Bluefish Set Franchise Record in Wins

Published on September 13, 2010 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Bridgeport Bluefish News Release


(Bridgeport, CT -- September 13, 2010) - The 2010 season was one of the most memorable in the history of Bridgeport Bluefish baseball. A series of records have been shattered while others are on the verge of being broken.

One of the biggest accomplishments for the Bluefish was to set the mark for most victories in a season by any Bridgeport franchise in the Atlantic League. The 79th win came on Friday during a wild game which had multiple personalities, similar to the characters that make up the 2010 Bluefish. Bridgeport led 9-0 after five innings, and had a 15-8 advantage going into the top of ninth, before Somerset scored six runs and nearly finished the comeback.

If the record has taught the players anything, the Bluefish should expect to work hard for everything that team earns. It has been a difficult ride from where the team was in 2009 to where Bridgeport is in 2010.

"You are always challenging yourself as a baseball player," said MVP candidate Steve Moss. "It is a game that tests your will. You cannot just put it into cruise control and expect to have success. You have to keep going."

There were some players who had an idea about picking up the franchise victory but Moss was not one of them.

"I have heard guys talking about it (the record)," mentioned Moss. "So many numbers are brought up towards the end of the season. Magic numbers, how many it takes to win a division. We are proud about what we are doing but we are not done."

Some of the players' focus on winning is so deep that they are unaware of some of the records that have been set. Reliever, Chris Rivera, was unaware about passing local legend, Mike Guilfoyle, for appearing in the most games in a season in Bluefish history.

"I had no idea. I just found out the day I set a record. It is nothing that I did. It's Willie calling me in and having faith in me and putting me in that much."

Manager, Willie Upshaw, will only put players in the game that he trusts to do the job. Rivera was not the only one who Upshaw put his faith in. Former Major League pitchers, Antonio Alfonseca and Jorge Julio, were on pace to pass Guilfoyle's mark of 57 games as well. Combine the two veteran pitchers, with a rising star in Rivera, and the Bluefish bullpen was nearly unflappable throughout the season.

If Bridgeport had not signed Rivera, the reliever would not have pitched in 2010. To begin the year, the sidewinder produced 21.2 innings of scoreless baseball. That mark was surpassed by Miguel Saladin who owns the record for consecutive scoreless frames at 23.2 innings. Rivera knows that as successful as he was at one point this season, baseball can turn your confidence upside down.

"You get lucky," said Rivera. "You know in baseball it is full of peaks and valleys. I was peaking at a good time."

The Bluefish have not yet clinched the Liberty Division's second Half title; however, both Rivera and Moss agree that, since the Bluefish are in the postseason, the team is in it to get the ring.

"I definitely want to win a championship," explained Rivera. "I have never been to the playoffs in my professional career, but it would be great if we can get to the playoffs and win a championship."

"Our goal is to win the whole thing," told Moss. "Everyone wants to finish strong and carry this out into the postseason. We know how to win."

On Sunday, Moss extended his on-base streak to 39 consecutive games, which is currently the second highest total this season.

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Atlantic League Stories from September 13, 2010


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