Sosa Jr. Remains Red Hot In Defeat
April 24, 2016 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Bridgeport Bluefish News Release
(Sugar Land, TX) - The Bridgeport Bluefish (0-3) were defeated by the Sugar Land Skeeters (3-0) 9-1 at Constellation Field on Saturday night as they continue to struggle in the early stages of their season opening seven game road trip, now having dropped the first three games in the Lone Star State. The 'Fish will look to salvage a game in the series finale tomorrow afternoon before taking Monday off in preparation for their three game series on Tuesday and Wednesday (with Wednesday being a doubleheader) at Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, Maryland against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, the 2015 First Half Freedom Division Champions.
Bridgeport Starting Pitcher Matt Iannazzo (0-1) suffered the loss, giving up five runs on eight hits, walking two and striking out one. Sugar Land Starting Pitcher Barret Loux picked up a no-decision as he labored through the first four innings, allowing a run on six hits, striking out six. Chris Treibt (1-0) earned the victory out of the bullpen with two scoreless innings of work, walking one and striking out two. Treibt was one of four Skeeters pitchers who came on in relief to pitch five innings without allowing a run while striking out five batters.
Bridgeport took the early 1-0 lead in the top half of the third inning off Loux on a run scoring single by Luis Hernandez, plating Jiwan James with the first run of the game. It was the third consecutive hit for the 'Fish off Loux, and the first in a Bridgeport uniform for Hernandez, who previously was hitless in his first eight plate appearances of 2016.For the first time this season, Bluefish manager Luis Rodriguez penciled in Hernandez in the number two spot in the lineup, and the decision paid immediate dividends for Bridgeport.
Sugar Land answered right back in the home half of the third with a pair of runs off Iannazzo to take their first lead of the evening at 2-1 and they never looked back. An RBI double by Tyson Gillies (his first of three doubles in the game) brought home Jeff Dominguez with the tying run. Later in the frame Jeremy Barfield singled home Gillies with two men out to give the home team a lead they would never relinquish. The Skeeters sent eight men to the plate in the bottom of the fourth inning and scored three more runs, and then broke the game open in the seventh as they batted around and scored four more runs to take a commanding 9-1 lead as they came from behind to win for the second consecutive night. Ruben Sosa Jr. continued to set the table at the top of the order for the 'Fish, reaching base three times in four plate appearances with two singles and a walk. The Bridgeport infielder is now 5-10 in the series, and in 13 trips to the batter's box in 2016 he has reached base safely eight times. Jose Cuevas led the way for Bridgeport with a pair of 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 24, 2016
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- Scott Kelly Drives in Three to Lead Patriots to Four Game Sweep of Ducks - Somerset Patriots
- Somerset Stifles Long Island in Series Finale - Long Island Ducks
- Bees Look for Series Split with York in Sunday Matinee - New Britain Bees
- Sosa Jr. Remains Red Hot In Defeat - Bridgeport Bluefish
- Barnstormers Lose In Crazy Eighth - Lancaster Stormers
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