Bridgeport, Conn. – The Somerset Patriots (12-6) rallied for two runs in the top of the ninth inning, but their comeback ultimately fell short as the Bridgeport Bluefish (10-8) took Tuesday night’s series-opener 4-2 at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard.

Bridgeport got the scoring started in the bottom of the third inning on a two-out RBI single off the bat of Alberto Callaspo. The Bluefish later added three runs in the bottom of the sixth on a Daniel Fields two-run double and a Tony Abreu sacrifice fly.

A two-out rally in the ninth, highlighted by a two-out, two-run single from Aharon Eggleston, trimmed the deficit to 4-2. The rally ended there when Bluefish closer David Carpenter (8) entered the game and got Olmo Rosario to pop out to end the ballgame.

Eggleston finished the day 3-4 with a stolen base and two RBI.

“It doesn’t really matter what I do if we do not win,” said Eggleston. “Our pitchers have been great out there, and we need to do a better job of helping them out and getting them more run support. It’s nice to get a couple of hits, but it wasn’t enough tonight.”

Tyler Badamo (1-1) earned the win after he tossed six scoreless innings on three hits with two strikeouts and two walks. Mitch Atkins (2-2) took the loss, yielding one run over five innings on six hits with six strikeouts. Carpenter earned his eighth save of the year with a scoreless third-of-an-inning.

Somerset continues it’s series against Bridgeport with a single-admission doubleheader on Wednesday. Right-handed pitcher David Kubiak (0-2, 4.90 ERA) starts game one against Bluefish righty Cory Riordan (1-1, 3.50 ERA). Southpaw Aaron Laffey (1-1, 2.64 ERA) takes the mound for the Patriots in game two against Bridgeport righty Jonathan Albaladejo (2-0, 2.89 ERA).

Tickets to the 2017 Somerset Patriots Season presented by Ford, which includes the team’s 20th Anniversary, are on sale now. TD Bank Ballpark will be the host of the 2017 Atlantic League All-Star Game presented by RWJBarnabas Health and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey on Wednesday, July 12^th. For more information, stop by the ballpark, call (908) 252-0700, or visit www.somersetpatriots.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 36 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 800 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 to metropolitan markets serving nearly 15% of the US population.

For more information, please visit www.atlanticleague.com.