Bluefish enter All Star break above .500

Three More Hits For Rodriguez, Kubiak Notches Another Quality Start

DAVID KUBIAK

(New Britain) – The Bridgeport Bluefish (4-3, 34-43) defeated the New Britain Bees (3-4, 39-38) 5-1 at New Britain Stadium on Sunday afternoon in the finale of a four-game weekend series between intrastate and Liberty Division rivals. Bridgeport earns a split of the series by winning the final two contests, and head into the All-Star Break on a very positive note as Jose Cuevas, Jonathan Galvez, Rossmel Perez, Jonathan Albaladejo, and Jimmy Patterson will all represent the ‘Fish proud in the Midsummer Classic at Clipper Magazine Stadium in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on Wednesday night.

Bridgeport Starting Pitcher David Kubiak (3-1) was tremendous once again on the hill, allowing just one run on five hits in six and two-thirds innings of work, walking one, striking out five and hitting a batter. The right-hander collects his second quality start in just three appearances when called upon to begin a game for Bridgeport Manager Luis Rodriguez. New Britain Starting Pitcher Jarret Leverett (2-4) was tagged with the loss, lasting six innings, surrendering two runs on ten hits, striking out three while throwing a wild pitch and giving up a home run.

Bridgeport took a 1-0 lead off Leverett in the top half of the fourth inning to get the scoring started. Endy Chavez led off the frame with an infield single, and Welington Dotel followed with a base knock of his own to put runners at first and second with nobody out. With runners at the corners and one man down, Galvez showed why he was worthy of an All-Star nod as reached on an RBI infield single, bringing home Chavez with the game’s first run. The All-Stars were at it again in the top of the sixth as Cuevas made it 2-0 in favor of the visitors with a one out solo home to left center field off Leverett, his eighth big fly of the season and 45th run batted in, both tops on the ballclub.

Kubiak was yet to allow a run as he came out for his seventh inning of work, but New Britain was finally able to get something going after the fans stretched out their arms and legs. Greg Gloson singled with one out, and stole second base. Anthony Hewitt laced a two out run-scoring base hit, and as Golson crossed the plate all of a sudden the Bridgeport lead was cut in half at 2-1. With the tying-run at first base and the lead run at the plate in Nick Murphy, Sam Gervacio was summoned out of the Bluefish bullpen. Gervacio did not even need to face Murphy as the potential Bees rally came to a crashing halt when Jose Gil threw out Hewitt on a stolen base attempt as Luis Nunez slapped the tag on the speedy New Britain baserunner to end the threat. Clinging to a one-run cushion, Bridgeport looked for some insurance against Anthony Marzi in the top of the ninth, and that is exactly what they got. Nunez led off with a double, and Gill followed with a walk. Angelys Nina dropped down a sacrifice bunt, and Jon Griffin’s throw to third base in his attempt to erase the lead runner could not be handled by Jovan Rosa, allowing Nunez to score to make it 3-1 in favor of the ‘Fish while Gil moved to third and Nina advanced to second. With the infield forced to come in, Luis Hernandez put the icing on the cake with a two-run single to left, plating Gil and Nina to make it 5-2 in favor of Bridgeport, as they won their second straight game in the Hardware City after losing their previous five contests at the home of the Bees. Hernandez had three hits on the day, extending his hitting streak to a season-high 13 consecutive games. The ‘Fish infielder now has a team-leading 25 multi-hit games in 2016. Hernandez and Cuevas led the way for Bridgeport with three hits apiece. Photo provided courtesy of Dave Csordas.

The Bluefish now enjoy four days off for the All-Star Break before making their return to The Ballpark at Harbor Yard on Friday, July 15th as they open up a four-game weekend wraparound series by welcoming in the Sugar Land Skeeters to the Park City. First pitch is scheduled for 7:12 P.M. It will be Bridal Night at the ballpark, as well as Renew Your Vows Night. There will also be a T-shirt giveaway presented by Chaves Bakery.