ATLANTIC LEAGUE ~ Bridgeport Drops Opener To Long Island

ATLANTIC LEAGUE of BASEBALL

OPENING DAY

THE BALLPARK AT HARBOR YARD

Bridgeport, Connecticut

HOME of the BRIDGEPORT BLUEFISH

GAME ONE FINAL

LONG ISLAND DUCKS       2

BRIDGEPORT BLUEFISH  1

11 innings

Bridgeport Lead-Off Batter; Adam Greenberg
Bottom First Inning

I visited the Ballpark at Harbor Yards in Bridgeport,Connecticut last night, where the Long Island Ducks and Bridgeport Bluefish needed extra innings to settle their first game of the 2011 Atlantic League season.  Both teams traded a run in the fourth, but the outcome wasn't decided until the eleventh inning.

In the top half of the fourth inning, Long Island's Javier Colina led-off with a double.  He moved over to third base when Ray Navarrete bounced-out to short.  John Rodriguez then singled to drive in Colina.

In Bridgeport's bottom half of the inning, Adam Greenberg drew a lead-off walk.  Danny Putnam then singled, but when Steve Moss popped to right, Putnam got doubled off first base.  Joe Borchard followed with a single scoring Greenberg to tie the score at one apiece.

Both starting pitchers pitched six quality innings and would draw no-decisions:

(DUCKS) Joselo Diaz - 6 IP; 3 Hits; 1 Earned Run; 3 BB; 6 K 

(BLUEFISH) Pat Ryan - 6 IP; 5 Hits; 1 Earned Run; 0 BB; 5 K

The Ducks scored in the top of the 11th inning.  Kennard Jones led off with a single.  He stole second and  advanced to third on an errant throw (E-2).  The Bluefish committed their second error in the inning when  Bridgeport's pitcher; Will Cunnane, fielded a topper hit by Javier Colina.  After checking the runner at third, he threw wide of first , allowing Colina to reach safely.  Ray Navarrete then doubled, scoring Kennard Jones from third.  Javier Colina was thrown out also trying to score on the play.

Into the game came former Met; Duaner Sanchez...! - to try and close-out the game for Long Island.  He walked one batter and struck out another while achieving his first save of the season for his new club.

Long Island's Bubbie Buzachero earned the victory in relief.  Javier Colina went 3 for 5.  Ray Navarrete had the game-winning RBI; double.

Bridgeport's Will Cunnane took the loss. 

 

"EXTRA-INNINGS"

Mike.BTB