Bluefish Clinch Playoff Spot; Rivera Sets Appearance Record
September 8, 2010 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Bridgeport Bluefish News Release
Bridgeport, Conn. - For the first time since 2006, the Bridgeport Bluefish (41-18, 77-52) are heading to the postseason. They clinched a playoff spot by defeating the Lancaster Barnstormers (28-29, 59-68) by a score of eleven-to-three in game one of the doubleheader.
Matt Pike (12-5) had a rough start but recovered for the victory. He allowed three runs in six innings while surrendering six hits and two walks. Bartolome Fortunato served a shutout inning to preserve the victory.
Jason Simontacchi (5-7) delivered three-and-two-thirds frames to take the loss as he allowed six earned runs.
Bridgeport gave up three runs in the first inning thanks largely to a two-run jolt by Reggie Taylor. It was his Atlantic League leading 23rd homer.
However, the Bluefish responded with four in the bottom of the frame. Adam Greenberg was hit-by-a-pitch and Tike Redman singled Greenberg to second. After a long fly ball allowed both runners to tag up, Josh Phelps sent a sacrifice fly to center. Luis Lopez doubled in Redman from second base to cut the deficit to one. Victor Mercedes served a single to right to tie the game and advanced to second on a throw home. Hiram Bocachica gave the Bluefish the lead for good with a knock to leftcenter.
Bridgeport pushed across three more in the fifth and one in the sixth to close the scoring. The Bluefish scored eleven unanswered runs.
Lancaster defeated Bridgeport, in the finale, by a count of five-to-three.
Steve Moss extended his consecutive on-base streak to 36 contests with a single in game one and a tying two-run triple in the sixth (of game two) to make the score three-three.
A two-run single by Bryant Nelson, however, in the seventh sealed the fate of the Bluefish. Nelson had four RBI.
Mike Porzio came out of retirement to serve five innings. The former Major League player and Waterbury, Connecticut product gave up three earned runs, six walks and a hit while striking out four. Luis Arroyo (2-3) gave up a run in one-and-a-third frames to suffer the loss. Chris Rivera set the Bluefish franchise record with 58 appearances out of the bullpen. He passed Mike Guilfoyle who set the mark in 2003. Rivera allowed the final run of the contest in two-thirds-of-an-inning.
Tim Hamulack (5-5) surrendered a save opportunity but picked up the win in relief. The hurler gave up three base runners in an-inning-and-two-thirds.
Regular Season and playoff tickets are available at the Box Office, online at www.bridgeportbluefish.com, or by calling (203) 345-4800. Fans can book a luxury suite, group outing, picnic, or birthday party for the postseason by talking to a sales representative at (203) 345-4800. Game three of the playoffs is slated to take place, at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard, on Friday, September 24. If necessary, there will be a game four on Saturday, September 25. All postseason matchups include a 7:05 first pitch with the gates opening at 6:05.
The Bluefish take on the Lancaster Barnstormers in the finale of the three game series on Thursday. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM while the gates open at 6:05.
Fans unable to make it to The Ballpark at Harbor Yard are able to listen to the game live on www.bridgeportbluefish.com. The voice of the Bridgeport Bluefish, Perry Miles, will have the call of the action. Thursday's pre-game show is set for 6:35 PM.
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