The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
Bridgewater, NJ – The Somerset Patriots (6-5, 44-37) defeated the Sugar Land Skeeters (6-6, 41-41) 7-5 at TD Bank Ballpark on Tuesday evening.
Trailing 5-4 in the bottom of the eighth inning, David Vidal tied up the game with an RBI single before Bryan LaHair launched the go-ahead two-run homer (7) to right field for the 7-5 final score.
“The whole lineup had great at bats tonight,” said LaHair. “We kept plucking away and I got a good pitch to hit and I’m glad I was able to do something with it.”
The Skeeters took an early lead in the first inning on a three-run home run by Delwyn Young (3) off Somerset starting pitcher Rudy Owens. After the first inning, Owens went on to pitch five scoreless innings.
“I thought Rudy pitched a great game today. He battled for us after the three early runs. He kept putting up zeroes and gave us a chance to win,” LaHair added.
The Patriots answered with a home run of their own off the bat of Vidal (8) in the second inning.
“I’m just staying within myself and getting good pitches to hit. I have to take what they give me and obviously hanging off-speed pitches have been helping me a lot,” said Vidal.
Somerset cut the lead to just one run in the sixth inning on a solo home run by Eric Farris (4) to make the score 3-2.
Sugar Land extended the lead with two runs in the seventh inning on RBI singles by Young and Ricky Hague.
The Patriots answered in the bottom of the frame with an RBI triple by Luis Mateo and an error that plated a second run to once again make it a one run ballgame.
Mike Thomas (4-1) picked up the win with 1.2 innings pitched. Andrew Johnston (5-2) took the loss, allowing two earned runs on two hits in 0.2 innings pitched. Jon Hunton earned his 21st save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning pitched.
The 2016 Somerset Patriots season presented by Ford will continue at home for a day-night double header on Wednesday with an 11:05 am game followed by a 7:05 pm game. For tickets, call 908-252-0700 or visit www.somersetpatriots.com. Download our Mobile App for free in the Apple or Android App store.
