Bridgeport Splits Doubleheader with Long Island
Published on June 30, 2014 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Bridgeport Bluefish News Release
(Central Islip, NY. - June 30, 2014) - The Bridgeport Bluefish split the doubleheader against the Long Island Ducks on Monday evening at Bethpage Ballpark, with Bridgeport winning Game One 4-3 and Long Island winning Game Two 10-3.
In Game One, Bridgeport scored all four runs in the contest off one swing of the bat as left fielder Denny Almonte hit a grand slam home run in the top first inning to give Bridgeport a 4-0 lead. The home run was Almonte's sixth home run of the season and the team's first grand slam of the season. Long Island would close the gap throughout the game as designated hitter Randy Ruiz hit an RBI single in the bottom of the first to bring the score to 4-1 and second baseman Cody Puckett hit an RBI single in the bottom of the third inning. That would be all the runs that Bridgeport starting pitcher Matt Iannazzo (2-2) would give up, as he earned the win in five innings pitched, scattering two runs off nine hits and struck out four batters.
Iannazzo gave way to Bridgeport relief pitcher Ryan Harvey in the bottom of the sixth inning with runners on at first and second with no outs. But Harvey would induce Long Island first baseman Joash Brodin into a double play and catcher Keith Castillo to ground out to first. Bridgeport would not score in the top of the seventh inning and in the last scheduled inning of Game One, Harvey loaded the bases with one out after hitting two batters and walking another but would get Ruiz to strike out for the second out of the inning. And after walking third baseman Brendan Harris to force in a run, left fielder Adam Bailey would ground out to end the game, giving Harvey his first save of the season. Rob Whitenack (1-1) picked up the loss for Long Island, giving up four runs on three hits in three innings of work.
In Game Two, Bridgeport again jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first inning as designated hitter J.R. Towles hit a three-run home run, giving the 'Fish a 3-0 lead. But Long Island would not wait long to get back in the game as Ruiz singled home center fielder Fehlandt Lentini in the bottom of the first and after third baseman Brendan Harris singled, Bailey hit a three-run home run to give the Ducks a 4-3 lead. Long Island would score a run in the third inning on Harris's RBI double to take a 5-3 lead and the Ducks would extend the lead to 8-3 in the bottom of the fifth inning before adding two more insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Joe Bateman (0-3) started for Bridgeport in Game Two, giving up five runs off seven hits in three innings pitched while Eric Niesen (2-0) picked up the win in relief for Long Island, tossing two shutout innings after coming in for starter Bob Zimmerman, who lasted just three innings.
Bridgeport will face Long Island for game three of the five game series on Tuesday evening, with first pitch at 7:05pm. The 'Fish return to The Ballpark at Harbor Yard on Monday, July 7th to begin a three-game series against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05pm.
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 the brand new BridgeportBluefish.com.
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