Bluefish Power Way To Victory In Opener Against Barnstormers
Published on August 5, 2015 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Bridgeport Bluefish News Release
(Bridgeport, CT- August 5, 2015) - The Bridgeport Bluefish (16-9, 42-53) defeated the defending Atlantic League Champion Lancaster Barnstormers (16-9, 44-51) 6-2 in the opener of a four game series at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard on Wednesday night. The 'Fish remain in sole possession of First Place in the Second Half Liberty Division Standings, extending their lead to one full game over the Somerset Patriots, who were idle. Bridgeport has now won four consecutive games in front of their home faithful.
Bridgeport Starting Pitcher D.J. Mitchell (6-7) picked up the victory, tossing seven scoreless innings, allowing just five hits, walking two, striking out nine while throwing two wild pitches. Lancaster Starting Pitcher Shunsuke Watanabe (5-4) suffered the loss, lasting just three and two-thirds innings, giving up five runs on seven hits, walking three, striking out three, and surrendering two home runs.
Bridgeport took the early 2-0 lead off Watanabe in the bottom half of the first inning on a two-out, two run home run to right off the bat of former Barnstormer Wilson Batista. The switch-hitting infielder now has two homers and 11 driven home as a member of the 'Fish. The home team put up single runs in the second through fourth innings all again off Watanabe for the 5-0 cushion. Ethan Chapman drove home Wes Wallace in the second, who was making his Bridgeport debut. Welington Dotel launched a leadoff solo home run to open up the bottom of the third inning, and Bryant Nelson plated Matt Wessinger with a fielder's choice in the fourth.
The comfortable edge was more than enough for Mitchell, who closed out his dominant night by inducing Zach Collier to ground out to first to end the seventh, stranding Lance Zawadzki at third base. The Liberty Division's Starting Pitcher in the 2015 Atlantic League All-Star Game which took place last month at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard registered his ninth quality start in 18 trips to the mound this season, tops on the Bluefish pitching staff. Mitchell faced 28 batters, throwing 18 first-pitch strikes while having pinpoint control painting both sides of the plate all evening long. The trio of Mitchell, Erik Draxton, and Eric Niesen struck out 14 Barnstormers batters, matching a season-high for the pitching staff, last set on July 25th in a 3-2 victory over the Long Island Ducks during the previous homestand. Dotel led the offensive attack for the 'Fish with four of their 13 hits overall.
Bridgeport continues their series with the Lancaster Barnstormers at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard on Thursday, August 6th. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. The first 500 fans in attendance will receive a Turbulence Rally Time T-Shirt, and the Bluefish will be installing a mechanical bull for fans to ride in the Two Roads Beer Garden.
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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