Bluefish edge Barnstormers to win fifth straight series
June 23, 2016 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Bridgeport Bluefish News Release
(Bridgeport, CT) - The Bridgeport Bluefish (26-33) defeated the Lancaster Barnstormers (29-29) 7-6 on Wednesday night in the rubber game of a three-game set between the two teams at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard. Bridgeport wins their fifth consecutive series and improves to 4-2 against Lancaster in 2016. The Bluefish have now won 12 of their last 17 games overall and have come away with a victory in seven of their last ten games in the Park City.
Bridgeport Starting Pitcher Jimmy Patterson registered a no-decision in the matchup, giving up six runs (four earned runs) on seven hits, walking two and striking out four and surrendering a home run in five and two thirds innings of work on the mound. Lancaster Starting Pitcher Mike Lee also did not factor into the game's final outcome, giving up six runs on 10 hits in five and one-third innings at the helm, walking and striking out two while allowing two home runs. Paul Demny (2-0) picked up the win for the 'Fish allowing a hit in two-thirds of an inning pitched, striking out a batter and allowing one free pass. Ryan Dennick (3-2) suffered the loss for the Barnstormers, allowing the go-ahead run in a third of an inning on the mound, walking one and giving up a hit. Taylor Thompson earned his team-leading fifth save of the season for Bridgeport, retiring all three batters he faced in the top half of the ninth inning.
The Barnstormers struck first in the top of the fourth inning, as Sean Halton launched a two-run shot over the left centerfield wall, his fifth big fly of the season which gave Lancaster a 2-0 lead. The next half inning was followed up by a breakthrough five run performance for Bridgeport, who sent eight batters to the plate in the frame. Welington Dotel began the scoring spree by propelling a ball over the batter's eye in centerfield for his third home run of the season. Two more runs scored four batters later, as Jose Cuevas and Jonathan Galvez were driven in on an RBI double by Luis Nunez with two outs. Nunez would cross home plate immediately after when Rossmel Perez doubled to give Bridgeport a 4-2 lead. Perez would later score as the inning ended after Anthony Giansanti stayed in a rundown long enough between first and second base on a pickoff attempt to allow Bridgeport's backstop to cross the plate before Giansanti was tagged out and the 'Fish had themselves a 5-2 edge.
Following a back-and-forth fifth inning, the Barnstormers responded in the top of the sixth inning, scoring four runs to regain the lead. Charlie Cutler drove two home with a ground rule double with two outs and the bases loaded, his first hit of the series. The two-bagger moved Lance Zawadzki over to third, bringing up K.C. Hobson. With two strikes, the catcher Perez allowed a passed ball, allowing Zawadzki to score from third and Cutler to move over one base. Cutler himself would score moments later, as Perez misfired the throw to home plate with Brian Moran covering, recording the error and giving Lancaster their second lead of the night at 6-5. Josh Vitters came to the rescue for the Bluefish in the bottom of the sixth inning, blasting a leadoff solo shot to knot the game up at six. Bridgeport would send the game-winning run home an inning later when Luis Hernandez crossed home plate on a controversial fielder's choice hit by Jose Cuevas. The conflict surrounded second base, as Dotel and Zawadzki collided with each other as the Barnstormers second baseman received the throw to the bag from shortstop Kevin Ahrens. Dotel was forced out but there was no return throw to first as Dotel made a clean slide allowing Cuevas to reach, giving the game its final score of 7-6. Dotel led the offensive efforts for Bridgeport with three hits.
The Bluefish now welcome in their cross-sound and Ferry Cup rival Long Island Ducks for a four game series at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard beginning on Thursday, June 23rd. First pitch is set for 7:12 P.M. It will be Olympics Night in the Constitution State, featuring the playing of the Beer Olympics, as well as Throwback Thirsty Thursday, where the Bluefish offer drink specials and take you back to the '90's and beyond.
Atlantic League Stories from June 23, 2016
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- Somerset Patriots' Pitcher Darin Gorski's Contract Purchased by New York Mets - Somerset Patriots
- Atlantic League Reveals All-Star Uinforms - Lancaster Stormers
- Game Tonight vs. Somerset Canceled - Sugar Land Space Cowboys
- Preview - Bees Begin Eight-Game Road Trip Tonight in Lancaster - New Britain Bees
- Bluefish edge Barnstormers to win fifth straight series - Bridgeport Bluefish
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