Bridgewater, NJ- Kyle Roller went deep twice to lead the Somerset Patriots (6-7, 48-35) to a 5-1 win over the New Britain Bees (6-7, 32-51) at TD Bank Ballpark on Thursday evening.
The Patriots took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning on an RBI single by Aharon Eggleston before a 91-minute rain delay ensued in the fourth inning.
When game resumed, Roller launched a two-run home run (11) over the scoreboard in the bottom of the sixth inning to give Somerset a 3-0 lead.
“I just go up there and try to put a good swing on the ball,” said Roller. “Luckily I was able to put good wood on it. My goal is to go gap-to-gap and if it goes out great.”
The Bees got on the board in the top of the seventh inning on a sacrifice fly by Michael Baca to cut the lead to 3-1.
Roller smacked his second two-run shot (12) in the bottom of the eighth inning for the 5-1 final.
“I had an idea he was going to throw me a cutter. He threw me a fastball away, which worked with what I was trying to do. It was short out there and it went out,” Roller said.
A.J. Achter (1-0) got the win with two scoreless innings pitched. Kyle Simon (6-7) suffered the loss, allowing five runs (four earned) on 11 hits in a complete game effort.
The 2017 Somerset Patriots Season presented by Ford will continue at home on Friday night with a 7:05 pm game against the New Britain Bees. The game includes BBQ Aprons (1st 1,000 Adults) courtesy of Fras-Air/ General Service Experts and Christmas In July Night. For tickets, visit www.somersetpatriots.com.