Rockers Throttle Ducks, 7-1

CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. – The High Point Rockers got back on the winning track with a 7-1 win over the Long Island Ducks on Saturday night at Fairfield Properties Ballpark. Jerry Downs blasted a three-run homer in the fourth inning and starting pitcher Jheyson Manzueta struck out six in his six innings to highlight the Rockers’ winning effort.

Jheyson Manzueta

Downs’ homer, his third of the year, erased an early 1-0 deficit and put High Point on top 3-1. Long Island had scored the first run of the game in the second when Deibinson Romero doubled to left, moved to third on a ground out by Joe DeCarlo and then scored on a wild pitch by Manzueta.

Downs’ homer scored Zander Wiel and Logan Morrison ahead of him. Wiel had walked and Morrison had singled.

High Point added two more runs in the sixth when Quincy Latimore singled and Ben Aklinski doubled to put runners at second and third. Mike Gulino then grounded a ball that went under the glove of Ducks’ shortstop Deven Marrero and allowed Aklinski and Latimore score to put the Rockers up 5-1.

The Rockers posted another crooked number in the eighth in extending their lead to 7-1. Gulino’s sacrifice fly plated Latimore, and Downs, who had reached on a walk, would come around to score on a passed ball.

Manzueta (1-1) went six innings, allowing just four hits while not issuing a walk and recording six strikeouts. Ryan Dull struck out the side in the seventh before Adam Choplick pitched a perfect eighth inning and Bryce Hensley did the same in the ninth. Long Island’s Akeel Morris (0-1) took the loss.

The Rockers and Ducks will conclude their three-game series on Sunday at 1:35 p.m. at Fairfield Properties Ballpark. The Rockers will start a six-game series at home on Tuesday, May 17 against the Lexington Legends at 6:35 p.m. at Truist Point.