Bluefish fall in extra innings to close out series with Somerset
May 20, 2016 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Bridgeport Bluefish News Release
(Bridgeport, CT) - The Bridgeport Bluefish (9-18) were defeated by the Somerset Patriots (19-8) 5-4 Thursday at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard, in an evening matchup that went into the eleventh inning. The loss evens the series between the two Liberty Division teams, in a contest that involved 10 different pitchers.
Bridgeport's Carlos Ruiz (0-1) was tagged with his first loss of the season, after giving up the lead run in the top of the eleventh as part of his two innings on the mound. The win went to Somerset's Jeremy McBryde (2-0). Mike Thomas picked up his first save of the season for the Patriots, striking out one in his lone inning on the mound.
After the 'Fish put runners on first and second with two outs in the bottom of the first, Josh Vitters got things started on the scoreboard by blasting a ball over the left field wall, sparking an early three run lead for Bridgeport. A solid half inning in the top of the second for Bluefish starter R.J. Hively who struck out all three batters. This was followed by the Bluefish loading up the bases in the bottom of the second with two outs for the third some in the series, this time failing to send anyone home. Somerset got on the board in the top of the third with an RBI-single by Aharon Eggleston that drove just one run home, as the 'Fish halted a bases loaded effort with two outs. Bridgeport would continue their defensive stand by stranding two Patriots batters in the top of the fifth and stopping Eric Farris at home plate, as Luis Domoromo completed a strong throw to Rossmel Perez to beat the runner.
Somerset would knot the game up at three one inning later, after Brian Moran had two runs reach home under his watch with two outs in relief of Hively, who would throw his second longest game of the season thus far, lasting five and two thirds innings. Back-and-forth action over the next two and a half innings would be highlighted by bullpen action for each teams, with Gus Schlosser and Jon Hunton each spending an inning on the mound for the Patriots, and Scott Shuman allowing three hits in two innings of action. It was Eric Niesen who would allow the go ahead run for Somerset, as Brad Snyder batted in Eric Farris with two outs in the top of the ninth for his first hit of the game. Luis Nunez was the cause of a rare blown save by Hunton, as he took a ball deep to left field in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game at four and take the game into the tenth. The Bluefish were able to take the game into the bottom of the inning with no damage done, following a 6-4-3 double play by Luis Hernandez. The game winner for the Patriots came in the top of the eleventh inning from Vinny Zarrillo, who hit and RBI-single to left field to send Bryan LaHair across home plate. The game ended when Perez was tagged out at home in the bottom of the inning, after attempting to tie the game up from first base on a single down the right field line by Luis Hernandez. Nunez led the offensive attack for Bridgeport with three of their twelve overall hits.
The Bluefish will now hit the road for two road series', as they head down to the Lone Star State to face the Sugar Land Skeeters in a three game weekend series, before returning to the north for the second stint in the Ferry Cup when they visit the Long Island Ducks. The 'Fish will then return home for the first of a seven game homestand when they face the Southern Maryland Blue Craps on May 27 at 7:12 P.M. in the first of a four game series. It will be LGBTQ night, and the second baseball card giveaway of the season will take place.
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Atlantic League Stories from May 20, 2016
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- Preview - Bees Return Home to Take on Revolution Tonight - New Britain Bees
- Bluefish fall in extra innings to close out series with Somerset - Bridgeport Bluefish
- Ducks Offense Too Much for Skeeters - Long Island Ducks
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