Dotel Extends Hitting Streak
August 29, 2015 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Bridgeport Bluefish News Release
(Bridgeport, CT) - The Bridgeport Bluefish (25-23, 51-67) were defeated by the Lancaster Barnstormers (30-18, 58-60) 7-6 at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard on Friday night and have now taken the first two of the four-game series between first-place ballclubs. The Barnstormers improve to 11-2 this season against the Bluefish, and are 29-4 in the last 33 games against Bridgeport in the last two years.
Bridgeport Starting Pitcher Matt Iannazzo (5-9) was tagged with the loss, tossing five innings, allowing six runs on seven hits, striking out three and not walking a batter. Lancaster Starting Pitcher Joe Gardner (8-4) picked up the win, going six innings, surrendering five runs (four earned runs) on eight hits, walking three, striking out four and hitting one batter. Marcus Walden closed the game out to earn his eighth save of the season.
Bridgeport pushed across three runs in the home half of the first inning off Gardner. All-Star Bryan Sabatella led off the frame with a walk, extending his on-base streak to 21 consecutive games, and would later score the game's first run on a throwing error by Kent Matthes off a ground ball hit by Andres Rodriguez. All-Stars John Alonso and Jobduan Morales followed with back-to-back run-scoring singles, plating Rodriguez and Josh Prince, and the 'Fish had the early 3-0 edge. Prince was on board after being hit by a pitch, and later would have to be removed from the ballgame. Lancaster would score their first run of the night off Iannazzo in the top of third inning on an RBI groundout by Juan Apodaca, driving in Yusuke Kajimoto who reached on an opposite field triple to right, cutting Bridgeport's lead to 3-1.
The Barnstormers would send nine men to the plate for the third time in the series in the top of the fourth, scoring five runs on six hits to take their first lead of the night 6-3. The two big hits were consecutive run-scoring triples by Kajimoto and Apodaca as Lancaster compiled six straight hits, three for extra bases (a double and two triples), and now enjoyed a three-run lead. The Bluefish got two runs back in the fourth on RBI base knocks by Ethan Chapman and Matt Burns, scoring Jeudy Valdez and Matt Wessinger, and just like the Barnstormers advantage was shaved to a single run at 6-5.
Lancaster would add to the lead in the eighth with what proved to be a giant-sized insurance run off Sam Gervacio. Brian Cavazos-Galvez was hit by a pitch with one out, and proceeded to steal second and third base, his 22nd and 23rd bags swiped in 2015, fifth most in the Atlantic League. Lance Zawadzki's sacrifice fly gave the visitors a 7-5 cushion. Barnstormers Manager Butch Hobson brought on Walden to close the game out, but the Bluefish would not go down without a fight. All-Star Welington Dotel led off with a single to extend his hitting streak to ten consecutive games, and would later score on the second throwing error of the night by Matthes on a ground ball hit by Morales, and in the blink of an eye the 'Fish had the tying-run in scoring positon and the winning run at the plate. The rally would fall just short as Valdez would ground back to Walden, and the Barnstormers were able to breathe a sigh of relief as they held on for the one-run victory. Burns, Alonso, and Valdez led the way for Bridgeport with a pair of hits each.
Bridgeport continues their series against the reigning Atlantic League of Professional Baseball Champion Lancaster Barnstormers at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard on Saturday, August 29th. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. The Bluefish will be hosting Homerun for Heroes Night, presented by Sikorsky, to benefit the Wounded Warriors Project, along with a special performance by the traveling entertainment phenomenon ZOOperstars, followed by a post-game 3D Fireworks spectacular.
Atlantic League Stories from August 29, 2015
- Four Lancaster Second Inning Runs The Difference - Bridgeport Bluefish
- Revs Kept at Arm's Length as Comeback Bid Is Denied - York Revolution
- Ducks Surge to Victory over Crabs with Big Offensive Night - Long Island Ducks
- Ducks Score in Bunches to Defeat Southern Maryland - Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
- Bullpen Nails Down 5-3 Win - Lancaster Stormers
- Scott's Power Surge Continues as Skeeters Snap Slide - Sugar Land Space Cowboys
- Dotel Extends Hitting Streak - Bridgeport Bluefish
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