Isaac Hess is a Newark Bear

Shortly after the Calgary Vipers wrapped up the GBL championship, Isaac Hess was signed by the playoff-bound Newark Bears of the Atlantic League. The Bears are the third independent team for Hess in 2009, after playing most of the season with the Seals and then participating in the GBL playoffs with Calgary.

Hess picked up a three-inning save in his only regular season appearance with Newark. On Friday night, he was given the start in Game 2 of the Freedom Division Championship Series after his team dropped the opener to the Somerset Patriots. Hess took to the mound in front of an Atlantic League playoff record crowd of 7,647 fans and he pitched a great game, giving up only 1 earned run and 2 hits in 6 1/3 innings. Unfortunately, Hess was given no offensive support and he took the loss in a 5-0 decision to the Patriots.

The Bears rallied from a 9-run deficit on Saturday night to avoid elimination and win 13-12. Game 4 of the best-of-5 series goes Sunday. If the Bears can come back to win the series, Hess will pitch into October in the Atlantic League's championship series.

The Newark Bears are managed by ex-Expo Tim Raines and they recently announced the hiring of Dwight Gooden as Senior VP. The Bears also feature ex-major leaguers Carl Everett and Rob Mackowiak.