Central Islip, New York – The Somerset Patriots (16-24, 58-52) bats stayed hot leading to a 7-3 win over the Long Island Ducks (21-18, 64-45). The game ended after the eighth inning due to rain on Thursday night at Bethpage Ballpark.

For the third straight game the Patriots struck in the first inning. Edwin Espinal (6) smashed a solo home run to left with two outs in the inning to set Somerset ahead 1-0.

Then in the third, Justin Pacchioli drove in a run on a double. Jimmy Paredes followed up with a two-out RBI single later in the inning to extend the Patriots lead to 3-0.

The Somerset bats were at it again in the fifth with another two out hit from Paredes. The switch hitter drove in two with a double to the right center field gap.

A sacrifice fly RBI from Espinal and an RBI single from Michael Ohlman in the sixth made it a 7-0 Patriots lead.

The Ducks scored three in the eighth with a two-run double from Deibinson Romero and an RBI single from Ramon Cabrera.

Rick Teasley (5-2) shined, pitching seven shutout innings and allowing just six hits en route to the victory.

Brian Matusz (0-2) is handed the loss after allowing five runs on eight hits in five innings of work.

The 2019 Somerset Patriots season presented by Ford continues at TD Bank Ballpark on Friday, August 23 as the Patriots host the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. For tickets, stop by the box office located at TD Bank Ballpark, call (908) 252-0700, or visit www.somersetpatriots.com.