The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
Bridgeport, CT – The Somerset Patriots (18-9) snapped their season-long four game losing streak by defeating the Bridgeport Bluefish (9-17) 6-2 Wednesday in the night cap of the day-night doubleheader. The bullpen was stellar, hurling 8.1 scoreless innings and only surrendering three hits. 14 of the final 15 Bluefish batters were retired.
“I’ve only been here for a couple of days, but I could sense we really needed a win,” said Donovan Hand, who made his Somerset debut by firing 2.1 scoreless frames. “I was called upon earlier than expected, but I just wanted to get out there because I hadn’t pitched in three weeks since I got back from playing in Taiwan.”
The Patriots trailed 2-0 after one inning of play. Both the Bluefish runs came without the benefit of a hit as Wilkin Ramirez and Carlos Sosa each drew bases loaded walks off starter Matt Bywater.
With the score remaining 2-0 in the top of the sixth inning, David Vidal would coax a full count walk. Matt Fields then belted a double to set up runners in scoring position. After a Carlos Guzman strikeout, the next three hitters- Yovan Gonzalez, Mycal Jones and Scott Kelly- would all tally RBI to make the score 3-2 in favor of Somerset.
Fields socked a two run double in the top of the seventh inning to provide insurance. He would add an RBI groundout in the ninth inning to make the contest 6-2 which would be the final. Fields now has 10 RBI in his last five games played and leads the team in RBI with 19.
The bullpen was the story though as Brandon Sisk, Kyler Newby, Jeremy McBryde and Jon Hunton each tossed a scoreless inning. Connor Little (3-0) earned the win tossing two scoreless innings.
“We just wanted to battle together out there,” Little, in his second year with Somerset, said. “We fed off each other. We just wanted to give us a chance to win because we needed one.”
Mike Antonini (2-4) sustained the loss giving up three runs on five hits in six innings pitched.
The 2016 Somerset Patriots season presented by Ford continues on the road until the team returns to TD Bank Ballpark on Friday, May 20th for a 7:05 p.m. game against the Long Island Ducks. For tickets, call 908-252-0700 or visit www.somersetpatriots.com. Download our Mobile App for free in the Apple or Android App store.
