Bluefish Complete Ninth Inning Rally To Stun Ducks
Published on September 2, 2015 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Bridgeport Bluefish News Release
(Central Islip, NY- September 1, 2015) - The Bridgeport Bluefish (27-24, 53-68) defeated the Long Island Ducks (26-25, 72-49) 9-8 at Bethpage Ballpark in Central Islip, New York on Tuesday evening to take the opener of a three-game series between Liberty Division foes. The Bluefish registered their 17th come from behind victory as they were trailing in the ballgame 8-7 with one man out in the top half of the ninth inning before staging the dramatic rally leaving fans of the flock in shock and disbelief.
Bridgeport Starting Pitcher David Anderson picked up a no-decision after five innings of work, surrendering five runs (three earned runs) on eight hits, walking one and striking out three. Long Island Starting Pitcher Ian Marshall also did not factor in the game's final outcome, lasting four innings, allowing four runs on seven hits, walking two, striking out two, and throwing a wild pitch. Erik Draxton (3-1) retired all five batters he faced out of the bullpen to earn the victory. Amalio Diaz (1-3) blew the save and was tagged with the loss allowing two runs on three hits while walking a batter in his one inning of work. All-Star Patrick Mincey fired a scoreless bottom of the ninth inning for his team leading 23rd save.
The Bluefish took the early 2-0 lead in the second inning off Marshall on an RBI double by Wilson Batista and a run-scoring single by Jobduan Morales, part of three consecutive hits by the 'Fish to open up the frame. The Ducks scored their first run of the night off Anderson in the third on an RBI base knock by Delta Cleary, Jr. to cut the deficit to 2-1. Long Island pushed two more runs across in the home half of the fourth to grab their first lead of the night at 3-2 on an RBI single by Cody Puckett and a throwing error by Josh Prince.
Bridgeport responded with a five-run fifth to take a 7-3 cushion, highlighted by an RBI double off the bat of Morales and a throwing error by Puckett that plated two more insurance runs. The Ducks answered right back in the bottom of the fifth with two of their own to cut the deficit in half at 7-5 on an error by Batista and a run-scoring double play by Randy Ruiz. The flock posted three more runs in the seventh off 'Fish reliever Sam Gervacio to regain the lead at 8-7 on an RBI triple by Dan Lyons, a run-scoring double by Ruiz and an RBI base-knock by former Bluefish Sean Burroughs.
Long Island manager Kevin Baez went to his closer Diaz in the ninth to try and finish the game out, but Bridgeport had other ideas. Prince led off with a single right back through the trademark, and the tying-run was aboard. Welington Dotel then sacrificed Prince into scoring position, and Andres Rodriguez tied the game up yet again this time at eight apiece with an opposite-field RBI two-base hit. Rodriguez would score the eventual game-winning run on a passed ball allowed by Ducks backstop Mike Blanke, and the comeback was complete. Mincey induced his former teammate Burroughs to ground out to Prince at second to end the game as he was representing the winning run, and the Bluefish had one of their most impressive victories of the 2015 campaign as they cotinine the push for their first post-season appearance since 2011. Andres Rodriguez and Morales led the offensive attack for Bridgeport with three hits each.
Bridgeport continues the series with their cross-sound rival Long Island Ducks on Wednesday night. The Bluefish return to the Ballpark at Harbor Yard on Tuesday, September 8th when they welcome in the Sugar Land Skeeters for a three-game midweek series. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Come out to watch a Grandma Beauty Pageant in honor of Silver Sluggers Program. The first 500 fans in attendance will receive a Bluefish Alternate Logo Collector's Pin.
The Bridgeport Bluefish are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard. For further information, call 203-210-BLUE (2583) or visit BridgeportBluefish.com.
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