The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
Bridgewater, NJ- The Somerset Patriots (26-21, 61-49) defeated Road Warriors (9-38, 26-84) 5-3 at TD Bank Ballpark on Wednesday evening.
The Road Warriors took a 3-0 lead in the top of the second inning on an RBI double by Gustavo Pierre and a two-run home run by Edwin Gomez (5). 
Somerset answered with a run in the bottom of the frame on an RBI groundout by Endy Chavez to cut the lead to 3-1.
A Nate Coronado double in the bottom of the third inning closed the gap to 3-2.
The Patriots then took the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning when Justin Trapp was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and Chavez drove in another on an RBI fielder’s choice for a 4-3 advantage.
Jayce Boyd extended Somerset’s lead with an RBI single in the bottom of the seventh inning for the 5-3 final score.
“Any time you can stretch the lead, it takes pressure off [the bullpen],” said Boyd. “They can come in and do their jobs and not feel like they have to be perfect on every pitch. As we get closer to the playoffs, we are going to be in situations like that. We’ve had quality at bats and all that good stuff. We just have to put it all together in one piece.”
Kyle Davies (6-7) picked up the win, allowing three runs on five hits and eight strikeouts in six innings pitched. Andres Caceres (2-3) suffered the loss, allowing four runs- two earned- on five hits in six innings pitched. Ryan Kelly earned his 19th save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning pitched.
The 2018 Somerset Patriots Season presented by Ford will continue at home on Thursday, August 30th with a 7:05 pm game against the Road Warriors. The game features Fireworks presented by Njswim. For tickets, visit www.somersetpatriots.com.
