Bridgeport, CT – The Bridgeport Bluefish’s latest week of Atlantic League baseball was easily summarized in yesterday’s doubleheader split with the Somerset Patriots (27-15). Game one featured a fantastic complete game one-hitter by Kyle Jackson in Bridgeport’s (17-25) 3-0 victory. Yet, game two brought the other side of the coin to the Bridgeport Bluefish, a 10-1 defeat.
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 11th
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.