VITTERS SINGLES BRIDGEPORT TO WIN

Barnstormers Drop Extra Inning Contest, Series

For the first time since 2012, the Bridgeport Bluefish won a series from the Lancaster Barnstormers.

Josh Vitters singled home the winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning on Thursday evening to deliver a 6-5 victory over the Barnstormers, Bridgeport’s second narrow win in the series.

With one out in the 10th, Jose Cuevas punched a single into center field off Scott Gracey (2-2).  Dan Johnson, who had come into the game defensively in the top of the inning, drew a walk on a close full count pitch, moving Cuevas to second.  Vitters roped a drive into the left center field alley to score Cuevas with the decisive run.

Bridgeport built an early 5-0 lead, largely on the bat of left fielder Jonathan Galvez.  Galvez doubled home a run off Tanner Peters in the second and scored a second run on a wild pitch.  The next inning, his line drive to left kicked up chalk, scoring two more for a 4-0 lead.  Luis Hernandez singled home Luis Nunez in the fourth for a 5-0 lead.

Lancaster’s bullpen tossed five scoreless innings to keep the club in the game.  Josh Whitaker keyed a two-run sixth off Mike Antonini with a double to left.  Josh Bell homered to right following a one-out walk to Whitaker in the eighth off Eric Niesen, cutting the lead to one.

In the ninth, Travis Witherspoon singled to left to lead off the inning against Taylor Thompson.  After Charlie Cutler flied to right for the first out, the center fielder stole second.  Kevin Ahrens walked, and Caleb Gindl delivered the tying run with a single through the right side.  However, Thompson struck out both Whitaker and Bell to preserve the tie.  

Joe Kuzia (2-0) walked Sean Halton to start the 10th, but Mike McDade grounded into a double play, taking the Barnstormers out of the inning.  

The Barnstormers are off on Friday before opening a three-game series against Somerset on Saturday.  Lancaster will send Austin Bibens-Dirkx (3-3) to the hill against right –hander Shaun Garceau (0-0).  There is an adult replica jersey giveaway while supplies last, and fireworks will follow the game.  Fans may tune into the Barnstormers YouTube Channel, beginning at 6:45.

NOTES:  McDade stretched his hitting streak to 15 with a pair of singles…Bell’s homer, his fifth of the year, was his first on the road…Gindl stretched his on-base streak to 18 games…Pete Andrelczyk threw his 14th consecutive scoreless appearance…Kevin Munson retired the side in order in the seventh in his Atlantic League debut.