Bridgeport, Conn. – The Somerset Patriots (5-5, 47-33) controlled Monday night’s ballgame from the first pitch, blanking the Bridgeport Bluefish (6-5, 47-34) with an 8-0 victory in the series-opener at The Ballpark at Harbor Yard.
Somerset jumped out to an early lead with three unearned runs in the first. Two run-scoring errors by Bridgeport right-fielder Ozney Guillen, along with an RBI single from Mark Minicozzi, provided the early cushion.
A two-out RBI single from Alfredo Rodriguez in the fourth inning extended the Patriots lead out to 4-0 before a Mark Minicozzi (2) two-run home run in the fifth made it 6-0 Somerset. Another run-scoring error in the sixth and a two-out RBI single from Yovan Gonzalez in the eighth topped of the scoring in the ballgame.
David Kubiak (4-7) earned the win after he allowed just three hits over seven scoreless innings with seven strikeouts. It marked the second-straight start for a Patriots’ pitcher to toss at least six scoreless innings.
“Not giving them a look at both off-speed pitches was big,” said Kubiak after defeating his former team. “I love a lot of the guys over there – good dudes – but [defeating Bridgeport]] is always nice.”
Charles Brewer (5-3) yielded seven runs (four earned) on eight hits over six innings to take the loss.
Somerset continues it’s three-game series against the Bluefish Tuesday morning. Right-hander Connor Root (0-0, 2.70 ERA) toes the rubber for Somerset against Bridgeport righty Mike Aquilino. First pitch at the Ballpark at Harbor Yard is scheduled for 11:12 a.m.
Tickets to the 2017 Somerset Patriots Season presented by Ford, which includes the team’s 20th Anniversary, are on sale now. For more information, stop by the ballpark, call (908) 252-0700, or visit www.somersetpatriots.com.
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