Bullpen Tosses Four Scoreless Frames

(New Britain, CT – August 1, 2019) – The Long Island Ducks (10-9, 53-36) defeated the New Britain Bees (7-12, 42-46) 6-4 at New Britain Stadium on Thursday night to take the rubber game of a three-game midweek series in the Constitution State.

New Britain starting pitcher Akeel Morris (2-2) suffered the loss after allowing six runs on eight hits over five innings pitched, walking four while striking out two and hitting a batter. Long Island starting pitcher Vin Mazzaro (4-4) earned the win, giving up four runs (three earned runs) on six hits in five innings on the mound, walking one, striking out four, tossing a wild pitch and hitting a batter. Michael Tonkin closed the ballgame out for his fifth save of the season.

Long Island took a 1-0 advantage against Morris three hitters into the matchup courtesy of an RBI base knock off the bat of T.J. Rivera that plated D’Arby Myers after he gave the keynote by lacing a double into the gap in left centerfield. New Britain jumped ahead 2-1 in the last of the third thanks to a two-run single from Bijan Rademacher that allowed Rando Moreno and Darren Ford to come home after Moreno was hit by a pitch and Ford reached on a two-base throwing error committed by shortstop Vladimir Frias. The Ducks responded in a big way one half inning later, batting around and scoring five runs to regain the lead 6-2, highlighted by a two-run double to the opposite-field in left by Rey Fuentes. The boys from the Hardware City got to within 6-4 in the fifth when Jonathan Galvez drove in Moreno and Ford with a two-run single, giving the 2019 Liberty Division All-Star 57 rib-eye steaks on the campaign, tying him with Welington Dotel of the York Revolution for fourth most in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. The Bees had a golden opportunity to mount a comeback after the fans stretched out their arms and legs in the seventh, loading the bases with nobody out but could not find a way to push a run across as Long Island reliever Cody Mincey induced Jason Rogers to bounce into a 5-2-3 double play and struck out Mike Carp to end the threat and preserve the two-run cushion as the Bees offense was stymied and went just 2-12 with runners in scoring position. The bullpen opened eyes once again on this Thursday evening as the trio of Sammy Gervacio, Michael Johnson, and Jim Fuller fired four scoreless innings overall, with Fuller lowering his ERA to 1.06. Ford, Rademacher, and Zach Collier each had a pair of hits in defeat. Photo provided courtesy of Paul Herrmann.

The Bees now welcome the York Revolution to New Britain Stadium on Friday, August 2^nd to begin a three-game weekend series. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 P.M. It will be another Fat Tire Friday in the Hardware City! Close out the week with some great baseball and a cold beer! Fat Tire Belgian Ale Drafts are 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)

With eight teams in the Mid-Atlantic and Texas, the ALPB is a leader in baseball innovation and a player gateway to Major League Baseball. Through its exclusive partnership with MLB, the Atlantic League tests Major League Baseball rules and equipment initiatives. The Atlantic League has sent over 900 players to MLB organizations while drawing more than 40 million fans to its affordable, family-friendly ballparks throughout its 22-year history.  For more information, please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.

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