After being stymied through the first seven innings by Pat Ryan, the York Revolution erupted for six runs in the eighth and went on to a 7-3 Atlantic League victory at Bridgeport on Wednesday night.

The Revs are now 8-1 on the season and will go for their third sweep in four series during the finale of the brief two-game set on Thursday morning at Harbor Yard before returning home.

Ryan retired the first 10 batters that he faced and carried a two-hitter into the eighth, leading 1-0. But the Revs tied a club record for most runs in an inning in the eighth or later, storming in front 6-1.

After Mark Ori worked a leadoff walk, Vince Harrison lined a single into right to set the table. Octavio Martinez then dropped down a sacrifice bunt, moving both runners into scoring position. Scott Grimes, at bat in a pinch-hitting role, was then hit by a pitch on Ryan’s 103rd-and-final pitch of the night, loading the bases with one out.

Reliever Antonio Alfonseca was promptly greeted with a game-changing two-run single up the middle by Chris Walker, busting up the shutout and giving the Revs the lead at the same time. Jason Botts later smoked an infield single off Alfonseca’s glove, driving in Grimes with the third run, while Walker scored the fourth run on Alfonseca’s errant throw. James Shanks applied the capper with a two-run double that split the right-center alley.

Juan Martinez drove in a tack-on run in the ninth with a sac fly to right for the 24-year-old’s first Revolution RBI. His brother Octavio doubled earlier in the inning, the 100th double of his pro career.

Revs starter Corey Thurman allowed just one run in six innings, while walking one and striking out six in a no-decision.

Jason Richardson (2-0) retired all four batters in relief to earn the win. Ronnie Morales also chipped in with two-thirds of an inning of work. R.J. Rodriguez struck out two in the ninth to finish it, despite allowing a pair of runs on three doubles.

The comeback win is the Revs’ fifth in eight victories. In four of those comebacks, they overcame a deficit in the seventh inning or later.

Matt DeSalvo starts Thursday’s morning game opposite Bridgeport lefty Paul Oseguera. First pitch is set for 10:35 a.m. at Harbor Yard.

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GAME: May 4, 2011. First pitch: 11 a.m. Place: Sovereign Bank Stadium.

 

Pitching matchup:  RHP Corey Thurman (Y) vs. RHP Nic Ungs (S).

In Thurman’s first start of the season on Friday, he pitched 5 1/3 innings, giving up just two hits and one earned run to get York’s first win of the season.

Ungs will make his first Atlantic League start of the season on Wednesday. A native of Iowa, Ungs was drafted out of Northern Iowa University in 2001 by the Marlins in the 12th round. He reached Class AAA with the Marlins in 2006. He played at Class AAA in all of 2006 and 2007 and parts of 2008 and 2010. Last season, Ungs went 1-2 in seven starts at Class AAA New Orleans with a 6.68 ERA. Ungs has a minor league career record of 71-56, a 3.64 ERA, and 769 strikeouts in 1,136 innings pitched in 216 games.

 

Who’s Hot:

—Most of York’s lineup. Out of 10 players who have seen the most action for York in the first three games, only two (Chris Walker and Van Pope) are batting under .300. Four everyday starters are batting .400 or better at the plate. That group includes second baseman Liu Rodriguez (2-for-5, run), outfielder Val Majewski (5-for-12, four runs, three RBIs), outfielder Scott Grimes (4-for-9, five runs, one home run, one RBI), and firstbaseman/DH Jason Botts (6-for-11, four runs, one home run, four RBIs).

—Somerset’s Josh Pressley and Matt Hagen. Pressley and Hagen are the only two Patriots batting over .300. Hagen is batting 3-of-9 (.333), with two runs scored, a home run, two RBIs and a walk. Pressley is 4-for-11 (.364) at the plate, with one run scored, a double, and a walk. Pressley, though, also leads the team in strikeouts (five).

—Somerset’s bullpen. Seven Patriot relievers have given up a combined four earned runs in eight innings. That’s a bit better than York’s bullpen, which has given up seven earned runs in 11 innings.

 

Who’s Cold:

—Most of Somerset’s lineup. Outside of Pressley and Hagen, everyone else is batting .250 or worse at the plate. Six players are batting under .200.

—York’s Chris Walker and Van Pope. The pair makes up the only two Revs batting under .300 after the first three games of the season. Pope is just 2-for-10 (.200), with one run scored and one strikeout. Walker is a bit better, with a .273 average (3-for-11), with two runs scored and two RBIs.

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Pitcher Chris Cody is likely in the running to fill out the starting rotation for the York Revolution.

But he didn’t do anything to help his cause on Tuesday when he started at Lancaster. After throwing a perfect first inning, Cody gave up five runs on four hits to the Barnstormers in the second inning. Despite the performance, Revs manager Andy Etchebarren said he isn’t discouraged in Cody’s ability.

“It’s still early. His breaking ball wasn’t sharp today. I’m sure he’s gonna be fine. If you look at his numbers, he’s got a minor league 3.03 ERA, so he’s gonna pitch good. I’m not worried about him at all. He just needs to get work in.”

Lancaster went on to win the contest, 9-4. The Barnstormers tacked on a run in the third inning off of pitcher Shaun Garceau, a run in the fifth inning off of pitcher Jason Richardson, and two runs in the sixth inning off of pitcher Chad Thall.

Revs relievers Ronnie Morales, Sean Stidfole, Mike DeMark and R.J. Rodriguez each pitched a scoreless inning.

At the plate, York had seven players get a hit, including outfielder Chris Walker (2-for-5, double) and firstbaseman Mark Ori (2-for-4, RBI, run scored).

The Revs will play their final exhibition game of spring training on Wednesday when they will host the Road Warriors at Sovereign Bank Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

Arrival: Outfielder James Shanks was at the game on Tuesday, but was not suited up to play. Etchebarren said after the game that Shanks will need a few days of practice and likely won’t play this weekend.

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