Kubiak Dominant In 1-0 Patriots Win
Sugar Land, Texas – The Somerset Patriots (19-13) rode a dominant pitching performance from David Kubiak to a big 1-0 win over the Sugar Land Skeeters (21-13) Wednesday night at Constellation Field.
Somerset struck first for the second-straight night. With runners at first and third and one out, Mike Fransoso dropped down an RBI safety squeeze bunt down the first base line to give the Patriots the early lead. That wound up being the only run of the ballgame.
Kubiak was forced to work out of jams in the second, and fifth innings, but otherwise put together a near-complete effort.
“I think [Kubiak] just put the game on his shoulders tonight,” said Somerset Patriots manager Brett Jodie after the game. “I thought he gave us the best chance [to win] because he was throwing so well out there. It is tough to shut out that team, especially in their own backyard, so I was very impressed by Kubiak.”
“I was just trying get us a win; we really needed a win,” said Kubiak. “I threw a lot of breaking balls tonight. The changeup wasn’t as good as it has been, but the curveball was the pitch for me tonight.”
He tied a franchise record for consecutive innings pitched without allowing a run (23.0) after a scoreless fifth, before setting a new record with a scoreless sixth inning. Brett Jodie was the previous record-holder after he tossed 23.0 scoreless innings back in 2003.
“That streak is more about [Yovan Gonzalez] than me,” said Kubiak. “I’m just trying to get three outs every time I get out there, but Yovi is the one back there making sure if there is a guy on third with two outs that we are not throwing the ball in the dirt.”
Kubiak (4-0) finished the night after eight scoreless frames, scattering three walks and three hits while striking out five. He has now thrown 26-straight innings without allowing a run.
“I had no idea that I still had any record like that,” said Jodie, referring to Kubiak breaking his scoreless inning record. “I thought someone had passed it a long time ago. Well deserved by Kubiak; it’s really a great accomplishment. I remember how difficult it was for me, so it is awesome to see.”
Dallas Beeler (2-2) received the loss, allowing just one run over 6.2 innings. Mike Antonini (11) earned the save with a scoreless ninth inning.
Somerset and Sugar Land continue their seven-game series Thursday night. Southpaw Brett Oberholtzer (1-1, 7.04 ERA) takes the mound for the Patriots against Skeeters’ righty Mitch Talbot (1-2, 3.18 ERA). First pitch at Constellation Field is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. ET (7:05 p.m. CT).
The 2019 Somerset Patriots Season presented by Ford will continue on the road until Tuesday, June 4th when the team returns to TD Bank Ballpark for a 7:05 pm game against 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.