Juinior Spivey, the leading hitter in the Atlantic League, has sparked the potent Bluefish offense thoughout the first half of the season.

The Bridgeport Bluefish trio of top starting pitchers have not only kept the majority of games within reach, but have also etched their names as the top three league leaders in wins.

Oddly enough, the hurlers, who have recorded six victories apiece, have appeared to be just a boring intermission between the circus of runs and offensive onslaught the Bluefish lineup has executed for the better part of this campaign.

Jesse Hoorelbeke's 4-for-5, three RBI, two run, and two home run performance last night is the type of line that was looked upon as amazing. But since so many members of the Atlantic League's Murderer's Row have accomplished such feats (give or take), it's no surprise that another opposing pitcher was torched.

The Bluefish have scored 270 runs in 42 games. The team closest to them in runs scored is the Somerset Patriots with 343. How this team has lost 14 games while scoring an average of 6.4 runs per contest this year is remarkable.

Maybe it's the six players in the regular Bridgeport Nine that have batting averages over .320. Maybe it's the laid-back aura that new manager Tommy John spreads throughout the clubhouse. Or maybe it's a tremendous byproduct of BASA's systems.

Whatever the reasoning behind the lineup's capabilities to turn former Major League pitchers, such as Long Island Ducks ace John Halama, into mound casualties is surely working.

Working towards a playoff spot, that is.

With 20 games left before the All-Star break, and still just one game ahead of the Long Island Ducks in the North Division racer, the Fish will ride the scorching bats of their lineup and utilize their strength of schedule.

Bridgeport's powerful lineup, which sports four players in the league's top 10 in batting, will have a much easier highway to claiming the first-half title than the Ducks. Taking on the basement dwellers of both the North and South divisions will not only enhance the chances of holding off the pesky Quack Pack, but build momentum for second half challenges.

After all, first-half win or not, the second half needs to be played prior to the playoffs.

Jay Caliguiri (.338 average with 2 home runs and 21 RBIs) has hit his way to a complete 180-degree turnaround. At the beginning of the season, his average dipped so low, that the Mendoza line seemed unachievable. Lately, his torrid play has the third baseman/outfielder sitting as third in the Atlantic League in average.

Junior Spivey, who is second in hitting ahead of Caliguiri courtesy of his .363 average, has been a spark plug all season long and will continue to hit (not to mention be foolishly looked over by Major League scouts). Angel Espada's (.330 average) hamstring injury is history and has joined Nick Ortiz (.280 average with one home run and 21 RBIs) to form possibly the best middle infield in the league. Even catcher Tommy Rojas (.250 average) has turned the heat up lately.

Horrelbeke's efforts finally have been loud enough to hear, as of last night. He has also found his way as one of the four league leading hitters (.328 average with six home runs and 24 RBIs) despite overcoming a slight back injury a couple weeks ago.

Oh, by the way, Luis Figueroa is back too.

It sounds like this team is clicking on all cylinders and the paramount hasn't been reached.

This week will prove to be the life-or-death period for the second place Ducks. As Bridgeport keeps winning and hitting, the Ducks have kept pace. This could change as soon as tonight, however.

Long Island will complete a three-game set against the always-talented Patriots, and then host the reigning Atlantic League champion, the Lancaster Barnstormers over the weekend.

Then, comes the possible haymaker.

The Newark Bears will welcome the Ducks for another three-game set starting Monday, and possibly escort them out of Riverfront Stadium with nothing but hopes for the second half title.

Newark's pitching has been outstanding thus far and as a team, has the potential to hose down a sizzling squad. Look no further than the second series of the season for the Fish.

Again, these terms cannot be controlled by Bridgeport. If they keep winning and hitting, like they have, who says holding off the Ducks can't be done?

It's at times like these that a one-game lead can seem so miniscule and useless.

But it can also give a hot team more breathing room through the fire than most think.