager Don McCormack. "He was a great guy to have in our clubhouse and we wish him the best of luck with the Knights."

There was some big news made on the field as well with Juan Gonzalez making his home debut last Tuesday night. Each time Gonzalez came to the plate, he was greeted by a loud ovation from the home fans at Citibank Park. However, there was little else for the crowd to cheer about through the first seven and a half innings as the Ducks found themselves down 5-0 and being out hit by a whopping 16-to-1 margin. Then the team finally came to life in the bottom of the eighth and it was Gonzalez who started the rally with a double off the outfield wall. Dominick Ambrosini and Tony Schrager hit back-to-back home runs, then Mel Stocker and Erick Almonte hit consecutive doubles, and amazingly the score was tied at five. Hope of completing the comeback win ended when Lancaster scored in the 12th inning to take a one run lead and this time they held on for a 6-5 victory.

"You're always disappointed when you lose because that's what this game is about; winning or losing," said Ducks manager Don McCormack, "but this was just a little worse because I know we are capable of playing the entire game like we did in the eighth." Gonzalez went 1 for 5 in his first home game and declined to speak with reporters after the game, but his manager is happy with what he sees from the Ducks new outfielder so far. "It's going to take him some time to really get back in the flow," McCormack says, "but he is definitely making progress and getting better each day." The Ducks alternated wins and

losses over the next four games and lost the division lead to a surging Bridgeport team which was in the middle of a seven game winning streak. Long Island went in to their afternoon meeting with Somerset on Father's Day just hoping to stay within reach of the Bluefish. The Ducks sent all the dads home happy as the team's offense exploded for a 12-5 win. The team used the long ball on this day to score the majority of their runs with four different players hitting home runs. However, the biggest of them all came off the bat of Mel Stocker. Having gone hitless in his first four at-bats on the day, Stocker 's 23 game hitting streak was in jeopardy as he came to the plate in the eighth inning. Facing a 3-0 count, Stocker showed his team-first mentality by taking the fourth pitch for a called strike. On the very next pitch, Stocker was rewarded for his risk, as he sent a blast over the right-field wall for his first home run of the season. "You can't be selfish in a situation like that because this is a team sport," Stocker said after the game, "but it was definitely nice to extend it by hitting my first homer of the season, hopefully next time it won't come down to the last at-bat like that."

Back-up players such as Rob Cafiero were given a chance to play regularly this week due to all the injuries and the Massapequa Park native proved that he was capable of contributing by going 3 for 4 on Sunday. "It's unfortunate that some of our top guys have gone down but it has been nice to be able to get in there for a few days in a row and help the team out," says Cafiero, "It feels good to be out on the field and even pick up a few hits, I just want to do whatever I can to contribute." Strike Three.....Your Rich!

The Ducks and Mercury Insurance have joined together to start a new promotion which will give fans the chance to win $10,000 just for throwing a few pitches. "The Mercury Insurance Perfect Pitch Skill Challenge" will take place at select Ducks home games spread out over the rest of the 2006 season. Fans can enter the contest by visiting the Mercury booth, located on the main concourse inside Citibank Park, and completing a registration form before the start of the fourth inning on the dates listed below. Participants must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver's license.

At each of the chosen games, the Ducks will draw one name and the winner will be brought on the field to compete during the middle of the sixth inning. The contestant will be given up to six pitches and must throw three strikes through a target to win the cash grand prize. However, no contestant will go home empty handed. Players can win a suite for an upcoming Ducks game by throwing two strikes, an autographed bat for one strike, or four tickets to see a future Ducks game just for competing.

"Mercury Insurance is a dynamic, growing company that shares the Ducks commitment to providing topquality products at a great price, and we are proud to be partnering with them throughout the entire season," says Ducks general manager Michael Hirsch.

The contest will be offered at the following Ducks games: Fri.-6/23, Sat.-7/8, Fri.-7/14, Wed.-7/19, Fri.7/28, Wed.-8/2, Thu.-8/17, Sat.-8/19, Wed.-8/30 and Sat.-9/23.

EXTRA

INNINGS:

The Ducks started their critical four game series in Bridgeport on Monday with an 11-6 win. With the victory, Long Island reclaims first place in the North Division by half a game. Erick Almonte and Juan Gonzalez returned to the lineup while Henry Rodriguez remained on the bench. The team was led by two home runs off the bat of Bucky Jacobsen and Mel Stocker extended his hitting streak to 25 games. Stocker's streak is already a Ducks franchise record and is now only two games away from the all-time Atlantic League record.

Earlier in the week, the Ducks signed relief pitcher Kevin Tolar for the rest of the season to help out their thin bullpen. The 35-year-old has seen some action at the major league level with the Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox. Tolar made three appearances for the Ducks this week and looked sharp.