Hage and Santora Star as Bears Start 2-0
Published on May 2, 2003 under Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Newark Bears News Release
NEWARK, N.J. -- First baseman Tom Hage went 5-for-5 with two RBI's and two runs scored and second baseman Jack Santora went 4-for-6 as the Newark Bears downed the visiting Bridgeport Bluefish 12-6 in Atlantic League action to open the 2003 campaign with two straight wins, making the first time in franchise history a Bear squad has won its first two contests. Former Major League 21-game winner Jose Lima went six innings, yielding six hits and two earned runs to collect the win while Rickey Henderson was 3-for-5 with a triple. Newark pounded out a team single-game record 19 hits while Hage is just the sixth Bear to ever connect for five hits.
Newark started well scoring three times in the first inning and putting four runs on the scoreboard in the third. Wil Quintana doubled home Rickey Henderson to open the scoring with Danny Clyburn singling to right to plate Santora. One batter later, Tom Hage singled in Clyburn. In the home third, Hage led off with a double and scored one batter later as Al Benjamin doubled to right field. Bryan Britt continued Newark's offensive onslaught, driving home Benjamin with a single. With the bases loaded, Henderson grounded to shortstop, allowing Britt to come home. Santora then continued his tear, singling to right field to score Jay LaFlair. Bridgeport scored three runs of its own in the three-inning stretch, scoring twice in the second on a solo home run by Ben Candelaria and a RBI double by Rodney Lindsey and on a Willis Otanez single to left in the third. The score remained 7-3 until the top of the sixth as Bridgeport inched closer to the defending champs on Canderlaria's second home run of the night. The Bears' bats remained hot in the bottom of the frame, as the home team scored twice Hage and Paul Esposito crossed home plate. Newark scored again in the seventh on Hage's single to right field to give his team 10-4 advantage. Newark tacked on two more runs in its final turn at bat as did the Bluefish.
Mark Brownson absorbed the loss for Bridgeport as the the Bluefish made three errors to the Bears two. Bridgeport stranded three runners while the Bears left 12 men on.
The Bears and Bluefish continue their season-opening four-game set tomorrow evening at 6:05 with Newark's Steve Gagliano opposing Bluefish hurler Masaru Imazeki. Fans should remain in their seats at the conclusion of the contest as there will be a Fireworks Extravaganza. Call (973) 483-6900 or log onto NewarkBears.com for more information.
Canadian American League Stories from May 2, 2003
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