Bluefish Beat Rickey Henderson and the Bears
June 17, 2003 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Bridgeport Bluefish News Release
(Bridgeport, Conn., June 17, 2003) â The Bridgeport Bluefish defeated the Newark Bears by a score of 4-2 Tuesday evening before 3,978 fans at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard. The game marked the first appearance of future hall of famer Rickey Henderson in Connecticut.
In the top of the third with two outs Henderson got the first hit of the game, a line drive to centerfield. The Bluefish got their first hit of the night when Tony Rodriguez singled to left-center, ending eight straight betters retired by Bear's Wagner.
Both teams pitcher were very impressive with neither giving up a run through the five innings. Both Wagner and Cornett were pitching strong games, as well as some outstanding defense of plays behind them. Through the first five innings they gave up a total of just five hits (3-Bears, 2-Bluefish).
In the bottom of the sixth the Bluefish got it going with Rolo Avila getting hit by a pitch and an infield single by Jose Amado, making it first and second with one out. Jose Offerman hit a ground ball to first base, but an error on Francisco Lebron maded it base loaded with one out. That brought up Oreste Marrero, who hit a 1-0 pitch to deep right field for a grand slam, making the score 4-0.
The seventh inning saw a new pitcher for the Bears, as starting pitcher Matt Wagner went 6 innings, giving up five hits, four runs, one walk and six strike outs in the loss. The Bluefish sent in relief pitcher Bobby Chouinard in the top of the eight to replace Brad Cornett. Cornett went 7 innings, giving up four hits, no runs, three walks and four strike outs for his third win of the season.
On Henderson's (2-4, one stolen bases) second hit of the night, he was brought home on a double by Michael Coleman for the Bears first run of the night. They did not stop there, as Danny Clyburn hit a single to left scoring Coleman to make it 4-2. Bluefish relief pitcher Bobby Chouinard was taken out and replaced by left-hander Mike Guilfoyle to try to retire the Bears in the top of the eight. Guilfoyle struck out Wil Quintana for the second out of the inning, but gave up an infield single to Pete Maestrales to make the bases loaded. Guilfoyle then struck out pitch hitter Jay LaFair looking to end the eight innings, with a score of 4-2.
In the top of the ninth inning Mike Guilfoyle recorded his 12th save of the season and finished of the Bears 4-2.
On Wednesday the Bridgeport Bluefish will continue to face Rickey Henderson and the Newark Bears with a 6:35 p.m. start. LHP Alex Lontayo (4-3, 4.40) will take the mound for the Bluefish opposing Newark's RHP Alberto Castillo (2-0, 2.29).
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Atlantic League Stories from June 17, 2003
- Two runs not enough for Long Island - Long Island Ducks
- Bluefish Beat Rickey Henderson and the Bears - Bridgeport Bluefish
- The week to come to Harbor Yard - Bridgeport Bluefish
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