Late Rally Lifts Southern Maryland Over Bridgeport
July 23, 2015 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Bridgeport Bluefish News Release
(Waldorf, MD - July 22, 2015) - The Bridgeport Bluefish (9-4, 35-48) were defeated by the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (7-6, 49-34) 4-2 at Regency Furniture Stadium on Wednesday night, their first setback in the four game series. The loss snaps Bridgeport's season-best five game road winning streak. The final game of the brief road trip is tomorrow evening.
Bridgeport Starting Pitcher Matt Iannazzo picked up a no-decision, tossing seven innings, giving up just two runs on seven hits, walking one and striking out five. The left hander posted his fourth quality start of the season. Southern Maryland Starting Pitcher Jake Hale also did not factor in the game's final outcome, pitching two and two-thirds scoreless and hitless innings, walking one and striking out two. Cody Eppley (2-2) registered the win out of the bullpen for the First Half Freedom Division Champions, going two-thirds of an inning, striking out one. Eric Niesen (1-3) suffered the loss in relief for Bridgeport, facing two batters, surrendering one run on one hit, striking out one. Erik Hamren allowed two hits in the ninth inning, but was able to close the game out for the Blue Crabs and record his 21st save of the season, third most in the Atlantic League.
Southern Maryland took the early 1-0 lead off Iannazzo in the bottom half of the first inning on a two-out run-scoring single by former Bluefish Jovan Rosa, plating Fred Lewis who led off the inning with a base knock of his own. Bridgeport would take their first and only lead of the night 2-1 in the fourth inning off Blue Crabs reliever Wade Korpi. Josh Prince led off the frame with a single, and would advance into scoring position on a stolen base. Prince came in to score the tying run on an RBI single by Wilson Batista, extending his hitting streak to a season-best seven straight games. Batista would cross the plate with the lead run at the time on a wild pitch by Korpi.
Southern Maryland tied the game up at two in the bottom of the fifth inning off Iannazzo on an RBI groundout by Casey Stevenson which brought home Casey Frawley, who led off the inning with an infield single. The Blue Crabs took the lead for good in the eighth with two runs for the 4-2 advantage. Fred Lewis singled off Niesen to start the rally. Steven Ames came on for Niesen and retired one and allowed one hit. On came Robert Carson, who walked Jake Opitz, and three ducks were on the pond for Jamar Walton, and on a one and two count, Walton laced a single to center field, bringing home Fred Lewis and Anthony Vega, and Southern Maryland never looked back after having lost the previous five meetings against the Bluefish. All-Star Welington Dotel had his league-leading tenth triple in the losing effort. Andres Rodriguez led the way for Bridgeport with two hits.
The Bluefish return to the Ballpark at Harbor Yard on Friday, July 24th when they welcome in their cross-sound rival Long Island Ducks for a three game weekend set as the 2015 Ferry Cup Series continues. Five-time World Series Champion Paul O'Neill will guest manage the team on what is guaranteed to be a very exciting start to the weekend in the Park City. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. CLICK HERE for tickets.
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.
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