Bridgeport, CT-Dan Reichert could not outduel Tim Harikkala in yesterday’s pitching showdown, as the Bridgeport Bluefish (23-32) fell to the York Revolution (17-39) 1-0 at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard. The ‘Fish failed to sweep their second series of the season as Harikkala (2-1), in just his third start of the season, stifled Bridgeport to four hits in eight innings, while fanning nine in the final game of a three-game series.
Reichert (6-6) suffered the tough-luck loss after striking out seven in nine innings. The righty was charged with one unearned run on seven hits in his first complete game of the season.
The only run of the game came in the top of the second inning after Jason Aspito led off the inning with a base knock to centerfield and John Purdom followed with an infield single. Aspito then advanced to third on an error by first baseman Jesse Hoorelbeke. With one out, Matt Esquivel recorded his 20th RBI of the season on a fielder’s choice to second base, scoring Aspito.
The ‘Fish could not find an answer for Harikkala, who was moved up in York’s rotation as Corey Thurman will be the starting pitcher for the Freedom division in Tuesday’s Atlantic League All-Star game. Brandon Sing had three of Bridgeport’s five hits, finishing 3-for-4. Luis Lopez and Ryner Bautista had the other two hits for the ‘Fish.
Bob Zimmermann pitched a scoreless ninth inning to earn his first save of the season for the Revs.
Yesterday’s loss gave Reichert two consecutive losses since winning four straight games from May 26-June 11. On June 16, he held the Lancaster Barnstormers in check through six innings, retiring nine straight batters at one point, but back-to-back hits by Danny Bravo and Ryan Mulhern in the seventh inning gave the Barnstormers a 1-0 lead against Reichert. The former Major Leaguer finished with two strikeouts in seven and one-third innings of work, allowing four runs on seven hits and three walks.
In the top of the ninth, Sing hit his league-leading 11th home run to left field.
On Friday, Atlantic League All-Star Esteban Yan (5-2) gave up just one run on five hits and one walk, leading the Bridgeport Bluefish to a 4-1 victory over the York Revolution. Yan struck out one and breezed through the York lineup on just 90 pitches for the game. It was Yan’s sixth quality start of the season.
Adam Greenberg gave Yan all the support he needed, going 2-for-5 with two runs and a season-high three stolen bases. Greenberg led off the bottom of the third inning with a single through the right side and then proceeded to steal second and third base. The centerfielder then scored on a pass ball by York catcher Josh Johnson.
Ryan Radmanovich chipped in with two hits and one RBI as eight of the ten Bluefish batters contributed to the 10-hit outing.
Andy Weimer entered in the ninth inning to shut the door for the ‘Fish. Weimer pitched a scoreless ninth frame to earn his second save of the season while striking out one and giving up one walk.
Todd Davison was the unlikely hero Saturday night, leading the Bluefish to their second straight victory over the Revs. Davison scored both the game tying and game winning runs in a 5-4 extra inning victory at a wet Ballpark at Harbor Yard. Davison led off the bottom of the 11th inning with a single to right centerfield off Chris Britton (0-2). Greenberg then advanced Davison to second on a sacrifice bunt down the first base side. Tyrone Pendergrass proceeded to hit a single to York second baseman George Sandel, however, he was charged for an error as he flipped the ball past first baseman John Purdom, scoring Davison and giving the Bluefish their second walk-off victory of the year.
Matt Pike (3-3) pitched two innings of extra-inning baseball to earn the victory. Pike fanned two in two innings and allowed one hit and one walk.
With the rain starting to pick up significantly in the bottom of the sixth inning, Davison (3-for-5, 2 runs scored) hit a one-out single to left field off of York relief pitcher Travis Phelps. Greenberg followed with a game-tying RBI triple to left field. The outfielder finished 1-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI.
Gary Knotts was a workhorse on the mound for the Bluefish, throwing 137 pitches in nine innings. Knotts allowed four runs on nine hits and three walks while striking out seven. In the top of the eighth, Knotts continued to shine, striking out Purdom on a nasty curve ball.
Knotts’ arm was certainly fresh after being ejected on June 15 after seven pitches against Lancaster. Every member of the Bluefish recorded a hit, and Bridgeport’s offense erupted in a 13-10 victory. Lopez and Greenberg led the way at the plate. Lopez finished 3-for-5 with three RBI, a run scored and a home run while Greenberg chipped in with a 3-for-6 outing with three runs, a stolen base and an RBI.
Andy Cavazos earned the win pitching two innings, giving up one run on three hits and three walks, striking out two. Rick Asadoorian struck out the side in the ninth inning to earn his first save of the season.
On June 18, the ‘Fish were swept in a doubleheader by the Barnstormers. Corey Lee (2-5) suffered the loss in game one, getting chased after four and two-thirds innings allowing three runs on three hits and six walks, striking out five. Bridgeport was defeated 6-2 in game one.
In game two, Bridgeport fell 6-5 in eight innings. Asadoorian got the loss after giving up three hits and a walk in two innings. Jesse Hoorelbeke finished 3-for-4 with his second home run of the season, two RBI and a run scored.
The Bluefish enter this week’s All-Star break 10 games back of first-place Southern Maryland before resuming their season Thursday at Newark.
The Week Ahead
Tuesday June 23 Atlantic League All-Star Game
Player to Watch: New York Giants defensive tackle Justin Tuck and MLB Hall of famer Harold Reynolds are two of many well-known celebrities taking part in the celebrity softball game kicking off at 5:15 p.m.
June 25-28 at Newark Bears
Player to Watch: Designated Hitter Carl Everett has gone 5-for-15 (.333) with five RBI, six walks and two home runs against the Bluefish in five games this season. The slugger has a .800 slugging percentage against the ‘Fish and ranks second in the league with a .426 on-base percentage.
‘Fish Facts
Who’s Hot: Atlantic League All-Star Brandon Sing is 13-for-30 (.433) in his last ten games with seven runs, nine RBI and three home runs. Sing leads the league with 11 home runs this season.
Who’s Not: West Hartford native Ryan Radmanovich is 2-for-19 (.105) in his last five games with one RBI.
Off to Newark: Matt Pike was added to the Liberty Division roster on Saturday for the 2009 Atlantic League All-Star game this Tuesday in Newark. Pike has pitched 19.2 innings with 18 strikeouts and has a 1.83 ERA. Pike joins Esteban Yan, Andy Weimer, Brandon Sing and Luis Lopez as Bridgeport representatives in this year’s All-Star game.
Need to Score: Bridgeport is 3-26 when they score three runs or less and are 3-22 when they are out hit by their opponent.
Leading the ‘Pen: Andy Weimer earned his second save of the season on Friday night and has lowered his ERA to a team-leading 0.98. With the season-long struggles at the backend of the bullpen, Weimer may begin to see more time in the ninth inning. The All-Star has held opponents to a .217 batting average in 18.1 innings this season.
Plefka waiting Patiently: It has been 15 days since Jon Plefka pitched for the Bridgeport Bluefish. In his last appearance on June 7, Plefka pitched 1.2 innings of scoreless ball, giving up two hits and two walks. His ERA now sits at 2.20 in ten games this season.
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