Walton Launches New Britain’s First Grand Slam Of The Season In Defeat

(Central Islip, NY– July 19, 2018) – The Long Island Ducks (6-3, 36-36) defeated the New Britain Bees (4-5, 37-35) 9-8 in walk-off fashion at Bethpage Ballpark on Thursday evening in the rubber game of a three-game midweek series between Liberty Division rivals. The Bees suffer their second consecutive series loss in the Post All-Star Break portion of the 2018 Atlantic League of Professional Baseball regular season schedule.

New Britain starting pitcher Mark Hamburger registered a no-decision  after surrendering six runs (five earned runs) on ten hits (one home run) over five innings pitched, walking two and striking out three. Long Island starting pitcher Bennett Parry also did not factor in the game’s final outcome, allowing three runs on seven hits across six innings of work, walking one and striking out four.

Trailing 6-3 in the top half of the eighth inning, New Britain went to work versus the Long Island bullpen. Deibinson Romero began the rally with a leadoff walk, and two batters later Matt Tuiasosopo followed with a free pass of his own. When right-hander Colton Murray hit Jonathan Galvez, the bases were loaded with Bees for Jamar Walton. Ducks skipper Kevin Baez called upon southpaw Wander Perez to face the left-handed hitting Walton, and on the first pitch thrown by Perez Walton blasted a majestic go-ahead grand slam home run to right field, giving the visitors their first lead of the night 7-6. The big fly was Walton’s eighth of the campaign and first by a Bees player of the grand slam variety in 2018. Looking for insurance in the top of the ninth, that is exactly what New Britain received as Tuiasosopo cracked a solo tater to left centerfield, extending the advantage for the boys from the Hardware City to 8-6, Tuiasosopo’s fourth roundtripper on the year. In the home half of the ninth, Emilio Bonifacio plated Dan Lyons with a run-scoring base knock off losing pitcher Evan Scribner (1-2) to cut Long Island’s deficit to 8-7. After Bonifacio was thrown out by catcher Ryan Wagner at second on a stolen base attempt, the Ducks were down to their final out as Bonifacio was erased on the basepaths for just the second time in 19 overall attempts. Travis Snider kept the ballgame alive with an opposite-field triple off the wall in left just out of the reach of a leaping Tuiasosopo. With the tying-run 90 feet away and the winning run at the plate, Lew Ford was down to his final strike, but out number 27 was never recorded by Scribner as Ford sent the faithful fans of the flock home with smiles on their faces by lifting a two-run waddle-off home run to left against New Britain’s All-Star closer as Ford tallied his second-walk off home run of the season versus New Britain while handing the Bees their third walk-off loss in 2018, making a winner out of Long Island reliever Jose Cuas (1-0). Walton led the way with three hits in the losing effort. Photo provided courtesy of the New Britain Bees.

The Bees return to New Britain Stadium on Friday, July 20^th when they welcome in the Atlantic League’s Road Warriors in the opener of a three-game weekend series and the start of a six-game homestand. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 P.M. It will be another Fat Tire Friday in the Hardware City, as Fat Tire Belgian Ale Drafts will be available for just five dollars at any concession stand all night long! CLICK HERE for tickets.

About the New Britain Bees

The New Britain Bees are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at New Britain Stadium. For information on ticket packages, group outings and sponsorships call 860-826-BEES (2337) or visit NBBees.com.

About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)

The Atlantic League has been a leader in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball since 1998. Over 38 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 900 players and 50 managers and coaches have joined MLB organizations directly from the ALPB. The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment. For more information, please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.

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