NEWARK, NJ – August 10, 2007 – With the score tied at one in the bottom of the eighth inning, first baseman Pete Rose Jr. looped a single into shallow right-centerfield to drive in two runs and closer Danny Graves pitched a perfect ninth to give the Long Island Ducks a 3-1 victory over the Newark Bears at Citibank Park on Friday night.   

Second baseman Jose Offerman led off the Ducks eighth with a single to center.  Third baseman Dionys Cesar followed with a single to right that sent Offerman to third.  Cesar advanced to second on the throw to third.  The Bears brought the infield in, allowing Rose to poke the ball over the head of second baseman Javier Colina to score the winning runs.

The Bears tied the game in the top half of the eighth inning on an RBI single by left-fielder Marcus Nettles that scored right-fielder Jose Herrera.  Ducks’ starter Randy Leek retired one batter in the inning and then was pulled when Herrera reached on an error.  Leek went seven and one-third innings, allowing one unearned run on just two hits and one walk, striking out seven.  Eventual winner Joe Valentine (3-1) came on in relief and allowed a single to third baseman Pat Peavey that put Herrera in scoring position.

The Ducks got on the board in the bottom of the third when designated hitter Norm Hutchins scored on a sacrifice-fly by Offerman.  Hutchins led off the inning with a double to centerfield.

Bears’ starter Jose Garcia pitched seven innings, giving up one run on five hits and two walks, striking out four.  Reliever Edwin Almonte (1-4) took the loss for the Bears.

The Bears and Ducks will play game two of the three-game series on Saturday night with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 PM.  Left-hander Jeriome Robertson (3-2) will make his first start for the Bears since returning to the team.  He will be opposed by Long Island southpaw John Halama (7-6).

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Ed Clinton

Newark Bears Professional Baseball Club

www.newarkbears.com

1-866-55-4BEAR