Bridgeport, CT – The Somerset Patriots (37-29, 75-61) blanked the Bridgeport Bluefish (34-32, 64-72) 1-0 Wednesday evening at Harbor Yard.
In the top of the first inning All-Star Bryan LaHair ripped a run scoring double to give Somerset a 1-0 lead.
Nik Turley (5-1) earned the win tossing six scoreless innings. Chris Rearick (5-5) suffered the loss. Jon Hunton notched his league leading 36th save.
“This is the best time of year because everything is on the line,” said Turley who has five wins in eight starts. “Personally I love to rise to the occasion and compete in big moments.”
The game ended with the tying run being thrown out at home plate. Jose Cuevas grounded a slow roller to third baseman Josh Mazzola who bobbled the ball initially. He recovered, threw low to first as the runner was safe. LaHair, the first baseman, fired home and Yovan Gonzalez and Scott Kelly tagged pinch runner Angelys Nina out between third base and home plate in a run down.
“That was a wild sequence right there but I’m just lucky to have great teammates to help me out,” said Mazzola who was one of a handful of late season acquisitions by the Patriots.
Somerset’s Magic Number on Bridgeport is 2 and Magic Number on New Britain is 1.
The 2016 Somerset Patriots season presented by Ford continues on the road as the team concludes their 19th year of professional baseball. For information, call 908-252-0700 or visit www.somersetpatriots.com. Download our Mobile App for free in the Apple or Android App store.