'Fish Sweep Somerset To Keep Playoff Hopes Alive and Well

 

Photos Courtesy Bridgeport Bluefish

 Jonathan Albaladejo improved to 14-6.

The Bridgeport Bluefish kept their postseason hopes alive by sweeping a day/night doubleheader from the Somerset Patriots on Tuesday at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard. In the day game—one that saw four lead changes—Endy Chavez banged out a two-run single with two outs in the bottom of the sixth to break up a 4-4 tie and provide the ’Fish with their ultimate margin of victory before an announced crowd of 2,793. Chavez, the former New York Mets star, leads the Atlantic League in batting average (.336). Luis Hernandez and Jose Cuevas had two hits apiece for Bridgeport.
After a two-run homer by Somerset’s Brian Van Kirk vaulted the Patriots to a 3-1 lead in the top of the fourth, the Bluefish responded in the bottom of the frame with RBI singles by Angelys Nina and Luis Hernandez to knot the score at 3-3.

The Bluefish took the lead in the next inning without the benefit of a hit. Wellington Dotel walked, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt, stole third, and was driven home home on a sacrifice fly by Jose Gil. But Somerset came right back on an RBI double by Kyle Roller in the top of the sixth, tying the score at four runs apiece and setting the stage for Chavez’s heroics.

Bluefish starter David Kubiak—a native Long Islander from Riverhead—allowed four runs (all earned) on six hits in 5.1 innings, walked one and struck out seven. He did not get a decision, however. Sam Gervacio (2-3) picked up the victory out of the Bridgeport bullpen after allowing no runs and striking out one in 1.3 innings. Kyler Newby (1-2) was tagged with the loss, giving up two runs on one hit in an inning pitched for Somerset, walking one after facing five batters. Somerset starter Efrain Nieves allowed for runs (all earned) on seven hits with three walks and three strikeouts. Kyler Newby was tagged for the loss out of the Somerset pen. The 6-4 righty from Las Vegas allowed one run on one hit in one inning.

In the second game, Bridgeport broke open a 3-3 tie with six runs in the bottom of the six, and added another insurance run in the bottom of the eighth, to walk away with a 10-3 win before an announced crowd of 2,535 at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard.

David Vidal blasted his Atlantic League-leading 25th home run in the top of the first—a two-run shot—to stake Somerset to an early 2-0 lead. The Patriots padded their lead in the top of the third when Bridgeport left fielder Jonathan Galvez dropped an easy fly ball, scoring Eric Farris who had reached on a single, and putting the Patriots up 3-0.

The ’Fish chipped away with two runs in the home fourth on an RBI fielder’s choice by Geraldo Valentin and an RBI single by Cuevas. Bridgeport then knotted the score at three runs apiece in the bottom of the fifth when Luis Hernandez led off the frame with a double in the gap, advanced to third on a fielder’s choice by Chavez, and was driven home on a sac fly by Welington Dotel.

Bridgeport blew the game wide open with a seven-hit, six-run sixth inning that was highlighted by RBI hits from Luis Rodriguez, Nina, and Gil. Dotel capped the scoring with a solo home run—his sixth of the season—in the bottom of the eighth. Bluefish starter Jonathan Albaladejo, a former Yankee prospect, earned his 14th win of the season vs. just six losses, allowing just three runs in seven strong innings. Mickey Storey (1-9) suffered the loss out of the Somerset pen, surrendering four runs in just two-thirds of an inning.

"Obviously it was a tough day at the office, but at the end of the day we get to play baseball," said Somerset second baseman Eric Farris who had three hits in the nightcap.

With the win, the Bluefish, who must win the Liberty Division second-half title in order to qualify for the postseason, improved to 34-31 (64-71 overall), and crept to within two games of the division-leading Patriots, who slipped to 36-29 (74-61 overall). The two teams will go at it again tonight with another “must win” game for the Bluefish. Wednesday’s are “Kids Eat Cheap” nights when kids get a hot dog, chips and fountain drink for just two dollars (one voucher per child given upon entrance to the ballpark). Tickets are available at the Bridgeport Bluefish box office, by calling, 230-210-BLUE, or by clicking HERE.

Atlantic League Tops 2M in 2016 Attendance

On Monday, the Atlantic League announced that attendance topped the 2 million mark in 2016. Since its inception in 1998, the league has drawn over 36 million fans. Over 1.9 million fans have attended ALPB games for 12 consecutive seasons.

“Reaching these two milestones is something that we are extremely proud of,” says Atlantic League President Rick White. “Fans in all eight of our cities have shown great support for our clubs and continue to enjoy high levels of baseball and family entertainment on a daily basis.”

This marks the fifth consecutive season—and the eighth time in nine seasons—that Atlantic League attendance has broken the 2 million barrier. The Long Island Ducks lead the league with an average attendance of 5,265.

Raffy Strikes Gold

Raffy Lopez, a member of the 2016 Bridgeport Bluefish, was called up to the major leagues on Saturday by the Cincinnati Reds. This will be Lopez’s second go-round in the big leagues, having played seven games with the Chicago Cubs in 2014.

Lopez was hitting .213 with one home run and 17 RBIs in 47 games with AAA Louisville at the time of his call-up. The catcher played in seven games with Bridgeport this season, and hit .250 with two RBIs and two runs scored before he had his contract purchased by the Cincinnati organization. He becomes is the 10th member of the ‘Fish to make it back to the majors, joining Brady Raggio, Jose Offerman, Jason Simontacchi, Adam Greenberg, Brock Peterson, Logan Kensing, Daniel Stange and Julio DePaula.

“It’s great to see Raffy receive this opportunity,” said Bluefish manager Luis Rodriguez. “He was a great player for us at the beginning of the season, and we wish him the best of luck in the major leagues.”