Bluefish Win, Bees Lose

Bridgeport starting pitcher Rainy Lara improved to 6-3 on the season,
as the Bluefish topped the York Revolution, 3-2, on Monday night.

BRIDGEPORT - It was Connecticut vs. Pennsylvania in the Atlantic League last night as the Nutmeg State’s two teams took on the two teams from the Keystone State… and it turned out to be a split decision.

In Bridgeport, the Bluefish defeated the York Revolution, 3-2, before 2,286 fans at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard on Monday evening in the opener of a four-game series in the Park City. Bridgeport improves to 18-11 before the Bluefish faithful, and have now won 11 of their last 14 games at home.

Bridgeport starter Rainy Lara (6-3) earned the win, allowing just two runs on eight hits in seven innings pitched. Raney walked one and struck out six batters while tossing a pair of wild pitches. The right-hander notched his seventh quality start, second-most on the team behind Cory Riordan who has eight.

York starter Jay Gause registered a no-decision. He allowed one run on two hits in five innings on the mound, walking one and striking out five. Zac Grotz retired all three batters he faced in the top half of the ninth inning for his second save of the season, striking out Jared Mitchell swinging to end the contest.

York took a 1-0 lead against Lara just three batters into the game on an RBI single by Isaias Tejeda, driving home Travis Witherspoon who led off the game with an opposite-field double to right. The Revolution opened at 2-0 advantage in the top of the fifth on Alonzo Harris’s sacrifice fly off the bat of Alonzo Harris, driving home Carlos Triunfel, who had led off the inning with a double.

Bridgeport cut the deficit in half in the home half of the fifth against on an RBI single by Jose Gil that drove home Daniel Fields, who had singled to begin the rally.

The ‘Fish took the lead for good 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh on a one-out, two-run double by Jonathan Galvez down the left field line by Jonathan Galvez off losing pitcher Chase Huchingson (2-3) that scored Gil and Andrew Lambo. The two RBIs gave Galvez a team-leading 35 on the campaign. The bullpen did the rest for the ’Fish, as Drake Britton and Grotz retired all six batters they faced, giving the boys from the Park City their 12th come-from-behind victory in 2017.

With the win—the second straight for Bridgeport—the Bluefish improved to 36-28, and are four games behind the Somerset Patriots in the Liberty Division first-half race.

The ’Fish continue their four-game series with the Revs at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard tonight, with first pitch slated for 7:12 p.m. Tuesdays are Kids Eat Cheap days at the ball park. Children 12 and under can get a hot dog, chips, and a fountain drink for just $2. (Now that’s a bang for your buck!) For tickets, click HERE.

Fourth of July Specials in the Park City

After a weekend trip to New Britain where the Bluefish and Bees will go at it in a three-game series, the ’Fish return home on Monday to once again entertain York in a four-game set. On Monday night, July 3, a fireworks spectacular will immediately follow the game. First pitch is 7:12 p.m., and tickets are available at the Bluefish box office at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard or by clicking HERE.

Then, on the holiday itself, the Bluefish will offer a special All-You-Can-Eat BBQ Package, including a ticket for the game inside the Harbor Club suite behind home plate. On the menu will be potato salad, pasta salad, hot dogs, hamburgers, and barbecue chicken, as well as water and soft drinks. Each BBQ ticket will also come with an ice cream voucher. To purchase BBQ tickets, please call the Bluefish Box Office at 203-210-BLUE (2583) or email tickets@bridgeportbluefish.com. Special $4 Box or Reserved seats are also available. First pitch is at a special 4:12 p.m. game time. For more info, click HERE.

All Bluefish games are video cast. You can watch live—or watch replays of past games—by clicking HERE.

Barnstormers Best Bees

LANCASTER, PA - Meanwhile, Anthony Marzi did his part on the mound for the New Britain Bees Monday night, the team’s offense was a different story. The Bees managed just four hits on the night off Lancaster Barnstormer starter Nate Reed and lost 3-1 before 2,215 fans at Clipper Magazine Stadium on Monday night. Reed tossed all nine innings for Lancaster. In addition to his complete-game victory, the southpaw allowed just one run on three hits, striking out 12 Bees in the process. Marzi, meanwhile, tossed seven strong innings for the Bees, allowing just two runs on 10 hits. But in the end, the lefthander from Berlin suffered the loss.

Neither team could generate much at the plate until the sixth inning when Sean Halton smacked a solo home run for Lancaster. The Barnstomers then went on to score single runs in seventh and eighth innings to seal the deal. New Britain’s lone run came in the top of the ninth on a solo home run by Jovan Rosa.

The loss dropped the Bees’ record to 25-39—fourth (and last) place in the Liberty Division and 15 games behind first-place Somerset.

New Britain remains in Lancaster where they will challenge the Barnstormers in Game 2 of a scheduled four-game set tonight. The Bees then return home to entertain the Bluefish over the weekend followed by a three-game set vs. Somerset at New Britain Stadium.

On Saturday, the first 1,500 fans through the turnstiles will receive a mini-tape measure, compliments of Stanley Tools, and a fireworks extravaganza will follow the game. Then, every Sunday is Schaller Hardware City Family Fun-Day, with a pregame autograph session from 12:40 -1 p.m., and postgame Kids Run the Bases. Monday is “Dollar Day.” Hot dogs, popcorn, chips and more are just a dollar all game at the concession stands.

Game time on July 4 is a special 2:05 start. Since the holiday falls on Tuesday, it will be a “2-fer-Tuesday” special. Fans can buy one ticket and get one free by purchasing online that day.

All 140 Bees games will be broadcast on the Bees’ official YouTube Channel, Youtube.com/NewBritainBees, as well as on Facebook Live on the Bees' official Facebook Page.

Fans are invited to join broadcaster Chris Knoblock 15 minutes prior to first pitch for the pregame show, and stick around for the post-game show after the game. A link can be found on the Bees’ Homepage.

—Staff Reports