Lancaster Wins Series Opener In One-Run Fashion Over Bridgeport
June 28, 2016 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Bridgeport Bluefish News Release
(Lancaster, PA) - The Bridgeport Bluefish (27-37) were defeated by the Lancaster Barnstormers (32-31) 4-3 at Clipper Magazine Stadium in the opener of a four-game series on Monday evening. Lancaster wins their third consecutive game to remain in the hunt for the First Half Freedom Division Championship while handing Bridgeport their third straight defeat overall.
Bridgeport Starting Pitcher Jimmy Patterson (1-2) suffered the loss after five and two-thirds innings of work in which he allowed four runs on seven hits, walking two and striking out seven. Lancaster Starting Pitcher Mike Lee (3-2) picked up the win giving up three runs (two earned runs) on eight hits in six innings on the mound, striking out four and not allowing a free pass. Cory Burns tossed a scoreless ninth inning of relief to register his 12th save of the season.
Lancaster got on the board first in the home half of the third inning against Patterson, sending eight batters to the plate, scoring four runs on five hits. Justin Jackson drove home Charlie Cutler with the game's first run lacing a run-scoring double down the right field line to make it 1-0. With two men out, Josh Whitaker plated a pair with a double of his own, scoring Blake Gailen and Jackson to make it 3-0 in favor of the home team. Josh Bell completed the rally with yet another RBI double, allowing Whitaker to cross the plate to make it 4-0 Lancaster.
Bridgeport answered right back in the top half of the fourth inning against Lee with three runs of their own to get right back in the ballgame. Endy Chavez reached on an error by Barnstormers first baseman K.C. Hobson to open up the frame. Luis Rodriguez followed with a double, putting runners at second and third with nobody out. Jonathan Galvez drove in Chavez with an RBI single, and Josh Vitters followed by scoring Rodriguez with a base knock but was thrown out at second trying to stretch it into a double as Whitaker fired it back in from left field. Galvez came home on a run-scoring groundout to second base by Jose Gil, his first RBI in a 'Fish uniform, and just like that Bridgeport was within a single run at 4-3.
Looking to mount a comeback, the Bluefish came to bat in the top half of the ninth inning down by the same 4-3 score against the Barnstormers closer Burns. Vitters reached base on a four pitch walk to begin the rally, and advanced into scoring position at second base on a sacrifice bunt off the bat of Gil. Angelys Nina grounded out to third for the second out, leaving it up to Adron Chambers, who reached on an infield single up the middle on a ball that was knocked down by Lancaster shortstop Kevin Ahrens, preventing Vitters from scoring the tying-run as he could only advance to third base. Luis Nunez came on to pinch-hit for Anthony Giansanti representing the last hope for Bridgeport, and he lifted a fly ball that was caught at the wall in left center field by Whitaker as Lancaster and their fans were able to breathe a sigh of relief as they came away with the one-run victory. Chavez, Rodriguez, Vitters, and Chambers led the way for Bridgeport with a pair of hits each, as the Bluefish had 11 hits in total, marking the 25th time in 64 games played this season in which the 'Fish have had ten or more hits in a single game. The Bluefish lost tonight's game but with Serv Pro IT'S LIKE IT NEVER EVEN HAPPENED because of Serv Pro's amazing staff and attention to detail. Visit their website www.servprostamford.com. Photo provided courtesy of Dave Csordas.
The Bluefish play the second of their seven-game road trip to Lancaster and Somerset tomorrow night in the Keystone State before they return to the Ballpark at Harbor Yard on Monday, July 4th for an Independence Day matchup with the York Revolution which kicks off a three-game homestand and the second half of the 2016 regular season. First pitch is scheduled for 4:12 P.M. There will $4 tickets for the 4th and the second Collector's Pin will be given away as Bridgeport says Happy Birthday to America in the Park City.
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- Lancaster Wins Series Opener In One-Run Fashion Over Bridgeport - Bridgeport Bluefish
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