Dotel’s Grand Slam Leads The Effort
(Bridgeport, CT– July 22, 2016) – The Bridgeport Bluefish (9-6, 39-46) defeated the New Britain Bees (5-10, 41-44) 10-3 at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard on Friday evening. The ‘Fish compiled ten unanswered runs in the ballgame, marking the 17th come-from-behind-win for the club in 2016, and the fifth victory on the campaign when trailing by three runs or more. Bridgeport now leads the season series against the New Britain 8-7.
Bridgeport Starting Pitcher Jonathan Albaladejo (9-3) continues to lead the Atlantic League in wins, picking up his ninth of the season, allowing three runs on ten hits in seven innings on the mound, striking out six batters in the process. New Britain Starting Pitcher Brian Dupra (4-3) was tagged with the loss, surrendering five runs on six hits in two innings on the mound, walking and striking one and allowing a home run.
The Bees opened up the game by taking a 1-0 in the top of the first inning against Albaladejo, as Jovan Rosa doubled to send Greg Golson in with the game’s first run. The Bees added to their lead in the second inning, plating a pair to extend their advantage to 3-0. Jake McGuiggan smacked a double with one out that plated Jonathan Roof. Nick Murphy then scored on the next at-bat off Greg Golson’s fielder’s choice that Luis Hernandez attempted to throw home to Rossmel Perez but it was too high as the error added an insurance run for the visitors.
Bridgeport would climb back into the game in the bottom of the second inning as a single by Luis Nunez allowed Jose Cuevas to cross the plate to cut the Bluefish deficit to 3-1. The bottom of the third inning began with the ‘Fish loading the bases with singles from the first three batters, the third of which caused Bees second-baseman Jonathan Roof to be ejected from the game after arguing the ruling that Endy Chavez was safe at first base on a bunt. Bridgeport then took the lead in stunning fashion, as Welington Dotel came up to bat and drilled a ball over the batter’s eye in straightaway centerfield, collecting his fourth home run of the year and the first grand slam for Bridgeport in 2016. From that point on the Bluefish never looked back, not allowing the Bees to put up a single run for the duration of the game. Anthony Giansanti extended the Bridgeport lead in the fourth inning with his fifth big-fly of the season off Bees reliever Nate Roe. The fifth inning was highlighted by a run-scoring single from Nunez, sending home Cuevas to increase the lead to 7-3. With Perez at second base in the bottom of the sixth inning and one out, Hernandez laced a ball directly to Anthony Hewitt at second base that he was unable to field cleanly, resulting in an error that allowed Perez to score, making it 8-3 Bridgeport. The ‘Fish put up the final two runs of the contest in the bottom of the seventh, with Perez and Giansanti each driving in runs to give the game its final score of 10-3. Cuevas and Giansanti led the offensive efforts for the Bluefish with three hits each. Photo provided courtesy of Dave Csordas.
Bridgeport continues their series with the New Britain Bees at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard on Saturday, July 23rd. First pitch is scheduled for 6:12 P.M. It will be Faith and Family Night at the ballpark and will include a post-game 3D Fireworks Extravaganza, presented by Family Vision Centers. 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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