Riordan Picks up First Win, Drives Home Three Runs

April 27, 2017 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Bridgeport Bluefish News Release


Sugar Land, TX- The Bridgeport Bluefish (4-3) defeated the Sugar Land Skeeters (3-4) 6-4 at Constellation Field on Wednesday night to complete a winning season-opening road trip in the Lone Star State. After spending the first week of the season in the state of Texas, Bridgeport now returns home for Opening Day on Friday, April 28th when they host the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs at the Ballpark at Harbor at 4:05 P.M.

The rubber game of the series saw a wild sequence of events take place in the middle innings. After Tony Abreu (who started the game defensively at shortstop) reached on an infield single in the top half of the third inning, he had to be removed soon after due to injury. Yefry Reyes, the starting second baseman, moved over to shortstop, and Alberto Callaspo, the designated hitter, moved to second base, which meant Bluefish Starting Pitcher Cory Riordan would now have to bat in Abreu's spot at the top of the lineup. In the top of the fifth with two outs and Jonathan Galvez at second, Reyes was intentionally walked by Sugar Land Starting Pitcher Michael Nix. That brought up Riordan, and he launched a booming double over the head of centerfielder Anthony Giansanti, scoring Galvez and Reyes to give the 'Fish a 2-0 edge.

Sugar Land answered in the home half of the fifth with a rally of their own against Riordan. Jeremy Barfield walked with the bases loaded, cutting the deficit to 2-1. With one out and the bags still juiced, Andy Wilkins lined a shot up the middle that was caught by a leaping Callaspo, and he then proceeded to step on the second base bag to double off Lance Zawadzki to end the frame and limit the damage, the eighth double play turned by Bridgeport in the series. The visitors made it 5-1 in the sixth when Reyes drove home a pair with a triple and later scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Riordan. The Skeeters trailed 6-4 in the ninth when David Carpenter closed the game out with a scoreless inning of relief for his third save in as many opportunities, as the 'Fish head back to the Park City with a winning record.

Riordan (1-1) collected the victory, firing six strong innings, giving up just one run on seven hits, walking three and striking out two. Nix (0-2) suffered the loss, allowing five runs on eight hits, walking one, striking out six, and hitting a batter. Ozney Guillen led the offensive attack for the Bluefish with three hits, extending his hitting streak to seven consecutive games.

Bridgeport now returns home for the first time in the 2017 regular season on Friday, April 28th when they host the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard. First pitch on Opening Day is scheduled for 4:05. The first 500 fans in attendance will receive schedule posters presented by the Connecticut Department of Transportation. CLICK HERE for tickets.



Atlantic League Stories from April 27, 2017


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