Sean Burroughs hopes to give Ducks offensive boost

After losing both Lew Ford and Reegie Corona, two of the Ducks' best hitters, to other leagues at the beginning of the second half, the team needed an offensive infusion. Enter Sean Burroughs.

The former major league third baseman was acquired from the Bridgeport Bluefish in exchange for outfielder and Shoreham-native Bryan Sabatella Monday.

Burroughs, who played seven seasons with the Padres, Rays, Diamondbacks and Twins, hit .321 with 27 RBIs and three home runs in 53 games (190 at-bats) with Bridgeport this season. In his first five games with the Ducks, he hit .250 with a home run, three RBIs, and five strikeouts in 20 at-bats.

Burroughs, 34, hit .278 with 12 home runs and 143 RBIs in his major league career. As a little leaguer, he won back-to-back World Series in 1992 and 1993. He is the only U.S. player to throw back-to-back no hitters in the Little League World Series.

The Ducks have six games left with Bridgeport, Burroughs' former team.

The Ducks entered Saturday night's game with Southern Maryland on a four-game winning streak, three games back of the Somerset Patriots in the Liberty Division second half standings and 13 games in front of the Lancaster Barnstormers for the wild-card lead.

What was your thought about being traded?

"I was kind of shocked. I hadn't heard the idea or possibility of it at all up to that point. It was the first time I've ever been traded (during the season). It's different. I've been in Bridgeport a couple of years, so I got to know my teammates and the people in the front office really well. In that regard, it was tough for a little bit. But, I knew I was coming to a great team, a great ballpark here on Long Island, a great front office, great support, and a great bunch of guys in the clubhouse. I was actually really excited to get out of there, get over here, and see what was going on."

The Ducks lost two big bats. Can you help fill that void?

"You never want to ask someone to do that. You know how someone plays historically, what they can and can't do, how they are as a hitter, and how they are on defense. For pitchers, you're not going to ask a control guy to come in and throw 96 mph. I'm not going to try and fill anyone's shoes. I'm going to try to fill my own shoes, go out there, try and play as hard as I can, and do my best. That's all I can do. You can't replace guys like Reegie [Corona] and Lew [Ford]. Those guys are exceptional ballplayers.''

Are you excited to be in a pennant race, chasing Bridgeport?

"Yeah. I think if anyone ever gets traded from here to there, you always circle the dates of when you're going to play that team that traded you away and focus a little harder, play a little harder, and try to win that ballgame. We try to win every game, but I think we get a little extra incentive to go out and win those six left with them."

Next up: Southern Maryland at Ducks, 5:05 p.m. Former Duck Ray Navarrete's number will be retired.