The Yankees so far have the advantage. Two big home runs from Mark Teixeira and Hadeki Matsui, and a six-out save from Mariano Rivera were the difference in game two Thursday evening as the Yankees evened the Series at a game apiece with a 3-1 win.

Now it is on the Philadelphia for the next three games that resume Saturday evening at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies are almost unbeatable in postseason play the past three years at home with an impressive 13-3 record.

So the Yankees knew that they had to get out of New York with a split after losing the first game of the Series attributed to the spectacular complete game pitched by the Phillies Cliff Lee. “The one thing that we’ve been able to do is we’ve seemed to bounce back” said Yankees manager Joe Girardi. “It was just business as usual for us today.”

One thing is also certain as the series shifts to Philadelphia. The Phillies will play their brand of baseball, National League style with no designated hitter and they hit the home run ball well at home. Don’t expect their power to be silent, or Ryan Howard to strike out four times like he did in game 2..

So the momentum, even with the Yankees big win in game 2 may still be with the Phils. “I guess I am going to have to be,” commented Phils manager Charlie Manuel when asked if he was content about going home with a split, “I always like to be 2-0 over 1-1. But it is what it is. I’ve got to accept it.”

When Teixiera hit a home run leading off the fourth to the right field bullpen off a Martinez changeup, he broke a slump that tied the score and ignited the Yankee Stadium crowd of 50,181.  Pedro Martinez until then was as spectacular as Lee was the night before. He struck out eight which matched his second most ever in a postseason game.

But A.J, Burnett was just as good striking out nine the most for a Yankee in a postseason game since Mike Mussina fanned nine on October 21, 2003 in the third game of the World Series against Florida. He recorded his first career postseason career victory. “I threw a lot of first strikes and that allowed me to open up and expand the zone after that,” said Burnett.

He also got some incentive after watching Lee do what he did the previous night. “You know, actually I sat and watched the interview when he (Lee) was on the field and he talked about confidence and he talked about belief in his stuff, and all I told myself last night and today was the same thing.”

And Matsui made some adjustments. Perhaps tuning up for some more home runs at Citizens Bank Park after he put the Yankees ahead with two outs in the sixth hitting a low curve ball off Martinez with a home run to right. “I was able to make a good adjustment and fortunately it led to a good result,” said Matsui through a translator.

Martinez heard the calls from the Yankee crowd. The “Who’s your daddy chant” that carried over from his days when he pitched for the Boston Red Sox at the old Yankee Stadium.. He showed he is still a competitor, and though not throwing at 95 his breaking ball was effective allowing three runs on six hits in six innings.

“I made a couple of mistakes,’ he said. “Teixeira’s home run to me seems he hit a good pitch. Matsui I was disappointed because first of all, maybe the pitch wasn’t the one I would probably would have chosen .if I was to think again.” He wasn’t making excuses and admitted that the past few days he was not feeling well and not as strong.

For Martinez the one-year deal plus incentives from the Phillies has been worth it. And if this was his last time on the mound in New York it was worth the effort. He also struck out Alex Rodriquez three times. Rodriquez is 0-8 in the first two games.

“To participate, compete against a real good team, a very solid team, be able to put my team in position to catch up or win the game and at the same time tell myself that I made the right decision by coming back and getting the opportunity putting myself in the position to get an opportunity to pitch in the World Series,” he said.

In the end it was Rivera getting his third save this postseason, 10^th World Series save and 38^th overall. Girardi for the second time this postseason brought him in for a second six out save. Was that a lack of confidence by Girardi not going to Joba Chamberlain or Phil Hughes with the heart of the Phils power coming up in the eight and ninth inning?

Girardi would only say that Rivera, who threw 40 pitches, was available with the off day Friday. But there were certainly some questions or desperation on the part of Girardi having his closer come in to get the last six outs. But to Derek Jeter there is only one Mariano Rivera.

“Everybody is not Mo, that’s the best way to put it,” he said.  No pressure for Rivera in that situation and now it is up to Andy Pettitte, who gets the start Saturday to try and keep those Philadelphia hitters from using their home park to their advantage on Saturday.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring 786@aol.com

Utley is exactly the type of gritty, rise-to-the-occasion player which has filled the Phillies’ roster the past two years, and those traits might be what ultimately carry the Phillies to their second straight world championship over a team which is widely considered better than the team which owns 2008 World Series rings.

Yes, that’s right, it’s the Yankees who have to take that title from Philadelphia, not the other way around, as it might have often seemed leading up to this season’s World Series.

Behind Utley, the Phillies served early notice that they won’t be intimidated in the least by any sort of Yankee postseason mystique.

For all the talk of how dominant Sabathia had been this postseason (and, he was) and how powerful the Yankees’ lineup is (and, it is), it seems that a certain thing was forgotten by many fans and media members about the team in the opposing dugout –- that Philadelphia, not New York, is the defending world champion, and that the fightin’ Phils, with a payroll of nearly S100 million less than that of their 2009 World Series counterparts, possess both the ability and all of the intangibles needed to overcome the mighty, favored Yankees.

The other main story in Philadelphia’s 6-1 Game 1 victory besides Utley’s heroics was that of the Phillies’ own ace starter, Cliff Lee, who finished a complete game as the only pitcher in baseball history to strike out 10 batters while allowing no walks and no earned runs in a World Series game.

Pitching on the grand stage as a Game 1 World Series starter in Yankee Stadium, it was Lee who showed up the Yankees and shut them down the way many thought Sabathia would stop the Phillies’ powerful lineup.

Lee certainly didn’t shy away from such an opportunity. “I’ve never been nervous in the big leagues,” he said, a few moments after winning the first ever World Series game played at the new Yankee Stadium, a victory which comes six months and twelve days after Lee won the first regular season game ever played in the same building, on April 16th, as a member of the Cleveland Indians.

After very nonchalantly sticking out his glove to catch a pop-up on the mound by Johhny Damon in the 6th inning as if he was shagging a fly ball during batting practice, and later in the 8th inning, fielding a bouncing ball behind his back, to retire Robinson Cano, Fox television announcer Joe Buck remarked, “His body language is like he’s pitching in spring training… Cliff Lee has made it look easy.” Tim McCarver jokingly added, “Yeah, he’s just getting his work in.”

That attitude typifies the Phillies and why they lead the World Series 1-0 as last year’s champions even though the Yankees are favored and thought of by most as being a stronger team from top to bottom.

As Utley said, it doesn’t matter in the Phillies’ clubhouse what others think of them or what they think of a team like the Yankees in comparison. “We have confidence, we know we have a good team,” Utley said.

Without Utley, who set a major league baseball record in Game 1 by reaching base in his 26th postseason game (matching his uniform number), the game’s final two innings (during which the Phillies tacked on four runs after Sabathia left the game), might have played out much differently, and Lee’s spectacular efforts might have gone to waste.

However, it didn’t matter to the clutch left-hand-hitting Utley that Sabathia hadn’t allowed a home run to a left-handed batter all season. Utley hit the ninth pitch of his third inning at-bat, sending a two-strike, 95 mph fastball into the right field seats for a 1-0 Phillies’ lead. Sabathia then retired the next eight hitters until Utley’s next at-bat. So, what did the ultimate gamer Utley, do then? He smacked another 95 mph fastball, this time, on an 0-2 pitch, even further than his earlier home run, into the right-center field stands, to put the Phillies up 2-0, in the sixth inning.

Before Utley, the only other left-handed hitter to homer twice off a lefty pitcher in a World Series game was legendary Yankee Babe Ruth, in 1928, off of the Cardinals’ Bill Sherdel.

It’s only one game, and this World Series is far from over. But, Utley’s play on Wednesday night exemplified the scrappy, determined nature of the Phillies, and why the Yankees may be on the verge of yet again, vastly outspending the rest of major-league baseball with free agent mercenaries like Sabathia, only to possibly fall short of a world championship yet again.

Recent history doesn’t bode well for New York in that regard. The last six World Series winners have all won Game 1, as Philadelphia did on Wednesday night. The team that started that trend? The underdog Florida Marlins, who sharing many of the same characteristics of Utley and his current Phillie teammates, fought their way to a 4-2 victory over the heavily favored Yankees, in 2003.

Fordham’s Offense put on a clinic a week ago, shattering school records in total yards. This week it was the defense that stole headlines. The Rams held Bryant to 219 yards of offense without two key starters.

The Fordham Offense strung together its most balanced attack of the year, with 244 yards on the ground and 183 through the air. The Rams racked up 400 yards in total offense for the fourth time this season.

“We finally played a complete game,” said Fordham head coach Tom Masella. “I thought we played well on offense, defense and special teams. The kids played hard and it was nice to see that hard work pay off. Hopefully this is something we can build on for next week.”

Senior quarterback John Skelton piloted the Ram’s aerial assault, completing 18 of 32 passes for the 183 yards and two touchdowns. Both were caught by his brother Stephen Skelton.

Junior running back Xavier Martin kept up his excellent 2009 campaign with his second straight 100-yard rushing game and tenth of his career. Martin rushed for 122 yards on 19 carries and a score.

Quarterback John Skelton didn’t mind the extra help.

“Having the running game get going really helps our offense,” said John Skelton. “The offensive line did a good job blocking, especially setting the edge so the backs could get outside.”

After the Fordham defense forced the Bulldogs on a three-and-out to open the first quarter, the Rams took over on their own 45. Fordham’s two stars in the backfield got down to business.

Skelton completed two straight passes for 15 yards, including two to Xavier Martin and the Rams drove down to the Bryant 28. After an incomplete pass Martin finished off the drive by darting 28 yards for the score and the early 7-0 lead.

After Chris Bird missed a 44-yard field goal, Fordham drove 73 yards on eight plays and Darryl Whiting punched it in from 6 yards out for a 14-0 advantage.

Fordham took over following a punt early in the second quarter on its own 35 they only needed 1:34 to put the ball in the end zone for a 21-0 lead. John Skelton added to Fordham’s lead with a 34 yard TD run. Skelton scampered around the left side and down the sideline, going into the end zone untouched with 10:12 left in the first half.

Bryant gave the Rams a scare later in the half after a Samad Wagstaff interception at the Fordham 45. After the ball was advanced to Fordham’s 15-yard line the Bulldogs went to work and were unsuccessful. A fourth down Croce pass to Kahel Pritchard fell short and the Rams held.

The Rams then hit Bryant where it hurt driving 85 yards on ten plays and ending it with a one yard Skelton to Skelton connection for a 28-0 halftime lead.

A promising opening possession of the second half stalled for Fordham after an incompletion on fourth down.

Bryant appeared ready to get on the scoreboard for the first time but a Jerrell Smith fumble ended those hopes

Bryant was not denied the second time. After Patrick Murray blocked a Ram punt, the Bulldogs moved it to the Fordham 11 and cashed in from 28 yards out courtesy of a Gross to Isaiah Leake touchdown pass in the right corner of the end zone.

After cutting the Fordham lead to 28-7 the Rams didn’t take long to answer. On the ensuing kickoff Zach Crosby darted 57 yards to the Bryant 29. This time John Skelton went to his brother again from 18 yards out to put Fordham back up 35-7.

The Bulldogs had one last harrah on offense late in the fourth but were denied when Fordham’s Jay Jackson sacked Croce on fourth down at Fordham’s 42.

Both Skelton’s controlled the skies for Fordham with John leading all throwers and Stephen leading all receivers with 8 catches for 74 yards and two touchdowns.

David Moore finished with four catches for 53 yards and Running Back Daryl Whiting gained 56 yards on eight carries with the one score.

Defensively Jamal Haruna and Cliff Stuckey led the Rams. Haruna finished with eleven tackles, four solo. Stuckey added ten stops, including six solo and one for loss.

With the win, the Rams improve to 2-and Bryant drops to 3-2.

The Rams will begin a two game road trip up in Ithaca, N.Y. Saturday October 17^th versus Cornell University at 12:30 p.m. The game will be Fordham’s final non-conference duel of the season.

Back to back wins are an encouraging sign as the Rams play the remainder of October away from Rose Hill.

When rookie QB Mark Sanchez took the field he was looking to keep his team undefeated. Well reality set in as well as mistakes and the kid turned out to be human after all. Darren Sharper picked off two Sanchez passes, returning one 99-yards for a touchdown, to help keep the Saints unbeaten. Just two weeks ago he set the team record when he ran one back 97-yards against Philadelphia. He now has 10 career touchdowns and that ranks him second all time behind Rod Woodson’s 12. Sanchez was harassed all day and finished 14-27 for just 138 yards and three picks. Remi Ayodele also had a touchdown when he recovered a Sanchez fumble after he was sacked by Saints end Will Smith. Pierre Thomas had another strong showing with 86 yards to lead the running game. For the second consecutive game Drew Brees did not throw a touchdown pass and he had only 190 yards passing. So Brees has a sub par day and the running game does not have a 100-yards runner but they win by 14. The Saints still showed that they are capable of playing a complete game on both sides of the ball. They have the Giants in two weeks after a bye.  After the G-Men take care of the Raiders next week it will be another clash of the unbeaten.

Washington 16 Tampa Bay 13

The young Bucs came into this game believing they could win it. After all, the Redskins had just come of a loss to the Lions, ending their 19-game winless streak. Things started well for them in the first few minutes of the game. At the 13:00 mark quarterback Josh Johnson put the Bucs up when he hit Antonio Bryant for an 8-yard touchdown on his first pass of the game. By halftime it was 10-0 and Washington QB Jason Campbell was wondering if he should come out for the second half. Whatever was said in the locker room worked. The Skins came out in the third quarter and scored 16 points to put the game away. Campbell was 7 of 9 for 110 yards and two touchdowns in the quarter. Johnson showed his inexperience and finished up 13-22 for 106 yards one touchdown and one pick. The ground game could never get started and the offense could not mount a drive in the second half. They are now 0-4 and head coach Raheem Morris is still looking for his first NFL win.

The Atlanta Falcons and the Carolina Panthers were idle this week. Next week the Falcons go to San Francisco and try to beat a 49er team that is 3-1 and looking better every week. Carolina looks to get into the win column when they host the Redskins next week. They need quarterback Jake Delhomme to get on track as he has had a shaky start to 2009.

So when the players cleaned out their lockers and said goodbye Sunday afternoon, many not knowing their status for next season, we are led to believe by Wilpon that changes were already in the works the past few months.  Now the process of trades or free agency awaits all Mets fans in what could be a slow process to rebuild.

Upgrading at the plate, a power hitter at first base, a  good number two starter behind Johan Santana. Just the many tasks ahead for Minaya who knows, as well as Manuel, that one more year will be had at Citi Field if the mess of 2009 becomes a continuance in 2010.

Already gone from the clubhouse Sunday after the last pitch was Gary Sheffield. No presence of Carlos Delgado who packed his bags weeks ago and was home in Puerto Rico. Jose Reyes was preparing for surgery to that bad hamstring that put him on the disabled list on May 26^th.  And you heard from Minaya, and from Wilpon on Monday that if the right move had to be made a Reyes, even Carlos Beltran could be traded.

Mets fans want to hear that the injuries were not the sole reason for the dismal events of a season that saw a finish of 70-92. Even a season ending sweep of the Houston Astros will not leave any form of optimism for the fans who continued to come to Citi Field, over 3 million, and for every reason the novelty of a new ballpark is over so Minaya has to produce.

The ownership made that known, realizing his fans have to see a better product on the field.  So when Nelson Figueroa pitched that complete game four-hit shutout Sunday to close the season, the second for a Mets pitcher this season, there was a mood in that clubhouse that 2010 can be better.

If only their star players had stayed healthy. “Tough year for us,” said Carlos Beltran as he exchanged phone numbers with catcher Omir Santos, “We didn’t expect this coming out of spring training,” he said referring to the influx of injuries that also put him on the disabled list on June 22^nd with a bruised right knee.

Beltran would return in September, It had no impact because the season was lost which sparred, Mets fans from seeing a third straight September collapse. Figueroa who may or may have not pitched his way on the pitching staff next season said, “A lot of us were playing for jobs next year. I feel like I’ve earned a spot to be a major leaguer somewhere next year.”

But that may not be the direction that Minaya will take, even if the 33-year old Figueroa pitched the game of his career and wanted to make a statement. Wilpon says spending money again will not be an issue, and his Mets may once again have the highest payroll in the National League.

The free agent pool will not be the best. So trades may become a vehicle for Minaya. And don’t be surprised if one of the so-called “Core Players” that being Beltran or Reyes changes uniform if the proper deal is put on the table. The uncertainty of where they will be when spring training commences in February was definitely evident after that last pitch was thrown on Sunday.

Guys like Wilson Valdez knew it was last day in New York. And so goes for Anderson Hernandez, two of the infielders who tried to fill the void for Reyes in the infield. “It was good coming back here and I hope so,” said Anderson when asked about plans for next season.

Reyes is the catalyst as Minaya and Manuel know   With a healthy Reyes, the Mets can build around the core with Beltran, David Wright and their new addition in Jeff Francoeur. Angel Pagan showed some consistency at the plate but surly is a better option coming off the bench.

“I think I proved that I can play here and can come back and help this team, commented Pagan who finished fourth in the National League with 13 triples, and proving that Citi Field is a perfect place for hitting the triple. He was one of those Mets that persevered after a stint on the disabled list. “Turning the page and forgetting about it,” added Pagan about the season.

The Mets would finish a fraction of a point second to the Dodgers as the top hitting team in the National League. Their pitching staff issued the second most walks in baseball.  Blame the injuries, or the failure to run the bases properly, even the failure to drive in runs.

It was an entire season collapse instead of another disappointing end in September. And as they left their clubhouse the final time Sunday there was that attitude of failure, knowing that changes would be made. The coaching staff moves made Monday was not what Mets fans wanted to hear.

A long process it will be and Mets fans will have to be patient. They don’t want to hear that Mets players spent more than 1,480 days on the disabled list, eight former all-stars. They don’t want to hear Manuel say as he did Sunday, “For the most part it was a failure,”

Now it up to the manager and more importantly the general manager, to make sure the next season is not a failure. If not Minaya and Manuel are gone and probably a lot of fans will follow them out the door.

e-mail Rich Mancuso: Ring786@aol.com

The Jets led 3-0 after a 24 yard  first quarter Jay Feely field goal.  Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer gave rookie Mark Sanchez modest plays early to allow him to gain a solid footing yet showed off the USC star’s versatility by allowing him to roll out of the pocket in both directions. This keeping the Texan defense and star Mario Williams off balance from the onset. In the second, after a Steve Slaton fumble deep in Jet territory thwarted perhaps the Texnas best and only drive of the day, Sanchez struck. Moving them to the Texan 30, he found Chansi Stuckey all alone as a result of a failed Texans blitz, for a 10-0 lead.

The only danger came when Sanchez threw an ill advised interception while nursing a 17-0 lead with 12 minutes to go in the fourth. Ryan was quoted today as saying that looking back on it , it should’ve been “ground and pound.” Sanchez and the Jets did not perpetuate a typical JEts trait of the past and  wilt though. In fact, they came out aggressively and when Dustin Keller (94 yards) caught a 40 yard pass after lining up as a WR in single coverage against formr Jet Nick Ferguson, a win was on it’s way. The deal sealed when Thomas Jones broke free for a 30 yard TD knock out punch.

The Jets SHOULD feel good. They entered the building of a team many project as a playoff contender and beat them physically and mentally. Their rookie QB showed resiliency and a sense of calm after the int. Their coach made true on a promise that the Jet defense would be an attacking one. Jenkins controlled the line of scrimmage all day. Harris and Scott cleaned the rest up. The maligned receiving corps who many feel is without a true number one threat, answered the bell. They were led by dependable Jerricho Cotchery (6-90yds) the speedy Chansi Stucky (4-64yds) and emerging star TE Dustin Keller (4-94yds).  RB Leon Washington (15-60yds) and Thomas Jones (20-107 yds) will continue to be the primary focus of an offense that will try and move it on the ground while shortened field provided by a stifling defense.

Next week, the Jets take on hated rivals the New England Patriots in the home opener. Rex Ryan entered Jet nation in March, by saying that he didn’t come here to kiss Bill Belicheck’s rings. We already knew that in week 2 the pressure on rookie Sanchez would come from one of the NFL’s masterminds. After Sunday, we also now know that the heat will be on Tom Brady as well: Perhaps for the first time since the Jets after Mo Lewis knocked out Drew Bledsoe back in 2001 in Foxboro. Leaving Belicheck with no choice but to go his unknown backup, Brady. First place is already at stake in what is shaping up to be a big game in September.

Jet notes: A review of the 3 keys to the Texan game.

Sanchez vs Texan defense. Sanchez threw for 1TD 1 int, 256 yds and answered the call often on third down with crisp tight accurate throws. Mario Williams ran Sanchez down but didn’t make any game changing plays.

Slaton vs Jets front 8. Slaton was held to 17 yards and was stopped behind the line on more than one ocassion forcing Houston into second and third and long. Chris Brown looked better for the Texans. Enough said.

Darrel Revis vs Andre Johnson. Johnson was held to 4 catches and 35 yards. He di not have one deep ball thrown to him bacuae of the Jets pressure on Schaub. Domination. Double teams helped Revis but in all, a major playmaker was held to a whisper.

Reichert (6-6) suffered the tough-luck loss after striking out seven in nine innings.  The righty was charged with one unearned run on seven hits in his first complete game of the season.

The only run of the game came in the top of the second inning after Jason Aspito led off the inning with a base knock to centerfield and John Purdom followed with an infield single.  Aspito then advanced to third on an error by first baseman Jesse Hoorelbeke. With one out, Matt Esquivel recorded his 20^th RBI of the season on a fielder’s choice to second base, scoring Aspito.

The ‘Fish could not find an answer for Harikkala, who was moved up in York’s rotation as Corey Thurman will be the starting pitcher for the Freedom division in Tuesday’s Atlantic League All-Star game.  Brandon Sing had three of Bridgeport’s five hits, finishing 3-for-4.  Luis Lopez and Ryner Bautista had the other two hits for the ‘Fish.

Bob Zimmermann pitched a scoreless ninth inning to earn his first save of the season for the Revs.

Yesterday’s loss gave Reichert two consecutive losses since winning four straight games from May 26-June 11.  On June 16, he held the Lancaster Barnstormers in check through six innings, retiring nine straight batters at one point, but back-to-back hits by Danny Bravo and Ryan Mulhern in the seventh inning gave the Barnstormers a 1-0 lead against Reichert.  The former Major Leaguer finished with two strikeouts in seven and one-third innings of work, allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks.

In the top of the ninth, Sing hit his league-leading 11^th home run to left field.

On Friday, Atlantic League All-Star Esteban Yan (5-2) gave up just one run on five hits and one walk, leading the Bridgeport Bluefish to a 4-1 victory over the York Revolution.  Yan struck out one and breezed through the York lineup on just 90 pitches for the game.  It was Yan’s sixth quality start of the season.

Adam Greenberg gave Yan all the support he needed, going 2-for-5 with two runs and a season-high three stolen bases.  Greenberg led off the bottom of the third inning with a single through the right side and then proceeded to steal second and third base. The centerfielder then scored on a pass ball by York catcher Josh Johnson.

Ryan Radmanovich chipped in with two hits and one RBI as eight of the ten Bluefish batters contributed to the 10-hit outing.

Andy Weimer entered in the ninth inning to shut the door for the ‘Fish.  Weimer pitched a scoreless ninth frame to earn his second save of the season while striking out one and giving up one walk.

Todd Davison was the unlikely hero Saturday night, leading the Bluefish to their second straight victory over the Revs.  Davison scored both the game tying and game winning runs in a 5-4 extra inning victory at a wet Ballpark at Harbor Yard.  Davison led off the bottom of the 11^th inning with a single to right centerfield off Chris Britton (0-2). Greenberg then advanced Davison to second on a sacrifice bunt down the first base side. Tyrone Pendergrass proceeded to hit a single to York second baseman George Sandel, however, he was charged for an error as he flipped the ball past first baseman John Purdom, scoring Davison and giving the Bluefish their second walk-off victory of the year.

Matt Pike (3-3) pitched two innings of extra-inning baseball to earn the victory. Pike fanned two in two innings and allowed one hit and one walk.

With the rain starting to pick up significantly in the bottom of the sixth inning, Davison (3-for-5, 2 runs scored) hit a one-out single to left field off of York relief pitcher Travis Phelps. Greenberg followed with a game-tying RBI triple to left field. The outfielder finished 1-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI.

Gary Knotts was a workhorse on the mound for the Bluefish, throwing 137 pitches in nine innings. Knotts allowed four runs on nine hits and three walks while striking out seven. In the top of the eighth, Knotts continued to shine, striking out Purdom on a nasty curve ball.

Knotts’ arm was certainly fresh after being ejected on June 15 after seven pitches against Lancaster.  Every member of the Bluefish recorded a hit, and Bridgeport’s offense erupted in a 13-10 victory. Lopez and Greenberg led the way at the plate.  Lopez finished 3-for-5 with three RBI, a run scored and a home run while Greenberg chipped in with a 3-for-6 outing with three runs, a stolen base and an RBI.

Andy Cavazos earned the win pitching two innings, giving up one run on three hits and three walks, striking out two.  Rick Asadoorian struck out the side in the ninth inning to earn his first save of the season.

On June 18, the ‘Fish were swept in a doubleheader by the Barnstormers.  Corey Lee (2-5) suffered the loss in game one, getting chased after four and two-thirds innings allowing three runs on three hits and six walks, striking out five.  Bridgeport was defeated 6-2 in game one.

In game two, Bridgeport fell 6-5 in eight innings.  Asadoorian got the loss after giving up three hits and a walk in two innings.  Jesse Hoorelbeke finished 3-for-4 with his second home run of the season, two RBI and a run scored.

The Bluefish enter this week’s All-Star break 10 games back of first-place Southern Maryland before resuming their season Thursday at Newark.

The Week Ahead

Tuesday June 23 Atlantic League All-Star Game

Player to Watch: New York Giants defensive tackle Justin Tuck and MLB Hall of famer Harold Reynolds are two of many well-known celebrities taking part in the celebrity softball game kicking off at 5:15 p.m.

June 25-28 at Newark Bears

Player to Watch: Designated Hitter Carl Everett has gone 5-for-15 (.333) with five RBI, six walks and two home runs against the Bluefish in five games this season.  The slugger has a .800 slugging percentage against the ‘Fish and ranks second in the league with a .426 on-base percentage.

‘Fish Facts

Who’s Hot: Atlantic League All-Star Brandon Sing is 13-for-30 (.433) in his last ten games with seven runs, nine RBI and three home runs.  Sing leads the league with 11 home runs this season.

Who’s Not:  West Hartford native Ryan Radmanovich is 2-for-19 (.105) in his last five games with one RBI.

Off to Newark: Matt Pike was added to the Liberty Division roster on Saturday for the 2009 Atlantic League All-Star game this Tuesday in Newark.  Pike has pitched 19.2 innings with 18 strikeouts and has a 1.83 ERA.  Pike joins Esteban Yan, Andy Weimer, Brandon Sing and Luis Lopez as Bridgeport representatives in this year’s All-Star game.

Need to Score: Bridgeport is 3-26 when they score three runs or less and are 3-22 when they are out hit by their opponent.

Leading the ‘Pen: Andy Weimer earned his second save of the season on Friday night and has lowered his ERA to a team-leading 0.98.  With the season-long struggles at the backend of the bullpen, Weimer may begin to see more time in the ninth inning.  The All-Star has held opponents to a .217 batting average in 18.1 innings this season.

Plefka waiting Patiently: It has been 15 days since Jon Plefka pitched for the Bridgeport Bluefish.  In his last appearance on June 7, Plefka pitched 1.2 innings of scoreless ball, giving up two hits and two walks.  His ERA now sits at 2.20 in ten games this season.

Yan’s (4-2) streak of five consecutive quality starts was snapped as he gave up five runs (four earned) and five hits with two walks while striking out six.  He has now pitched a total of 48 innings in his last six outings and has allowed a combined 10 earned runs.

Despite getting ten hits off of knuckleballer Joe Gannon (5-5), Bridgeport could only manage three runs on the day.  All three came from the bat of Ryan Radmanovich in the bottom of the seventh inning as the Bluefish attempted to make a late rally.  With the bases loaded, Radmanovich hit a blistering double off of the right field wall to score Ryner Bautista, Todd Davidson and Enohel Polanco.

In the eighth inning, the Bluefish had the tying run at third with two outs after Tyrone Pendergrass advanced to third on a passed ball; but Enohel Polanco grounded out to third to end the rally.

Pendergrass led the Bluefish to victory in Yan’s previous start on June 9 in Bridgeport’s 4-1 victory over the Lancaster Barnstormers.  Pendergrass went 2-for-4 with one RBI and one run scored while Yan blanked Lancaster for seven innings allowing only three hits while striking out eight.

Even though Polanco could not deliver Sunday, he had a huge impact in Bridgeport’s 9-6 victory on Saturday against Southern Maryland in front of a season-high 4,552 fans at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard.  Polanco finished 4-for-5 with two home runs and four RBI.

Brandon Sing (3-for-4, four RBI, one run scored) joined the Bluefish home run fest, launching a 2-2 Jimmy Serrano pitch out of the ballpark for his team leading 10^th home run of the year.  The Bluefish had four home runs in the game, one shy of their all-time single-game record.  Bridgeport and Southern Maryland combined to hit eight total home runs in the game.

Corey Lee (2-4) benefited from Bridgeport’s nine runs on 14 hits, earning the win after pitching five and two-thirds innings.  Lee gave up six runs on eight hits with one walk while striking out five.

Sing (2-for-4, 1 RBI) had another monstrous home run in Friday’s 6-2 loss to Southern Maryland.  The first baseman drilled a 2-1 pitch from Blue Crabs starter Ryan Bicondoa in the sixth inning that bounced off of the nearby Arena at Harbor Yard.

James Shanks (2-for-3, 5 RBI) may not have hit the farthest home run in the game, but his grand slam in the sixth inning off of Kyle Jackson (5-4) proved to be the difference maker in the game.  Jackson finished with six innings pitched and five runs against on six hits and two walks, while striking out four.

On June 11, Dan Reichert battled through a 125 pitch count to deliver Bridgeport a series clinching victory in the rubber game of a three game series against the Lancaster Barnstormers.  Reichert pitched eight innings and was tagged for just one run on seven hits.  The righty also set a team season high with 10 strikeouts.

Reichert had plenty of run support as the ‘Fish exploded for five runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.  Four of the runs were unearned as the Barnstormers got sloppy in the field resulting in two errors.  Polanco and Pendergrass combined for five runs and five hits in the game.  Polanco finished 3-for-5 with one run scored and three RBI while Pendergrass chipped in with a 2-for-3 performance and a run scored.

Ryner Bautista tied a single-game season high with three runs in the game.

On June 10 the Bluefish participated in their longest extra-innings game of the season, a three hour and 27 minute affair against the Barnstormers.  Matt Pike avoided trouble in the ninth inning, but proceeded to load the bases in the 10^th, and Michael Campbell drove in the winning run with an RBI single.

Luis Rodriguez sent the game into extra innings when he connected on a two run double in the bottom of the eighth inning, plating Sing and pinch-runner Todd Davidson.

Luis Lopez was the only member of the ‘Fish to have a multi-hit game, going 2-for-3 with one run scored and two walks.

The Bluefish finished the week 3-3, and after dropping this weekend’s series against Southern Maryland, they now trail the Blue Crabs by 8.5 games for first place in the Liberty Division.

Up Next: The Bluefish travel to Lancaster (24-25) today to begin a four-game series with the Barnstormers before returning home on Friday to take on the York Revolution (15-34). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05.       

Tonight’s Matchup

Gary Knotts (1-3, 3.77) vs. Eric Ackerman (2-3, 2.91)

The Week Ahead

June 15-18 at Lancaster Barnstormers

Player to Watch: L.J. Biernbaum has only played in one game against the Bluefish this season, but is currently ranked fourth in the Atlantic League with a .320 batting average and 32 RBI.  In his one appearance against the ‘Fish, Biernbaum went 2-for-3 with a home run and two RBI.

June 19-21 vs. York Revolution

Player to Watch: Matt Padgett has a team high seven RBI against Bridgeport this season.  He is 10-for-24 against the ‘Fish in seven games.

‘Fish Facts:

Who’s Hot: Tyrone Pendergrass has made a huge turnaround from his prior 4-for-44 hitting slump in late May.  Over his last ten games Pendergrass has a .407 batting average with 11 hits in 27 at-bats.

Power Outage: Slugger Jesse Hoorelbeke has struggled to find his power stroke this season.  He has posted a .143 batting average in the past ten games and has just one home run and 14 RBI on the year.

Good First Impressions: Enohel Polanco has made an immediate impact for the Bluefish since joining the team on June 4.  In ten games with Bridgeport, the second baseman has posted a .357 batting average and has knocked in nine RBI…Outfielder Colin Roberson made his Bridgeport Bluefish season debut yesterday going 2-for-4 with a stolen base as the designated hitter.

High Sailing: In Saturday’s game against the Blue Crabs, Bridgeport and Southern Maryland combined for a total of eight home runs.  The game also featured a leadoff home run (John Ramistella), an inside the park home run (Patrick Osborn), and a grand slam (Brandon Sing).  The Bluefish’s four home runs were one shy of their all-time single-game record.  It was the first time the Bluefish hit four home runs in one game since September 2, 2008 at York.

Youman Moving on to Starting Role:  Bridgeport traded relief pitcher Shane Youman to the York Revolution on June 12 for outfielder Colin Roberson. Roberson joins the Bluefish after appearing in 19 games for York. Youman was 0-1 with a 10.50 ERA in five games for the ‘Fish.

Former Bluefish part of Japanese record: The Chiba Lotte Marines set a new Japanese Professional Baseball record with 15 runs in the sixth inning on June 11.  The Marines sent 20 batters to the plate and had 12 hits, 11 of which were singles.  Former Bluefish player Gary Burnham is a member of the Marines and has a .247 batting average with 11 RBI.  The previous record for runs in an inning was 14, and the modern Major League record is 17, set by the Boston Red Sox against Detroit in 1953.

Players would arrive and depart in whirlwind fashion with then-manager Dave LaPoint seeking to rectify lineup and rotation deficiencies. LaPoint is still in charge of personnel decisions, though the roster movements have been less frequent under current manager Gary Carter.

The Ducks moved back to .500 (23-23) following Thursday night’s fog-shortened win over Camden. But the club has not made a transaction since May 30. Injuries are still holding out staff ace Randy Leek and middle-of-the-order slugger Preston Wilson and their uncertain availability could mean a roster shakeup is imminent.

“You’re always looking to improve and if there are areas in which we can improve, then that will be a possibility,” Carter said. “Right now, we’re standing pat but there is a definite possibility there will be some changes.”

Entering Friday, the Ducks will be looking for its first winning streak of any kind since June 2. An Opening Day lineup that looked formidable led by ex-big leaguers Wilson, Lew Ford, Alex Prieto has struggled. The Ducks have scored just 13 runs the past six games.

Starting pitching has also lagged, contributing to the Ducks four-game deficit in the Liberty Division standings. But there is good news on that front, as Julio Manon pitched past the seventh inning for the third straight outing before the bullpen gave up four runs in two innings in a 4-2 loss to Camden Wednesday. Leek could be returning soon and Opening Day starter Brad Halsey shrugged off a rough start to fire a complete-game six hitter in which the lefty allowed just one run in the win.

Manon said there is enough talent already on the roster to gain ground in the first-half division title race. The All-Star game is June 22 in Newark though the midpoint 70-game mark doesn’t come until July’s second week. After the first 70 games, all records re-set for the second half of the league’s 140-game regular season.

“I don’t see us needing anything. Wes just haven’t had things go our way,” Manon said. “No doubt, we will turn this thing around.”

Getting Wilson healthy could help the Ducks make up ground on first-place Southern Maryland. Wilson was batting .279 with two home runs and 15 RBIs before getting hit in the face and fracturing his nose May 31. The 34-year-old is a former Major League All-Star and is the team’s primary designated hitter.

Wilson’s return could help Ford, a former Twins outfielder who is batting just .267 for the Ducks. Ford’s .316 on-base percentage is far less than the .349 average he compiled in 494 major league games spanning five seasons in Minnesota.

“There might be some changes and another key ingredient that we’re missing is Preston Wilson,” Carter said. “He’s day-to-day. It’s a matter of when he gets into some baseball activities. We’re trying to find some sort of a facemask so he can go out there and resume playing.”

“It’s going to be on his timetable. The doctor’s are leery of running him out there that quickly.”

The Ducks open a three-game home series against Newark starting Friday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

It was all easy going for the ‘Fish in game one as Luis Lopez connected for his second home run in five days after Adam Greenberg reached base on a single. The two run cushion was all Jackson (5-3) would need as he cruised towards the victory.

Greenberg crossed the plate again for Bridgeport in the seventh inning when Enohel Polanco hit an RBI triple.

Lopez was the hero in Bridgeport’s extra inning walk off victory on June 3 against the Long Island Ducks.  Lopez hit a walk off home run to left field on the first pitch he saw from Robert Paulk in the bottom of the tenth inning.  With a flip of the bat and a loud eruption from the Bluefish bench, the ‘Fish escaped from a possible Ducks sweep in the second series of the season-long battle for the Ferry Cup.

Esteban Yan was fantastic on the mound, allowing only two runs on eight hits and one walk, while striking out one on just 81 pitches.  Yan has now had four straight quality starts.

Andy Weimer entered in the ninth inning, and was just as good, throwing two innings of scoreless ball to earn his first victory of the year.  The righty only gave up two hits and a walk.

Though in the second game of the doubleheader, Sean Smith led off the bottom half of the first inning with a home run and turned Bridgeport’s ignition right off.  Corey Lee got tagged for his fourth loss of the season, giving up a season high seven earned runs on six hits in his shortest outing of the year, lasting two and one-third innings.

On Saturday night, Bridgeport erupted for a season high 17 hits and defeated the Patriots 8-7.  Brandon Sing jumped out of his hitting slump in a big way, going 3-for-3 with two runs, two RBI and two walks.  Sing’s night was capped off with his eight home run of the year, a solo blast in the seventh inning.

Yet, Sing was not the only Bluefish to contribute, as the entire lineup had at least one hit and six players had two or more base knocks in the victory.

Dan Reichert (5-4) had a season high seven strikeouts in six innings, giving up three runs (two earned) on five hits.

Matt Pike earned his first save of the season, coming into the game in the eighth inning with two outs and two on.  Pike retired the next two batters in order, striking out Travis Anderson to end the inning.  Another strike out in the ninth inning by Matt Pike, this one to Anthony Granato, granted the Bluefish the victory.

It was a good rebound victory, as the ‘Fish got stomped on by the Pat’s the previous night, 11-2.  It was Somerset’s seventh straight victory.

Bluefish starter Gary Knotts could not survive a troublesome fourth inning, getting chased after three and two-thirds innings pitched.  The former Major Leaguer gave up nine runs (four earned) on nine hits and one walk, while striking out one.

The beginning of the week was no better when Bridgeport took on Long Island.  The Ducks took the first game of the three game series 9-1.  Starter Kyle Jackson suffered the loss after allowing six runs on eight hits, one walk and three strikeouts in six and two-thirds innings.  Three of the runs given up were with two outs in the seventh inning.

Franklin Perez made his first appearance since a stint on the disable list and Long Island slugger Ray Navarrete welcomed him back with a two run home run on Perez’s first pitch.

Bridgeport’s 3-2 loss on June 2 to the Ducks was just as painful, losing a 3-2 heartbreaker in 11 innings.

Bluefish starter Corey Lee excelled in his first Ferry Cup Series start of the year, allowing only two runs on nine hits, while striking out six over eight innings of work. Casey Hoorelbeke added two shutout innings of relief to keep the game within reach, before Matt Pike (1-2) suffered the tough loss in 11^th

The ‘Fish had an opportunity to win it in the bottom of the tenth when the Ducks loaded the bases by intentionally walking Luis Lopez with one out after Todd Davison walked. Adam Greenberg proceeded to sacrifice bunt him to second base and Tyrone Pendergrass then reached base on an error.  With the bases loaded, Brandon Sing struck out swinging and Jesse Hoorelbeke struck out looking to end Bridgeport’s chances.

In an up and down week, the Bluefish failed to finish above .500 and now find themselves with a record of 17-25. The ‘Fish trail first place Southern Maryland by eight and a half games in the Liberty Division.

Up Next: The Bluefish begin a six game home-stand at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard Tuesday night against the Lancaster Barnstormers at 7:05.

The Week Ahead

June 9-11 vs. Lancaster Barnstormers

Player to Watch: Ryan Mulhern had five RBI in three games against Bridgeport earlier this season.

June 12-14 vs. Southern Maryland

Player to Watch: Travis Garcia led the Atlantic League in hits going into Sunday with 58 and is batting .276 against Bridgeport.

‘Fish Facts

Who’s Hot: Luis Lopez now has two home runs in his past five games.  Lopez is hitting .350 over his past five games with four RBI and three runs scored.

Who’s Cold: Corey Lee has been lights out at home this season with a 1.47 ERA but on the road Lee has struggled and after yesterday’s tough outing Lee’s road ERA has now risen to 7.09.

Polanco Swimming in New Tank: On June 4 the Bluefish acquired Enohel Polanco from the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs for future considerations.  Polanco is currently hitting .467.

Mateo making a Splash in Durham:  Henry Mateo ’s hot hitting as a member of the Bluefish has now carried over to the Durham Bulls (AAA, Tampa Bay).  Mateo is batting .315 with nine runs in 15 games. The former Bluefish was also named the Atlantic League Player of the Month of May.  Before being signed by Tampa Bay, Mateo led the league with a .416 batting average, while scoring 25 runs, stealing seven bases, and posting a .473 on-base percentage.

Caligiuri Earns himself a Pair of Wings: The Anaheim Angels purchased the contract of infielder Jay Caligiuri on June 4.  Caligiuri reported to Arkansas (AA, Angels) of the Texas League.  Caligiuri had a team leading .404 on base percentage and was batting .289 with 19 RBI in 37 games.

Rogers off to Reno: On June 1 the Arizona Diamondbacks purchased the contract of shortstop Ed Rogers.  Rogers has been assigned to Reno (AAA, Diamondbacks) of the Pacific Coast League.  The 30-year old played in 33 games for the ‘Fish and had a .299 batting average.