THE BLUEFISH REPORT
Fish romp past Somerset in big win
If there was ever a must win game this season for the Bridgeport Bluefish, it took place Sunday afternoon at The Ball park at Harbor Yard against the Somerset Patriots. Simply put, the Fish needed a win to stay within a ½ game of the first-place Patriots in the Liberty Division or face the daunting task of trying to climb out of a big hole in the final weeks of the season.
Bridgeport rose to the task and prevailed in a 12-8 slugfest before a home crowd of 2,736.
Matt Spann worked a scoreless 2 2/3 inning for the win in his first appearance as a member of the Bluefish. The team announced Spann’s signing on Saturday. “Matt has put up some good numbers in his career and has a lot of experience in affiliated ball,” said Bridgeport manager Luis Rodriguez. “We’re glad to have him join us at this crucial time in our season as we make our playoff push.”
Spann is in his seventh season of professional baseball and first in the Atlantic League. The lefty began the 2016 campaign with High-A Potomac (Washington Nationals) of the Carolina League, where he made 20 mound appearances (five starts) and earned two victories with a 4.57 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 45.1 innings pitched. The 25-year-old began his professional career in 2010 after being selected by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 25th round of the MLB draft. He spent four seasons with the Rays before joining the Washington Nationals organization in 2014. In 131 career minor league games, Matt owns a 32-26 record with a 3.62 ERA and 378 strikeouts in 520.0 innings of work.
His win on Sunday did not come without a bit of tightrope walking, however. Spann entered the game in the top of the third inning and during his outing surrendered four hits and three walks. The southpaw struck out three and stranded seven Patriots on the base paths.
Wellington Dotel also provided a highlight reel moment, making what is arguably the greatest catch in Bridgeport Bluefish history. With the locals ahead 10-6 in the top of the sixth inning, Somerset’s Brian Lahair took Spann deep down the right field line with two out and two on. Dotel raced to the corner, planted himself in front of the foul pole and reached over the fence to rob Lahair of a three run jack.
Ironically, the closest to the spectacular grab was Endy Chavez, Bridgeport’s center fielder. Chavez is best known for the legendary catch he made in the seventh game of the 2006 National league Championship Series. Chavez jumped and reached over the left wall to rob the St. Louis Cardinals’ Scott Rolen of a home run.
Dotel also shone at the plate for the Fish, going 2-2 with a sacrifice fly, scoring a pair of runs, stealing a base and notching an RBI. Unfortunately, Dotel was forced to leave the game following the bottom of the sixth, after being plunked by Somerset pitcher Jeremy Bleich.
Starting pitcher Blake Beavan was ineffective for the Fish, giving up six earned runs and 11 hits in three innings. Bridgeport scored six times in the bottom of the third to pull ahead 9-6 and never looked back, eventually rapping out 17 hits. Sean Burroughs had a banner day at the plate for the local nine, going 4-for-5 with three doubles and two runs scored.
The Bluefish were unable to keep their winning ways on track, however, dropping a tough 4-3 comeback loss to the Bees Tuesday night in New Britain.
