Skeeters Come From Behind To Defeat Bluefish
April 23, 2016 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Bridgeport Bluefish News Release
(Sugar Land, TX) - The Bridgeport Bluefish (0-2) were defeated by the Sugar Land Skeeters (2-0) 6-4 at Constellation Field on Friday night and have now dropped the first two games of the season opening four game set. The Bluefish had the tying run on second base in the top half of the ninth inning but were unable to cash it in as their all-time struggles continue in the state of Texas.
Bridgeport Starting Pitcher R.J. Hively picked up a no-decision in his debut for the 'Fish, lasting four innings, allowing three runs (one earned run) on four hits, walking one, striking out six, and hitting two batters. Sugar Land Starting Pitcher Parker Frazier (1-0), a member of the Bluefish pitching staff briefly in 2015 earned the victory, tossing five innings, surrendering three runs and five hits, walking two while striking out three. Bridgeport reliever David Kubiak (0-1) was tagged with the loss after giving up two runs on three hits in his one inning of work, walking and striking out one batter each while allowing one home run. Robbie Weinhardt escaped the ninth inning after almost coughing up the lead to register his first save in 2016.
Bridgeport took a 2-0 lead off Frazier in the top half of the second inning with a two-out rally after the right hander began is evening by retiring the first five batters that he faced. Wilkin Ramirez drew a free pass, and was followed up by a Luis Domoromo single to puts runners at first and second. Rafael Lopez drove both runners home with an opposite field two run double to left, giving the Bluefish their first lead of the 2016 campaign. The visitors would extend the advantage to 3-0 in the top of the third again off Frazier when Dan Johnson laced an RBI single to drive home Endy Chavez, who doubled down the right field line, the first of three consecutive hits for the 'Fish.
Sugar Land would get a pair of runs back in the home half of the third inning off Hively to get within a single run at 3-2 on a two-out single by Brooks Conrad that plated a pair. The Skeeters would knot the game up at three in the fourth when Hively hit Tyson Gillies with a pitch on an 0-2 count with the bases loaded after striking out back to back batters. Sugar Land took their first lead of the night in the fifth after Dominguez greeted Kubiak rudely with a solo blast to right to lead off the inning, and an RBI double by Johan Limonta would give the Skeeters some insurance as they extended their lead to 5-3.
Trailing 6-3 heading to the top half of the ninth inning, Bridgeport showed their loyal fans just why they are going to be such a hard-nosed and scrappy team in 2016. With Weinhardt looking to close the game out, the 'Fish sent up the top of the order. Ruben Sosa Jr. and Endy Chavez reached on back to back walks, and the uphill climb began. With two outs, Sosa Jr. crossed the plate on a wild pitch to cut the Bridgeport deficit to 6-4, while Chvez advanced to third. Luis Rodriguez was also issued a free pass, and then pinch runner Jiwan James stole second base, putting the tying run in scoring position, but Weinhardt struck out Wilkin Ramirez as Sugar Land walked away with the victory. Domoromo led the offensive attack for Bridgeport with three hits.
Bridgeport returns home for the first time in the 2016 regular season following their seven game road trip on Thursday, April 28th when they host the newest member of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and in-state rival the New Britain Bees at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard. First pitch on Opening Night is scheduled for 7:12. All fans in attendance will receive schedule posters courtesy of CDOT and the game will be followed by a 3D fireworks display presented by Family Vision Centers.
Atlantic League Stories from April 23, 2016
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- Patriots Outlast Ducks in See-Saw Slugfest - Long Island Ducks
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