Bluefish ousted by Newark
August 19, 2008 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Bridgeport Bluefish News Release
Bridgeport, CT - August 19th - Two of the most prolific offenses in the Atlantic League found themselves in a low-scoring duel on Tuesday as the Newark Bears defeated the Bridgeport Bluefish 4-3. Newark's three-run fourth inning propelled them to victory as their pitchers kept the Bluefish offense at bay. Bridgeport drops back to 17-20 in the second half with the loss.
Bluefish starter Mike Connolly (2-2) looked solid through his seven innings of work outside of a fourth inning in which he lost his command. The southpaw walked three batters in the inning, including Scott Knazek with the bases loaded to push in the go-ahead run. The run-scoring walk and a pair of RBI singles by Manny Mejia and Vic Gutierrez gave Newark a 4-2 edge. Gutierrez also doubled in the ninth inning as he finished three-for-five.
The first three Bridgeport hitters of the game reached safely on two walks and a Jay Caligiuri single. Only one run crossed on a Ryan Bear sacrifice fly as the Bluefish stranded two runners on base. Bridgeport scored their second run in the following inning on a Travis Ezi sacrifice fly that scored Wilson Batista.
Bridgeport threatened in the ninth inning with runners at second and third with one out. Alex Prieto dropped a single into right to score Batista and almost brought in the tying run but right fielder Jose Herrera gunned down Branden Florence at the plate. A sliding catch by center fielder Keith Reed on a sinking line drive by Caligiuri ended the game and the Bluefish threat.
Newark starter Frank Rodriguez (2-1) picked up the victory in his five frames. Rodriguez allowed two 'Fish runs on just two hits and two walks with one strikeout. Connolly struck out five and gave up all four Newark runs on eight hits and four walks.
Bridgeport looks to rebound tomorrow in the rubber match of the three-game set. Tommy John will send Matt Sweeney (2-6) to the hill to face his former Newark teammates for the first time this season. Jose Garcia will start for the Bears in the 7:05 P.M. series finale.
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