The Franklin Reporter & Advocate Eight Villages, One Community
Bridgewater, NJ- The Sugar Land Skeeters (28-12, 69-34) defeated the Somerset Patriots (22-19, 57-47) 9-7 at TD Bank Ballpark on Wednesday evening.
The Skeeters took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning on an RBI single by Derek Morris.
Somerset tied up the game in the bottom of the fifth inning on an error that allowed Justin Trapp to score.
Sugar Land broke the game open in the top of the sixth inning on a two-run single by Javier Betancourt, an RBI single by Barrett Barnes, and a two-run triple by Juan Silverio that made the score 7-1.
The Patriots exploded for five runs in the bottom of the eighth inning on a two-run single by Nate Coronado and a three-run home run by Ramon Flores (4) to cut the lead to 7-6.
The Skeeters answered with two runs in the top of the ninth inning on an RBI single by Denis Phipps and a sacrifice fly by Betancourt for a 9-6 advantage.
The Patriots added a run on an RBI fielder’s choice by Endy Chavez in the bottom of the ninth inning for the 9-7 final.
James Russell (7-3) picked up the win, allowing an unearned run on four hits and five strikeouts in five innings pitched. Duane Below (7-5) suffered the loss, allowing three runs on six hits in five innings pitched. Felipe Paulino earned his 27th 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 23rd with a 7:05 pm game against the Sugar Land Skeeters. The game features Post Game Fireworks and an appearance by SpongeBob SquarePants presented by the Somerset Health Care Foundation. For tickets, visit www.somersetpatriots.com.
