Bridgeports Juan Martinez scores winning run in bottom of the ninth on game winning single
By PAUL HERRMANN
(Bridgeport) The Bridgeport Bluefish (17-23, 39-71) defeated the Long Island Ducks (17-22, 35-66), 4-3 on Monday night in the series opener at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard.
The Ducks scored the first two runs of the game in the top of the first inning on a two RBI single by Cody Puckett. Bridgeport then answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the first inning on an RBI single by Fred Lewis. Then in the top of the third inning Long Island added a run as Adam Bailey drove in Lew Ford on an RBI double. The Bluefish then tied the game in the bottom of the third inning scoring two runs on an RBI double by Sean Burroughs who then scored on an RBI single by Lewis.
In the bottom of the ninth inning after Luis Lopez led off the inning with a walk, he was then replaced by pinch-runner Mike Richard, who was then sacrificed to second on a perfect bunt by Denny Almonte. With one out and Richard on second base Martinez ripped a single up the middle and Richard then slid in safely with the winning run as the throw from the centerfielder Ford got away from Ducks catcher Jan Vazquez.
Bridgeport starting pitcher Kyle McMillen was forced to settle for a no decision going six innings allowing three runs, seven hits and five walks with four strikeouts. Bluefish reliever Winston Abreu (2-6) picked up the win going one inning allowing one hit, no runs and one walk with two strikeouts. Long Island starting pitcher John Brownell also had to settle for a no decision going seven innings giving up three runs (two earned), six hits and two walks with four strikeouts. Ducks reliever Bob Zimmerman (1-2) suffered the loss giving the winning run, one hit and one walk in one-third of an inning.
For the Bluefish, Lewis went 2-for-4 with two RBI and Burroughs went 2-for-3 an RBI and a run scored.
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