The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
Bridgewater, NJ – The Somerset Patriots (20-11) defeated the Long Island Ducks (18-12) 4-3 at TD Bank Ballpark on Sunday afternoon to avoid the sweep.
The Patriots took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI groundout by Eric Farris.
Somerset extended the lead in the third inning. Trayvon Robinson launched a solo home run (3) to deep left field for his first homer since April 23rd. After Mycal Jones singled, he stole second and third base before scoring on an error during a play at the plate to make the score 3-0.
“That’s definitely a big part of my game and this team as well with guys like Scott Kelly, Eric Farris and Darwin Perez. We have to get into scoring position to do our jobs for our big bangers to drive us in,” said Jones.
Jones finished the game 1-for-2 with three runs scored, two walks and three stolen bases. The speedy utility-man is 8 for 15 (.533) in last four games played.
“I think patience at the plate has been key for me. I’m just trying to put some good at bats together to help this team win any way possible,” Jones added.
The Patriots killed a Long Island threat in the top of the fifth inning, turning the first-ever triple play in team history. The play will go down as a 5-4 triple play after Jones threw to Perez, and a hard slide on the play caused the batter to be out at first.
“It has to be a perfectly hit ball to have a chance at turning [a triple play]. Jones made a nice play on a well-hit ball and sent a good throw to Perez at second who was ready for it,” said Somerset Patriots manager Brett Jodie. “The slide was considered against the rules. I think he could have turned it. It gets you pumped up that it was the first one, but also in a big time situation.”
The Ducks got on the board in the eighth inning on an RBI single by Lew Ford to cut the lead to 3-1.
Somerset added a much-needed insurance run in the eighth on a sacrifice fly by Bryan LaHair for a 4-1 advantage.
Long Island plated two runs in the ninth inning off Gus Schlosser. RBI singles by Mike Blanke and Anthony Vega put the game in reach for the Ducks. With the tying run on second, Schlosser was able to get Fehlandt Lentini to fly out to left to end the game.
Patriots starter Darin Gorski (2-1) pitched six scoreless innings, scattering four hits to earn the win. Jack Snodgrass (3-3) suffered the loss, allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits in six innings pitched. Schlosser earned the save (1).
“We knew coming in that it was a big series. They’ve been playing some good ball and we’ve been trying to get it together as a team in all three aspects- offense, defense, and pitching. We were lucky to come out with a big win today,” Jones added.
The 2016 Somerset Patriots season presented by Ford continues at TD Bank Ballpark on Tuesday night with a 7:05 pm game against the Sugar Land Skeeters. For tickets, call 908-252-0700 or visit www.somersetpatriots.com. Download our Mobile App for free in the Apple or Android App store.
