Bridgeport’s Barrage Leads ‘Fish to Series Victory over Newark

By Justin Felisko on June 29, 2009

Bridgeport, CT- The Bridgeport Bluefish (26-34) finished off a high scoring and high hitting affair with the Newark Bears by winning the final game of a five game series 12-5 on Sunday.  Brandon Sing blasted a bases clearing double to deep center field at Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium in the top of the sixth inning to highlight a 14-batter, seven run inning for the ‘Fish.

Tyrone Pendergrass was part of the sixth inning Bridgeport barrage when he hit a one out single to left field, scoring Todd Davison (2-for-5, 1 R, 1 RBI) and Ryner Bautista.  Pendergrass finished 2-for-5 with two runs scored and two RBI.

Bautista (1-for-4, 2 R, 3 RBI)  put the only smudge, a three run home run, on an other wise fine debut by Newark starter Matt Melody (0-0) out of the New Jersey Institute of Technology.  Melody finished with one strikeout in four innings of work while getting tagged for four runs on five hits and one walk.

On the mound for the ‘Fish, Corey Lee (3-5) got his third win of the season behind Bridgeport’s offensive attack.  Lee allowed five runs on seven hits and five walks in six innings while striking out four.

After tossing a 1-2-3 sixth inning, Lee was relieved by Andy Cavazos, who struck out two while retiring six straight.  Jon Plefka appeared in his second game of the series, pitching a scoreless ninth.  The Bridgeport trio retired 13 of Newark’s final 14 batters in the game.

The Bluefish won the five game series against Newark this weekend, three games to two, and double digit scoring was the path to victory for Bridgeport as the ‘Fish were 3-0 when scoring 10 or more runs.  On Saturday, the ‘Fish split a doubleheader with the Bears.

The ‘Fish defeated the Bears 12-7 in game one by ambushing Newark starter Shane Komine (2-2) for 11 runs (10 earned) on 11 hits in 3.2 innings.  Seven of the 11 runs Komine allowed came in an eleven batter first inning highlighted by Adam Greenberg’s bases-clearing double in his second at-bat of the inning.

Luis Lopez went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and Davison chipped in for the ‘Fish with a 3-for-4 performance with two RBI and a run scored.

Dan Reichert (7-6) earned his team leading seventh victory, despite allowing a season high three home runs.  The righthander struck out eight, but gave up seven runs on nine hits including three two-run homers from Carl Everett, Jacque Jones and Felix Martinez.

Keith Foulke avenged the Bears game one loss, with a dazzling spot start in the Bears 9-1 victory in game two.  Foulke struck out five in five innings and gave up just two hits, one run and no walks to earn the victory.  It was Foulke’s first start since August 6, 2008 when the former Major Leaguer gave up three runs in two innings for the Sacramento River Cats of the Pacific Coast League (AAA, Athletics).

Jesse Hoorelbeke was the only Bluefish to find the slightest bit of success, hitting a solo shot off of Foulke.  The home run was Hoorelbeke’s second of the day and third of the series.

Reliever Corey Willey finished the lockdown pitching performance by the Bears, retiring the final six Bluefish batters in the last two innings.

Bridgeport starter Kyle Jackson (5-5) was not as lucky with the run support as Reichert endured his worst outing of the season.  Jackson gave up a season high four home runs and also got tagged for eight runs on 12 hits, both of which are season highs as well.

The Bears walked the ‘Fish to victory on Friday, issuing the Bluefish a season-high 13 walks.

Despite trailing by scores of 2-0, 4-1, and 8-6 the ‘Fish scored four unanswered runs in the seventh and eighth innings to win the game 10-8.

The Newark bullpen walked 10 Bluefish batters after starter Edgar Martinez (4.0 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 1 HR) left the game in the fourth inning with a leg injury.  Eight of nine Bridgeport hitters drew at least one walk, with five of those batters accepting two free passes.  Jesse Hoorelbeke even walked twice in the fifth inning.

Davison led the way offensively by hitting his first home run and first triple of the season in a 2-for-4 performance with two runs and an RBI.

Jon Plefka earned his first win of the season in his first appearance since June 7 by tossing a scoreless eighth inning.  Plefka allowed one hit and struck out two.

Despite scoring seven runs for the second time against Bluefish starter Esteban Yan (5-2), the Bears just could not outhit the ‘Fish to victory.  Yan got shelled for eight runs (seven earned) on 12 hits and two walks, while striking out one in 4.2 innings pitched.

Newark opened the series on June 25 with a 5-4 victory.  Hoorelbeke went 2-for-4 with three RBI, two runs scored and a two home run to left field in the 2^nd inning to do all he could to try and lead the Bluefish to a series opening victory.  Charlton Jimmerson responded by blasting a two-run home run to left field in the bottom of the fifth inning to give the Bears the series opener.

Gary Knotts (1-4) suffered the loss after striking out three and giving up five runs on ten hits and three walks in 7.1 innings.

The Bluefish finished the week 3-2 and trail first place Southern Maryland by 10.5 games.  The ‘Fish take on the Camden Riversharks tonight at 7:05 at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard.

Tonight’s Matchup

RHP Nate Bump (11 GS; 8-2, 1.90 ERA) vs. RHP Franklin Perez (3 GS, 10 GP; 0-2, 10.80 ERA)

The Week Ahead

June 29-July 1 vs Camden Riversharks

Player to Watch: Designated hitter Vito Chiaravolloti has a team-high .444 batting average against the Bluefish in seven games this season with a team high two home runs and nine RBI.  Chiaravolloti’s .889 slugging percentage and .583 on-base percentage are team highs as well.

July 2-5 at Long Island Ducks

Player to Watch: Third Baseman Ray Navarrete has a team-high five RBI and six runs scored against Bridgeport.  Navarette is 9-for-26 (.346) in six games against the ‘Fish this year.   

Fish Facts:

Who’s Hot: Todd Davison connected for his first home run and triple of the season in Friday’s 10-8 victory.  Davison has been hitting .433 (13-for-30) in his last nine games with six runs and four RBI…Jesse Hoorelbeke launched three home runs in the series against Newark and went 6-for-18 with seven runs and eight RBI. 

Who’s Not: Luis Rodriguez has gone 2-for-13 (.154) with one home run and four RBI in the last five games…Adam Greenberg is 3-for-18 (.167) in his last five games with four runs and four RBI.

‘Fish Walk off With Series: On Saturday, the Bluefish were issued a season high 13 walks by the Bears.  It was just the beginning for the ‘Fish, as Bridgeport went on to tally 30 walks for the entire series.  The Bluefish won the five game series 3-2.

Bats and Arms need to Improve for Second Half: The Second Half of the Atlantic League season will begin on July 10 and the Bluefish are hoping to gain some momentum at the plate and on the mound before the second half begins.  Currently, the Bluefish are ranked sixth in the league in hitting (.260) and pitching (4.50 ERA).  Bridgeport’s pitchers have given up the second most home runs in the league with 52 and have issued the second most walks with 222.

New ‘Fish in the Tank: The Bridgeport Bluefish acquired outfielder Ron Davenport from the Long Island Ducks for future considerations on June 24.  Davenport appeared in 28 games posting a .219 batting average with 10 extra base hits, 12 RBI and 10 runs scored for the Ducks this season.  The 27-year old made his Bluefish debut on Saturday, going 0-for-2 in game two of the doubleheader against Newark.

Bray Swimming Well in the South: Former Bluefish Steve Bray (2009) has pitched well this season at Double A West Tenn (AA, Mariners) of the Southern League. Bray is 1-4 with a 3.49 ERA in 13 games.  The University of New Haven product has struck out 43 batters in 59.1 innings while holding his opponents to a .242 batting average.

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