CENTRAL ISLIP, NY - It was a true team effort for the Newark Bears who got a big pitching performance from their bullpen and plenty of runs from their offense. Both sides of the team combined for a 10-4 win over the Long Island Ducks.

Benito Baez was scheduled to pitch for the Bears, however, he has been battling the injury bug. When he came to the ballpark yesterday, he was stiff and sore and not ready to go.

“He threw fine in his bullpen session two days ago,” said manager Wayne Krenchicki. “But then he came to the park yesterday and he was sore all over, so we decided to make it a bullpen-effort for tonight.”

Rich Scalamandre, normally a reliever, got the call to take the mound. It was his first in six years. He filled in admirably, yielding four runs and five hits in four innings of work.

“It was the first time I started since 2002 at Jamaica College,” said Scalamandre. “I just wanted to try and keep us in the game and with our bullpen a little thin right now, I just wanted to go as long as I could.

For the second straight game, Newark struck quickly, scoring two runs in the top of the first inning when Val Majewski knocked in two runs with a sharp single to center. The hit brought in Bobby Hill and Jose Herrera who had reached via walks.

The third inning saw Randall Simon step up to the plate with two outs and the bases loaded. Simon promptly delivered another hard-hit ball up the middle which scored two more runs.

In the fourth, Mike Just reached with a single to lead-off and then proceeded to steal second. Hill brought him in with a single down the right-field line.

The Ducks fought their way back with three runs in the bottom of the fourth to cut the lead to 5-4. The inning was highlighted by a Carl Everett two-run homer. It was an impressive shot that cleared the 400 feet sign in center field.

Cory Willey (5-0) picked up the win when he came on in the fifth and fired three shutout innings, giving up just one hit and issuing one free pass. It was a difficult situation for Willey to be in, but he provided stability in the crucial middle innings that allowed the Bears to keep and extend the lead.

“It was kind of up in the air,” said Willey. “We all knew we were going to get some time tonight, but I didn’t know if it would be a one-inning deal or more. But, on days like this you just have to be ready to throw as many as you can.”

When Willey came on, the Long Island bats went quiet and the Bears went back to work on offense. Aldridge added RBIs in the sixth and eighth innings to move Newark further ahead.

Randall Simon picked up his third RBI of the game on a solo home run in the ninth. They added two more runs for the final margin of 10-4.

J.J. Trujillo finished the final two innings keeping the Ducks scoreless and picking up the save.

“Everyone pitched great tonight,” said manager Wayne Krenchicki. “And again, we swung the bats, put some runs on the board and that’s what its all about, a team effort.”

Notes: Mike Sweeney is scheduled to pitch the final game of a four-game set in Long Island, the Ducks started is TBA. Pitching help is on the way as Franklin Gracesqui is almost ready to go for the Newark Bears. If everything goes to plan, he will be activated Friday. No word yet as to who will be inactive.

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