Marzi Tosses Gem, Leads Bees Past Revs, 2-0

By Bob Phillips

Berlin native Anthony Marzi threw a masterful five-hit
shutout to lead the Bees over the York Revolution.

YORK, Pa. – It may have been a contest between two last-place teams, but the game was immensely entertaining nonetheless. Anthony Marzi threw a complete-game masterpiece, and the New Britain Bees topped the York Revolution, 2-0, before 2,137 fans at PeoplesBank Park on Monday night. It was the second complete game shutout of the season for the 24-year-old Berlin native.

The weather was scorching—the thermometer read 91 degrees at the start of the contest—and Marzi proved to be just has hot. Masterful, although not overpowering, the 24-year-old, 6-1 lefty allowed just five hits and walked only one batter, but only registered two strikeouts.

The Bees gave Marzi, a former captain at UConn, all he would need in the top of the first. James Skelton delivered a one-out single to left field, then advanced to third on a double to right by Jovan Rosa. After Craig Maddox went down swinging, Skelton was driven home on a two-out single by Bees’ second baseman Conor Bierfeldt. And that’s the way it stood for the next six innings with Marzi and York starter Victor Mateo matching goose eggs.

New Britain added an insurance run in the top of the eighth. Yusuke Kajimoto led off the inning with a walk issued by reliever Hatwin Buchanan, who had just come in to replace Mateo. The Bees’ second baseman advanced to second on a fielder’s choice, then was driven home on a double by Maddox to make it 2-0 New Britain. Marzi allowed a single in the bottom of the eighth, and a double in the ninth, but neither runner advanced and New Britain came away with the victory.

The Revs’ offense was led by Alexi Casilla with two hits, while Alonzo Harris, Isaias Tejeda and Travis Witherspoon had one apiece.

With the win, the Bees improved to 19-33, while the Revs fell to 21-31. It marked the first nine-inning complete-game shutout for the Bees pitcher since Kyle Simon blanked Somerset on June 22, 2016.

The two sides will conclude their four-game series on Thursday with first pitch set for 6:30 p.m. at PeoplesBank Park. Right-hander Jonathan Pettibone (0-2, 2.47) will start for the Bees, while righty Curtis Partch (3-3, 4.46) take to the hill for the Revs. Broadcast: The game can be viewed on the Bees’ official YouTube Channel (youtube.com/NewBritainBees) and Facebook Live (facebook.com/newbritainbees), starting at 6:15 p.m.

After a three-game weekend set in Waldorf, Md., where they will challenge the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs, the Bees return home to the cozy confines of New Britain Stadium where they will host the Sugar Land Skeeters for a four-game set starting Monday night. First pitch is slated for 6:35 p.m.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS

• Monday, June 19 vs. Sugar Land: Father’s Day Celebration/Dollar Day Monday 
• Tuesday, June 20 vs. Sugar Land: Two-Fer Tuesday 
• Wednesday, June 21 vs. Sugar Land: YMCA Fun “4” Everyone Day 
• Thursday, June 22 vs. Sugar Land: Thirsty Thursday

BEES BUZZ

• Jordan Hinshaw has recorded multiple hits in three of his last four games.
• Yusuke Kajimoto has reached base safely in nine consecutive games.
• Jovan Rosa’s first-inning double was his 16th of the season. He leads the team in that department. He also extended his consecutive games played for the Bees streak to 192, and his overall consecutive games played streak to 215, including postseason.
• Although Yusuke Kajimoto’s hitting streak was snapped at eight games, it tied the season high for New Britain.
• Conor Bierfeldt has recorded multiple hits in four of his last six games.

THE SKINNY

—With Staff Reports

Second-Place Bluefish Gear Up for Father’s Day Weekend

By Bob Phillips

BRIDGEPORT – If you are one of the so-called “experts” who say that Bridgeport cannot support a minor league baseball team, put this in your pipe and smoke it: At some point in the upcoming homestand, the four millionth fan in franchise history will make his or her way through the turnstiles in this, the team’s 20th anniversary season. (For the mathematically challenged among ye, that translates into approximately 208,000 paying customers per season—not exactly chopped liver, right?)

The lucky four millionth fan will receive VIP treatment, and will become a lifetime member of the Bluefish. He or she will receive a lifetime pass to all future Bluefish games at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard, a personalized Bluefish jersey, a Bluefish hat, a team-autographed baseball, an interview on the Bluefish webcast during the game, a meet-and-greet with manager Luis Rodriguez following the contest, and the opportunity to throw out a ceremonial first pitch at a future game.

Indeed, the Atlantic League—widely regarded as the top independent circuit in the United States—is having yet another xxx season at the gate, having eclipsed the 2 million mark in paid attendance already. It is the fourth consecutive season the league has drawn 2 million or more fans, and the eighth time in the past 11 seasons it has hit that impressive mark. In general, Atlantic League players are highly experienced professionals, having progressed through professional baseball’s developmental levels (A, AA, AAA). Over 40 percent of Atlantic League players have MLB service. And much like the major leagues (and unlike organized minor-league baseball), the idea is to play to win. In the minors, it’s all about player development, with winning and losing taking a back seat.

“This will be a truly exciting event during our already-historic 20^th Anniversary Season of Bluefish baseball,” says Bluefish General Manager Paul Herrmann. “We would like to thank all the fans that made this possible throughout the years and encourage everyone to take part in Bluefish history this homestand and beyond.”

The Bluefish are currently amid a six-game homestand, and will entertain the Lancaster Barnstormers tonight and tomorrow night. First pitch for both games will be at 7:12 p.m. Over the weekend, the ’Fish will entertain the Atlantic League’s lone representative from the Lone Star State—the defending champion Sugar Land Skeeters. Bridgeport is currently in second place in the Liberty Division race, just 2.5 games behind the Somerset Patriots who, with a 31-20 record, own the best record in the Atlantic League.

Promotions Galore

Tonight’s game (Wednesday) will be Military Appreciation Night. All active-duty and retired military pesons can purchase tickets for just $7. In addition, the first 250 fans through the turnstiles will receive a free Pete Rose bobblehead. For ticket information, CLICK HERE.

The rest of the upcoming promotions:

• Thursday will be “Thirsty Thursday”—just as every Thursday is at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard. This week’s special is Brewport 12-ounce drafts for $4.25. For ticket information, CLICK HERE.
• Friday will be “Freebie Friday.” The first 500 fans will receive a Bluefish card set when entering the ballpark. For more information, CLICK HERE. First pitch is at 7:12 p.m.
• Saturday will be Summer Saturday/Superheroes Night, and will be followed by a fireworks display. For ticket information, CLICK HERE. Game starts at 6:12 p.m.
• Sunday, of course, will be Father’s Day at the ballpark. All fathers are invited to participate in a pre-game Fantasy Camp & BBQ. The fantasy camp will take run from 9 a.m.-noon, and will be followed by an all-you-can eat barbeque in the Harbor Club luxury suite, upstairs behind home plate. Menu items include salad, buffalo wings, barbeque ribs, hamburgers, coleslaw, and cookies and brownies for dessert. For family members (and fathers not participating in the fantasy camp), admission is $35 which includes the Bluefish-Skeeters game, as well as the all-you-can-eat BBQ and luxury seating in the Harbor Club. Fathers participating in the Fantasy Camp will be announced on the P.A. system during the game and will see their name on the Bluefish Video Board. To make a Father’s Day reservation, call 203-210-BLUE (2583), or email tickets@bridgeportbluefish.com. First pitch will be at 1:12 p.m.

—With Staff Reports

Kvitová Commits To Connecticut Open

By Kristine M. Phillips


Three-time New Haven champ Petra Kvitová has committed to
return to Connecticut in August.

NEW HAVEN— Petra Kvitová will return to the Connecticut Open presented by United Technologies this summer as she continues her remarkable comeback to tennis after a career-threatening injury. The two-time Wimbledon champion is officially back in action after an emotional return at Roland Garros last week, and the Connecticut Open is the first tournament to secure her signature, it wasannounced today by Tournament Director Anne Worcester.
Kvitová, who will be seeking a record tying fourth title in New Haven, suffered severe lacerations to her left hand after an attack by a home intruder in December 2016, and many feared that her tennis career may be over. But the determined Czech, currently ranked No. 16 in the world, has defied medical odds by coming back to tennis a month earlier than predicted. She topped American Julia Boserup 6-3 6-2 in the first round at the French Open, before losing to American qualifier Bethanie Mattek-Sands, currently ranked No. 1 in doubles, in the second round at Roland Garros.

“Petra has shown immense courage and determination to get back on the court and her story has captured the hearts of the global tennis family but also those outside tennis,” said Worcester. “Everyone here at the Connecticut Open is delighted to have Petra coming back this summer and to be the first tournament in line means a great deal to us. I know our fans will be more eager than ever to see this inspirational champion in action and her addition to the field makes our celebration of 20 years of women’s tennis in New Haven even more special.”

A two-time Wimbledon champion and Olympic bronze medalist, Kvitová holds a 19-3 record in New Haven, winning the tournament in 2012, 2014 and 2015. Overall, the 27-year-old Czech has 19 WTA titles to her name. She joins defending New Haven champion Agnieszka Radwanska and American wild card Sloane Stephens as an early commits to the Connecticut Open, a Premier WTA event which will be held Aug. 18-26 at the Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale. Stephens recently conducted a free tennis clinic for inner-city students in New Haven.

“I'm so excited to be heading back to the Connecticut Open this summer,” said Kvitová. “Now that I've been given the green light by my doctor I can finally plan my schedule so it's great to start by confirming one of my favorite tournaments of the year. I always look forward to being back in New Haven, but it will be extra special this year after all the support I have received from the amazing fans there.”

This year marks the 20th year of women's tennis in New Haven, and the legendary Martina Navratilova will take part in the opening ceremony on Monday evening, Aug. 21, as well as a mixed doubles exhibition with fellow Grand Slam champion Mats Wilander.

Best seats for the Navratilova Exhibition and PowerShares Series men’s matches (Aug. 24-25), which will feature Tennis Hall of Famers Michael Chang and John McEnroe along with Fairfield’s James Blake and defending champion Mark Philippoussis, can be secured by purchasing a multiple-session package. These include Weeklong Box Seats (all 14 sessions), After Hours (every evening session and Saturday finals), Final Four (last four sessions, including the PowerShares Series), and Pick Four Flex (choice of four early round sessions).  For more information about the 2017 Connecticut Open (including information on becoming a tournament volunteer), or to purchase tickets, please visit www.ctopen.org, or call 203-776-7331.

—With Staff Reports

Meet the Boobsie Twins

Rob (l) and Rex Ryan have purportedly been involved in a bar brawn in
Nashville prior to Game 3 of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals.

By Bob Phillips

Bleacher Report is reporting that twin brothers Rex and Rob Ryan were apparently involved in a classic bar brawl in Nashville. According to the all-sports, all-the-time web site, Sean Gentille of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported the Ryan brothers were interacting with fans at Margaritaville in downtown Nashville on Saturday while taking part in pregame festivities prior to Game 3 of the Nashville Predators-Pittsburgh Penguins Stanley Cup Finals match-up. NHL on NBC—a program airing on both NBC and NBC Sports Network (NBCSN)—posted a video of Rex smashing a car in a Penguins motif outside Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Saturday.

The Ryan boys have a colorful history in the NFL. For starters, they are the twin sons of Buddy Ryan, himself the owner of one of the most colorful resumes in NFL coaching history.

Rex Ryan spent 10 seasons as a defensive coach with the Baltimore Ravens. Under his tutelage, the Ravens allowed fewer points and fewer rushing yards than any other team in the league. He then moved on to become head coach of the Jets, and his effect in the Big Apple was immediate: In Ryan’s first year, the Jets defense ranked No. 1 in the NFL. Indeed, the Jets envisioned Ryan as their version of Bill Belichick (he who was actually head coach of the Jets for all of 10 minutes in 2000).

But Rex was no Belichick. According to The New York Times, “(Jets GM Mike) Tannenbaum is a great believer in discretion, and initially the prospects of hiring someone as open and candid as (Rex) Ryan made him nervous. He wasn’t alone. Ryan had interviewed for several head-coaching jobs, including with the Ravens, and always he was considered too big a risk. Ryan’s appearance suggested potential loss of control; so did Baltimore newspaper articles describing the bloody mess Ryan made of a neighbor’s face after an argument in 2002.”

Rex Ryan moved on the Buffalo where he was hired as 18th head coach of the Bills in 2015.

Rob Ryan, too, has a flamboyant history. Indeed, when he was hired by Dallas in 2011 as the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator, word on the street was that the ’Boys had gotten themselves a verifiable ringer—someone that would be leading the Dallas defense back to past glory for many years to come. But in his first season in “Big D,” the Cowboys ranked 14th in yards-per-game and 16th in points-per-game in the 32-team NFL. The next season was even worse. Dallas ranked 19th in yards-per-game and 24th in points-per-game while only ranking No. 16 in sacks. So, on Jan. 8, 2013, the Cowboys opted to move on and showed Rob Ryan the door.

He wasn’t unemployed for long, however. In that same month, Rex Ryan was hired as defensive coordinator for the St. Louis Rams. That gig lasted exactly five days. A few weeks later, Ryan popped up as defensive coordinator of the New Orleans Saints.

Did I mention that both Ryan boys had quite a bit of Buddy in them?

Rex Ryan hired his twin brother as his defensive coordinator in Buffalo in 2016. However, that partnership was a short-lived as the Bills went 7-8 last season, and the two were shown the door simultaneously (as twins usually are) on Dec. 27.

—with staff reports

Sun Stop Stars, 85-72, in San Antonio

Courtney Williams contributed a 23-point, 10-rebound
effort off the bench to lead the Sun to a 85-77 win in
San Antonio. Williams shot a lights-out 10-for-11 from
the field. (Courtesy NBAE)

SAN ANTONIO – The Connecticut Sun closed out a three-game road trip with an 85-77 victory over the San Antonio Stars before 7,128 fans at the AT&T Center on Saturday night. The Sun were paced by Courtney Williams, who enjoyed had a career night off the Connecticut bench. Williams set career highs with 23 points and 10 rebounds—shooting the lights out with a 10-for-11 performance from the field. It was the first WNBA double-double for Williams, a second-year guard out of South Florida.

Forward Alyssa Thomas chipped in with a season-high 18 points, and tied a career-high with seven assists, while Jonquel Jones (14 rebounds, nine points) narrowly missed her third straight Double-D.

San Antonio’s Kayla McBride led all scorers with 27 points, while Kayla Alexander added 14 for the Stars, who fell to 0-7.

The Sun appeared to be cruising after three quarters, entering the final 10 minutes with a 63-51 lead. But the Stars opened the final stanza with a 9-0 run, to pull within three points—63-60—with 7:46 remaining in regulation. But after a Connecticut timeout, Thomas scored eight of the next 10 Sun points, helping to push the Connecticut advantage to nine, 73 -64.

Soon after that, Jasmine Thomas (13 points, five assists) hit a crucial three-pointer—her third of the game—with 2:51 remaining to push the Sun lead to 78-66. San Antonio would not get within 10 points until the final seconds of the contest.

For the second game in a row, the Sun were without former UConn star Morgan Tuck, sidelined with a knee contusion. Tuck was not with the team. 

With the win, Connecticut improved to 2-5—both wins coming on the road. The Sun return home to host the Atlanta Dream on Saturday when they will celebrate Pride Night at Mohegan Sun Arena. For ticket information, click HERE.

—Staff Reports