YORK REVOLUTION vs. BRIDGEPORT BLUEFISH

2007 season opener / first ever game of York Revolution

First-year manager Tommy John couldn't provide a definitive description earlier this week of what type of team the Bridgeport Bluefish would be this season. They proved during spring training that they have the capability to be a dangerous team offensively and one that could also rely on its pitching to be successful.

While one game doesn't provide a blueprint for an entire season, the Bluefish delivered a statement in their season opener Friday. They have plenty of heart, determination and a wealth of ability throughout their lineup.

The Bluefish scored a team-record 12 runs in the sixth inning to overcome a five-run deficit and cruise to a 15-8 victory over the expansion York Revolution before 3,159 at Harbor Yard.

"It's unbelievable," second baseman Junior Spivey said. "It shows the character of these guys on this club. Yeah, we're here in independent ball. But guys really showed a lot of fight and a lot of heart and that's awesome."

The Bluefish improved to 8-2 overall in season openers and 9-1 in home openers. They sent 16 hitters to the plate in the sixth inning and pounded relievers Jason Olson, Chris Cooper (0-1) and Charlie Hesseltine for 11 hits.

Spivey went 3-for-6 with two doubles, three RBIs and three runs scored to lead a 17-hit attack by the Bluefish. Luis Figueroa added three hits, four RBIs and scored twice. Jay Caligiuri went 3-for-5 with two runs scored, while Bobby Darula and Nick Ortiz each had two hits, one RBI and scored twice.

"Up and down the lineup we have great guys," winning pitcher Justin Sturge said. "We're going to hit. In spring training, we just absolutely killed the ball and the pitchers threw well. So all in all, we've got a pretty solid team."

The Bluefish trailed 8-3 when they came to bat in the sixth. By the time Figueroa got caught in a rundown between first and second for the final out of the inning, they had turned the game into a rout in their favor. Spivey and Figueroa each had two hits and three RBIs during the marathon explosion. Spivey also scored twice.

Tommy Rojas had a two-run double. Ortiz had two hits, one RBI and scored twice.

Eight straight hitters reached base and the Bluefish scored six runs on six hits with two outs.

"I think, personally, we have some pretty good hitters on this team," Spivey said. "It's just a matter of being in sync and finding a rhythm and staying right there. Scoring six runs with two outs ... that was more impressive than anything."

Olson allowed four runs in one-third of an inning. Cooper allowed five runs (two earned) in one-third of an inning, and Hesseltine allowed three unearned runs in one-third of an inning.

The Bluefish did not suffer from the same horrific performance from their bullpen. Sturge allowed one run on one hit in three innings, striking out three and retiring the last six hitters he faced.

Garrett Berger followed with a perfect ninth for the Bluefish.

"Coming off that inning ... I actually went in the cage once and threw and then went down in the bullpen again," Sturge said. "And basically all you want to do as a pitcher when they do something like that is you want to get them in as quick as possible. So I'm just going out and trying to throw strikes."

Game & team information

Date: May 4, 2007

Division: Independent Leaague / Atlantic League

Location: Bridgeport, CT

Field: Harbor Yard

Attendance: 3,159

Starting time: 7:05 PM

Score

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

R

H

E

Revolution

0

2

2

3

0

1

0

0

0

8

11

2

Bluefish

2

0

0

0

1

12

0

0

-

15

17

0

Box scores / batting

York Revolution

AB

R

H

RBI

AVG

Tike Redman (RF)

4

0

1

1

.250

Kazunori Tanaka (RF)

1

0

0

0

.000

Vic Gutierrez (2B)

5

2

2

0

.400

Peter Bergeron (CF)

5

2

2

0

.400

Nate Espy (1B)

3

3

2

2

.667

Matt Dryer (DH)

4

1

2

4

.500

Luis Cotto (SS)

4

0

0

0

.000

Greg Brown (C)

3

0

1

1

.333

Russ Cleveland (3B)

3

0

1

0

.333

Travis Ezi (LF)

4

0

0

0

.000

York Revolution totals:

36

8

11

8

Bridgeport Bluefish

AB

R

H

RBI

AVG

Angel Espada (CF)

6

1

1

0

.167

Junior Spivey (2B)

6

3

3

3

.500

Bobby Darula (DH)

4

2

2

1

.500

Luis Figueroa (3B)

5

2

3

4

.600

Bobby Malek (RF)

4

0

1

2

.250

Jesse Hoorelbeke (1B)

5

1

1

2

.200

Jay Caligiuri (LF)

5

2

3

0

.600

Tommy Rojas (C)

2

2

1

2

.500

Nick Ortiz (SS)

4

2

2

1

.500

Bridgeport Bluefish totals:

41

15

17

15

Box scores / pitching

York Revolution

IP

H

R

ER

BB

SO

HR

ERA

Wayne Franklin

4 1/3

5

3

2

4

3

0

4.15

Matt Hirsh

2/3

0

0

0

0

1

0

0.00

Jason Olson

1/3

3

4

4

0

1

0

108.00

Chris Cooper

1/3

4

5

2

0

1

0

54.00

Charlie Hesseltine

2 1/3

5

3

0

2

3

0

0.00

Bridgeport Bluefish

IP

H

R

ER

BB

SO

HR

ERA

Matt Beach

5

10

7

7

4

3

1

12.60

Justin Sturge

3

1

1

1

1

3

0

3.00

Garrett Burger

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0.00

Additional stats

Winning Pitcher: Justin Sturge (1 - 0)

Losing Pitcher: Chris Cooper (0 - 1)

Save: none

Wild Pitch: none

Passed Ball: Greg Brown 2

Hit By Pitch: Bobby Darula (by Jason Olson), Tommy Rojas (by Charlie Hesseltine)

Strikeouts: Luis Cotto, Greg Brown, Russ Cleveland 2, Travis Ezi 2, Angel Espada, Junior Spivey 2, Bobby Darula 2, Bobby Malek, Jesse Hoorelbeke 2, Jay Caligiuri

Walks: Nate Espy 2, Matt Dryer, Greg Brown, Russ Cleveland, Bobby Darula, Luis Figueroa, Bobby Malek, Tommy Rojas 2, Nick Ortiz

Intentional Walks: none

Stolen Bases: Bobby Darula (1)

Caught Stealing: none

2B: Peter Bergeron (1), Matt Dryer 2 (1, 2), Greg Brown (1), Russ Cleveland (1), Junior Spivey 2 (1, 2), Jesse Hoorelbeke (1), Jay Caligiuri 2 (1, 2), Tommy Rojas (1)

3B: none

Home Run(s): Nate Espy (1)

Left on Base: York Revolution - 6, Bridgeport Bluefish - 10

Double plays: York Revolution - 1, Bridgeport Bluefish - 0

Errors: Luis Cotto (1), Russ Cleveland (1)

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