Beavan Victorious In Game One, Three Hits For Nina In The Nightcap
(Bridgeport, CT– July 26, 2016) – The Bridgeport Bluefish (11-8, 41-48) split a single admission doubleheader with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs (8-11, 34-54) at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard on Tuesday afternoon. Bridgeport won game one 4-2 in seven innings, while Southern Maryland took game two 6-4 which was also slated for seven innings. The twin-bill was scheduled after the opener of the three-game set was postponed due to rain last evening.
In Game Number One, Bridgeport Starting Pitcher Blake Beavan (4-3) was victorious, allowing just two runs on five hits in six innings of work, walking one and striking out five. The right-hander collected his sixth quality start, and improved to 3-0 against the Blue Crabs in 2016. Southern Maryland Starting Pitcher Tim Sexton (2-5) was tagged with the loss, surrendering four runs on six hits in six innings pitched, walking three, striking out two and hitting a batter. Jose Veras fired a scoreless inning of relief while striking out one to notch his fifth save of the season.
Bridgeport went to work immediately against Sexton in the home half of the first inning, sending seven men to the plate, scoring four runs. Luis Hernandez and Endy Chavez began the rally with back to back walks. All-Star Jose Cuevas followed with an RBI single to left field, bringing home Hernandez with the game’s first run. Fellow All-Star Jonathan Galvez then plated Chavez and Cuevas with an opposite field triple to right to make it 3-0 in favor of the ‘Fish. With runners at the corners and still nobody out, Luis Rodriguez bounced into a 3-6-1 double play, but Galvez scored in the process to give Bridgeport a 4-0 cushion. Southern Maryland would cut the deficit in half against Beavan in the top of the fourth inning on an RBI double by Michael Snyder and a sacrifice fly off the bat of Jamar Walton, and just like that the Blue Crabs were down a pair with the score cut to 4-2. With Jose Veras on in the top of the seventh looking to shut the door, the visitors registered a one out base runner when Alfredo Marte was hit by a pitch, but Veras retired the next two batters in succession to earn the save and had Bridgeport a two-run victory. Hernandez, Cuevas, Galvez, Jose Gil, Angelys Nina, and Anthony Giansanti each had one of the six hits for the Bluefish in the opener.
In Game Number Two, Bridgeport Starting Pitcher Joe Kuzia (3-1) suffered the loss, lasting two innings, giving up four runs on four hits, walking one and surrendering a home run. Southern Maryland Starting Pitcher Brian Burres (8-4) earned the win with six plus strong innings, allowing four runs (two earned runs) on 11 hits, walking one and striking out five. The southpaw is now tied for second in the Atlantic League in wins, lowering his ERA to just 2.77. Cody Eppley came on in the bottom of the seventh to close the game out for his 18th save of the season.
The Blue Crabs got on the board first against Kuzia in the top half of the second inning with four runs to take a 4-0 lead. Jamar Walton got the scoring started with a one out solo home run to right centerfield, his tenth roundtripper of the campaign. Trailing 6-2, the Bluefish went to work in their final turn at the plate offensively in the bottom of the seventh against Burres, who was in search of his first complete game of the season. Galvez reached on an error by Garcia to open up the frame. Welington Dotel and Cuevas each singled, bringing the tying run to the plate. On came Eppley, and Luis Nunez bounced into a double play to make it 6-3. Nina followed with an RBI double scoring Dotel. Rossmel Perez then bounced back to Eppley, and the visitors were able to hang on 6-4 to gain the split. Nina led the offensive attack for the Bluefish in Game Two with three hits. The Bluefish lost today’s second game, but with Serv Pro IT’S LIKE IT NEVER EVEN HAPPENED because of Serv Pro’s amazing staff and attention to detail. Visit their website at www.servprostamford.com. Photo provided courtesy of Dave Csordas.
Bridgeport wraps up their series with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard on Wednesday, July 27th.First pitch is scheduled for 7:12 P.M. 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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