Bristol Struggles Offensively In Loss To Marthas Vineyard
After scoring in the first inning, the Blues’ offense would go quiet for the next eight innings as they lost to the Marthas Vineyard Sharks 4-2 on Wednesday night.
Jimmy Gilleran would get the start for Bristol, struggling with his command for most of the evening. The Massachusetts native issued four walks on the night and only struck out two batters over five and a third innings of work. Marthas Vineyard would get the scoring started on a double steal, with Brayden Martin coming home and Tryston Mccladdie advancing to second. Gilleran typically lobs the ball to first for his pickoff attempts, and Vineyard took advantage of this.
However, the Blues answered right back as Gavin Noriega came through with a two-run single in the bottom of the first to give Bristol a 2-1 lead. Their lead wouldn't last long, as the Sharks jumped in front again with a Mccladdie two-run shot. Mccladdie also had two walks and a run scored on the night, providing a spark in the Sharks’ offense. Gilleran would finish his outing with three earned runs and three hits allowed.
Brain Young was on the mound for the Sharks, and after allowing two runs in the first, the Rider University product settled in and finished with five strong innings and five strikeouts, getting the win. Luke Brown was electric out of the Vineyard bullpen, shutting down the Blues for the remaining four innings at Muzzy Field and earning the save. Brown only allowed one hit.
Vineyard would get a huge insurance run in the top of the eighth, with Chris Hacopian swatting a solo home run to left field. The Sharks held a two-run lead at this point and held on to it for the win. The Blues would finish the game with just six hits combined.
Bristol now sits at 11-11 on the season, remaining a game ahead of the Valley Blue Sox (9-11) for first place in the West Division.
The Blues will face off against the North Adams SteepleCats (9-12) for a big in-division matchup at Wahconah Park on Friday. Bristol is currently a game and a half ahead of them, looking to add to their division lead. The first pitch will be at 6:30 p.m.
Written by Gavin Murray
