Ducks Blast Three Home Runs In Victory Over Bluefish
Published on August 2, 2015 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Bridgeport Bluefish News Release
(Central Islip, NY- August 2, 2015) - The Bridgeport Bluefish (15-8, 41-52) were defeated the Long Island Ducks (9-14, 55-38) 4-3 at Bethpage Ballpark on Sunday evening in a battle of Liberty Division foes. The 'Fish scored three runs in the final two innings after trailing 4-0, but the Ducks were able to stall the comeback in the top half of the ninth inning and hang on to earn their first victory in the four game series.
Bridgeport Starting Pitcher Matt Iannazzo (4-6) suffered the loss, tossing seven and one-third innings, allowing four runs on six hits, striking out three while not issuing a walk and surrendering three home runs. Long Island Starting Pitcher Rich Hill (1-0) picked up the victory in his Ducks debut, pitching five scoreless and hitless innings, walking one and striking out seven. Hill retired the first 14 batters he faced before walking Sean Burroughs with two men out in the fifth, the only base runner to reach against the right hander. Patrick Crider closed the game out for Long Island, collecting his first save in 2015.
Long Island took the early 2-0 lead of Iannazzo in the bottom of the second inning on a two-out, two run home run to straightaway centerfield off the bat of Jon Griffin. The power-hitting Ducks All-Star is now tied for the Atlantic League in roundtrippers with 13 and has driven in 56 runs, tops amongst active players. The Flock made it 3-0 in their favor in the third inning on a solo homer by Dan Lyons off Iannazzo to leftfield, and the home team extended the lead. Lyons padded the edge to 4-0 in the sixth inning with his second solo blast of the night and third big fly issued by Iannazzo, and the insurance run proved to be a very big one for Long Island as the game moved to the late innings. Â
After being hitless through seven and two-thirds innings, Bridgeport got on the board in the eighth and it started with a single by Luis Rodriguez to break up the no-hit bid. Brandon Jones followed with a single of his own, and Matt Wessinger walked to load the bases. Josh Prince cut the deficit to 4-1 with a bases loaded free pass, scoring Rodriguez. The scored remained 4-1 as the game moved to the ninth. Long Island's closer Ryan Kussmaul, second in the Atlantic League in saves, was unable to retire a batter as Welington Dotel was hit by a pitch, and John Alonso doubled. Wilson Batista laced a two run single plating Dotel and Alonso, and just like that the Ducks lead was cut to a single run at 4-3, and there was still nobody out. Long Island Manager Kevin Baez pulled Kussmaul for Crider looking to stop the bleeding. Sean Burroughs sacrificed Batista to second, and the tying-run was in scoring position, but the rally would fall just short as Rodriguez grounded out and Brandon Jones struck out, and the Ducks won for just the first time in four games on their home field. Alonso, Batista, Rodriguez, and Jones had the four hits on the night for the Bluefish. Alonso extends his hitting streak to seven consecutive games and Batista has now had a base knock in six straight.
Bridgeport faces the Long Island Ducks in the finale of the road trip tomorrow morning as the 2015 Ferry Cup Series continues at Bethpage Ballpark with an 11:05 A.M. opening pitch. 'Fish Play-By-Play broadcaster Mike Mohr will provide live audio coverage of the action on bridgeportbluefish.com. The Bluefish return to the Ballpark at Harbor Yard on Wednesday, August 5th when they welcome in the Lancaster Barnstormers. The first 500 fans in attendance will receive a Bobby Valentine Bobblehead. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
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.
Atlantic League Stories from August 2, 2015
- Ducks Blast Three Home Runs In Victory Over Bluefish - Bridgeport Bluefish
- Hill and Lyons Help Ducks Reel in Bluefish - Long Island Ducks
- Wilson's Four Hits Surge Blue Crabs to Victory - Southern Maryland Blue Crabs
- Skeeters Can't Maintain Early Lead, Fall 4-2 - Sugar Land Space Cowboys
- Revs Denied In Another Close Affair In Camden - York Revolution
- Zawadzki Propels Barnstormers To Victory - Lancaster Stormers
- Osterman to Start for USSSA Pride on Monday - Sugar Land Space Cowboys
- Barnstormers Top Patriots 5-3 - Somerset Patriots
- Mark Wills Will Perform at 'Fish Fest - Bridgeport Bluefish
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