Southern Maryland
August 1, 2017 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Bridgeport Bluefish News Release
(Waldorf, MD - The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (10-14, 48-45) defeated the Bridgeport Bluefish (13-11, 54-40) 4-3 at Regency Furniture Stadium on Monday night in the opener of a three game series in the Chesapeake State. Despite the loss, the Bluefish close out their fourth consecutive winning month on the 2017 season, finishing July with a 16-11 overall record, the identical win-loss total they had in June.
Bridgeport starting pitcher Reinier Roibal Lara tallied a no-decision in the contest, giving up three runs on seven hits (one home run) over six innings of work, striking out seven to notch his first quality start of the season. Southern Maryland starting pitcher Eric Fornataro also did not factor in the game's final outcome after surrendering one run on five hits in six innings pitched, walking one and striking out four. Cody Eppley closed the game out in the top half of the ninth inning for his team-leading 26th save of the year, tops amongst active players in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.
Southern Maryland took a 3-0 lead against Roibal in the home half of the fourth inning on an opposite-field RBI double into right center off the bat of Michael Snyder which plated Edwin Garcia with the game's first run, followed by a two-run home run over the Grille Number 13 Mini Monster in left field by L.J. Hoes, his first roundtripper of the campaign. The Bluefish got to within a pair of runs at 3-1 versus Fornataro in the top of the fifth inning when Tony Abreu plated Daniel Fields with an RBI groundout after Fields led off the frame with a free pass. Fields was at it once again in the top of the seventh when he cut the deficit to 3-2 with a booming solo home run to right centerfield with two men away, his tenth big fly, matching him with Jonathan Galvez for the most on the ballclub while driving in his team-best 45th run in the process. The visitors tied the game at three in the eighth after 2017 Liberty Division All-Star Luis Hernandez plated pinch-runner Angel Rosa with the tying-run on an infield single against Zack Thornton. The Blue Crabs answered right back in the bottom of the eighth to regain the lead 4-3 when Jose Lozada parked a leadoff home run over the short porch in left off losing pitcher Wander Perez (0-1). The 'Fish threatened in the top of the ninth putting the potential tying-run in scoring position in the person of pinch-runner Angelys Nina with nobody out, but Eppley induced Welington Dotel to bounce out to the shortstop Edwin Garcia to end the contest, stranding Nina at third base and giving Thornton (2-1) the victory out of the bullpen. Fields, Sean Burroughs, and 2017 Liberty Division All-Star D'Arby Myers led the way for the Bluefish with a pair of hits each.
Bridgeport returns The Ballpark at Harbor Yard on Tuesday, August 8th when they welcome the Lancaster Barnstormers to the Park City. First pitch is scheduled for 7:12 P.M. Come enjoy dinner and a ballgame on Kids Eat Cheap Tuesday! Children 12 and under can get a hot dog, chips, and a fountain drink for just $2! CLICK HERE for tickets.
About the Bridgeport Bluefish
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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