Bluefish Fall To Skeeters On Opening Night
April 22, 2016 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Bridgeport Bluefish News Release
(Sugar Land, TX) - The Bridgeport Bluefish (0-1) were defeated by the Sugar Land Skeeters (1-0) 4-1 at Constellation Field in the opening game of the 2016 Atlantic League of Professional Baseball Season on Thursday night. In 42 all-time games now played in the Lone Star State by the Bluefish against the Skeeters, Bridgeport has an overall record of 10-32.
Bridgeport Starting Pitcher Mike Antonini (0-1) was tagged with the loss, tossing four and two-thirds innings, surrendering three runs (one earned run) on just two hits, walking four, striking out three, and allowing one home run. Sugar Land Starting Pitcher Sean Gallagher (1-0) picked up the win, firing five scoreless innings, allowing three hits, walking two while striking out one. Gallagher's defense helped him out as well, turning two double plays in the first three innings, both coming off the bat of Endy Chavez. Derrick Loop closed out the ninth inning to notch his first save of the 2016 campaign.
Sugar Land took an early 1-0 lead off Antonini in the bottom half of the fourth inning on a solo home run belted over the wall in left center field by Jeff Dominguez. Dominguez was not finished there, picking up his second extra base hit in as many at bats in the fifth inning with a two-run double off Bridgeport reliever Taylor Thompson coming with two outs, giving the home team the extra breathing room they were looking for by way of a pair of insurance runs.
Bridgeport cut the deficit to 3-1 in the top half of the seventh inning on a solo home run by Josh Vitters right down the left field line off Skeeters relief pitcher Roy Merritt. Vitters had a very impressive debut for the 'Fish with a pair of hits in the defeat. Sugar Land regained a three run lead at 4-1 in their half of the seventh on a sacrifice fly by Wilfredo Rodriguez, plating Beamer Weems who led off the frame with a double. The Skeeters bullpen took care of the rest, with the trio of Merritt, Zech Zinicola, and Loop retiring eight of the final nine Bluefish batters they faced to send the hometown faithful home with smiles on their faces to open up the 140 game regular season. Vitters, Ruben Sosa Jr. and Wilkin Ramirez led the offensive attack for Bridgeport with a pair of hits each.
Bridgeport returns home for the first time in the 2016 regular season following their seven game road trip on Thursday, April 28th when they host the newest member of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and in-state rival the New Britain Bees at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard. First pitch on Opening Night is scheduled for 7:12. All fans in attendance will receive schedule posters courtesy of CDOT and the game will be followed by a 3D fireworks display presented by Family Vision Centers.
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