Solo Blast From Hernandez Wins It In the Eleventh
(Bridgeport, CT– April 30, 2016) – The Bridgeport Bluefish (5-5) defeated the New Britain Bees (4-6) 5-4 at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard on Saturday afternoon on a two out walk off solo home run by Luis Hernandez in the bottom half of the eleventh inning. Bridgeport has now taken two of first three games of the home opening weekend series against their Liberty Division and new in state rivals with the finale of the homestand taking place tomorrow afternoon. The Bluefish have now won five of their last seven games overall.
Bridgeport Starting Pitcher David Anderson registered a no decision in five innings of work, allowing three runs (two earned runs) on seven hits, striking out one and surrendering one home run. New Britain Starting Pitcher Kyle Simon also did not factor in the game’s final outcome, lasting five innings, giving up two runs on seven hits, walking one and striking out two. Scott Shuman (1-0) earned the victory in relief for the ‘Fish with a scoreless inning, striking out two. Grady Wood (0-1) was tagged with the loss in three innings out of the bullpen, allowing one run on one hit, striking out four and giving up a walk off home run.
New Britain took the lead in the top half of the first inning on an RBI single by Jovan Rosa, plating Greg Golson, and three batters into the ballgame the Bees had a 1-0 edge. The visitors took a 2-0 just an inning later when Nick Murphy grounded into a 6-4-3 double play, allowing Jon Griffin to score as New Britain doubled their lead after an inning and a half. Bridgeport answered right back in the home half of the second inning, sending eight men to the plate against Simon and scoring two runs to even the contest up. The Bluefish collected five consecutive base knocks in the frame, with the final two coming on the run scoring variety by Rossmel Perez and Luis Nunez, who was making his debut in a Bridgeport uniform.
The Bees responded in the fourth on a solo home run by cleanup hitter Kevin Rivers off Anderson, as New Britian regained the lead 3-2. The boys from the “Hardware City” added an insurance run in the eighth off reliever Eric Niesen on an RBI double by Designated Hitter Craig Maddox which scored Greg Golson to give the Bees a 4-2 advantage. The Bluefish would not go down without a fight, and for the second time in the game erased a two run deficit in the bottom of the eighth when Nunez laced a two run single right through the trademark off Shawn Haviland, scoring Luis Domoromo and Carlos Sosa to tie the game up at four. The game remained deadlocked as the fans at Harbor Yard were treated to free baseball for the first time in 2016. After Shuman induced an inning ending pop out to first base by Rosa in the top half of the 11th inning, the ‘Fish went to work in the bottom half in search for their second consecutive victory. With two outs and the bases empty, Luis Hernandez, who was making just his second plate appearance in the game after entering in the bottom of the eighth inning, sent everyone home with a walk off solo home run to right field just over the outstretched arm of Kevin Rivers, and the celebration was on at home plate as Hernandez was mobbed by his teammates as Bridgeport had their first extra inning and walk off victory in 2016.Nunez led the way for Bridgeport with three of the 12 overall hits for the ‘Fish. Photo courtesy of Dave Csordas.
Bridgeport wraps up their series with the New Britain Bees at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard on Sunday, May 1st. First pitch is scheduled for 1:12 P.M. It is a Sunday Funday, kids can run the bases after the game and all fans can participate in an autograph session with the players. CLICK HERE for tickets.
The Bridgeport Bluefish are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard. For further information, call 203-210-BLUE (2583) or visit BridgeportBluefish.com
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