Bluefish Drop Final Game in Bridgeport

By Bob Phillips

The Bridgeport Bluefish ended their 20-year run in the state's largest
city on Sunday by dropping a 9-2 decision to the Somerset Patriots.

BRIDGEPORT–Twenty years of Atlantic League baseball in this city came to an end on Sunday when the Somerset Patriots defeated the Bridgeport Bluefish, 9-2, before 4,909 fans at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard. The City hopes to convert the ballpark into a music amphitheater, but the Webster Bank Arena, located right next door, is challenging that plan in court claiming it would be in violation of the WBA’s non-compete clause. Would that the Bluefish could have drawn close to 5,000 fans to every game, they would not be leaving town.

Alas, the Bluefish have finished dead last in Atlantic League home attendance for the past several years.

On Sunday, Bridgeport starting pitcher Manny Parra pitched a fine game, allowing just one run on six hits in five innings while striking out three, but did not figure into the decision. Somerset starter Patrick Johnson picked up the victory, giving up one run on four hits (one home run) in five innings on the mound, striking out five.

The ’Fish took an early 1-0 lead against Johnson in the home half of the first inning when Jose Cuevas launched a solo home run to left with one man down, his seventh round-tripper of the campaign. Somerset evened the score at one run apiece in the top of the fourth when Joe Maloney drove home Justin Trapp, who had reached with a base hit, with an RBI single.

The Patriots took the lead for good in the top of the sixth with a four-run, five-hit explosion off losing pitcher Ross Seaton (2-4) to jump ahead 5-1. The Somerset rally was highlighted by a sacrifice fly from Yovan Gonzalez and a pair of RBI singles from Mark Minicozzi and D’Vontrey Richardson.

The visitors broke the game open in the top of the ninth with four insurance runs to widen the gap to 9-1 on an RBI double by Olmo Rosario, a run-scoring base hit from Kyle Roller, and a two-run single by Richardson. The Bluefish scored the final run ever in their home ballpark when Jose Cuevas crossed the plate on a sacrifice fly from Jonathan Galvez, his team-leading 77th run batted in of the season which gave the game its final score of 9-2. Cuevas and Tyler Caserta led the way for Bridgeport with a pair of hits each.

Earlier this month, the Bluefish announced that they will be relocating to High Point, N.C., which is building a new state-of-the-art $30 million stadium for the team. Where the Bluefish will play next season is still to be determined, as the new ballpark in High Point will not be ready for action until 1919.

Bluefish Announce Harbor Yard Sale

Bluefish team officials have announced that a Harbor Yard Sale will take place on September 23rd from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Harbor Yard Sale will offer Bluefish memorabilia, useful office and entertainment items, stadium equipment and much more.  The Harbor Yard Sale will take place in parking Lot A located between the stadium and the train tracks. Admission is free. For more information please contact the Bluefish at 203-345-4800. Available items include:   ·         Bluefish memorabilia. ·         Luxury suite furniture and amenities. ·         Computer equipment. ·         Entertainment equipment. ·         Baseball equipment. ·         Grounds-keeping equipment. ·         Office furniture, TV's, couches, desks, chairs and folding tables.                                                                                                                                                                    —With Staff Reports