Game 102: Bluefish 10-2

AT BRIDGEPORT BLUEFISH
Matt Beech (10-7, 4.66 ERA) vs.
Rob Henkel (6-8, 5.24 ERA)

Despite playing two games that went 19 innings and lasted 6 hours and 48 minutes Thursday night, the Barnstormers went nowhere. They are still two games under .500 and they still trail York by four games in the loss column. Failing to sweep that doubleheader really hurt, especially with the way it taxed the team’s pitching staff.

Pre-game notes:

– Before Beech became famous for getting attacked by Jose Offerman, Bridgeport’s pitcher was known in Lancaster for baffling the Barnstormers. Beech is 3-1 with a 2.10 ERA in four games, including two starts in which he allowed one hit in seven innings.

– This is the sixth consecutive game in which the Barnstormers have faced a left-handed starter — which has put the spotlight on Lancaster’s lefty-heavy lineup. The Barnstormers have needed a right-handed power bat all season and — except for Felix Jose’s cameo — they haven’t gotten one. In fact, BASA is back to ignoring the defending champs, who haven’t added to their roster since July 29.

– BASA’s record on the whole isn’t very good. Of their four teams, only Camden has a winning overall record and only York has a winning record in the second half. Each team under the BASA umbrella, including Bridgeport, has endured long stretches of awful play . This is further evidence the arrangement needs to be altered — if not overhauled.

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FINAL: Bluefish 10, Barnstormers 2

RECORD: 18-21 (47-55)

PLAYER OF THE GAME: Matt Beech (8 innings, 8 hits, 2 runs). It was Beech’s first start since Jose Offerman’s bat attack on Aug. 17. The former big leaguer still owns the Barnstormers. He’s 4-1 with a 2.14 ERA against them this season.

SOME DETAILS: Another lefty handcuffed the Barnstormers. Lancaster is 2-4 during this road trip and has faced lefty starters in each game. The team’s vulnerability was exposed. Again.

*Rob Henkel didn’t have it. Lancaster’s starter couldn’t escape the fourth. He allowed seven runs in 3 1/3 inning as he fell to 6-9. It has been a long summer for Henkel, who was pitching for the Pawtucket Red Sox this time last year.

*Ryan Harris took one for the team. After pitching 3 1/3 innings the previous two nights, Harris grinded through 2 2/3 innings in this one to help save the rest of the bullpen.

*The Barnstormers still have four games on this 10-game road trip. They have lost two of three to Bridgeport, which was in last place – behind the Road Warriors – when this series began. Playoff hopes could best be described as flickering at this point.

DIVISION RACE: Somerset defeated the Road Warriors 3-2 and Newark beat York 10-7. That means the Patriots have taken over sole possession of first place by a half-game. The Barnstormers are five games out.