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Somerset Dominates Series Against Portland, Seizing 5 out of 6

May 4, 2022

The Somerset Patriots won the series against the Portland Sea Dogs. Somerset took five of the six games in the series where their pitching shined. Somerset scored 33 runs in the series while Portland was held to 9 runs.

In the first game in the series, it was a pitcher’s duel throughout. Mitch Spence pitched four innings giving up 4 hits, 4 walks, 1 run, and struck out 2. Carlos Espinal, Matt Minnick, and Derek Craft combined for 6 shutout innings of relief and combined 10 strikeouts while giving up just 2 hits.

Offensively the Patriots were led by Andres Chaparro. Chaparro in the bottom of the 7th hit a solo home run to tie the game at 1-1. Somerset and Portland ended up going to extra innings and in the bottom of the 10th Mickey Gasper hit a walk-off single, scoring Derek Dietrich to win the game 2-1.

In-game two it was another pitcher’s duel. Sean Boyle pitched five solid innings giving up 3 hits, 1 unearned run, and had 7 K’s. In the bottom of the 3rd inning while down 1-0 Anthony Volpe hit a line-drive single to right field scoring Jesus Bastidas to tie it 1-1. Kyle Zurak came in to pitch two innings after Boyle’s night was over. Zurak pitched two scoreless innings striking out two, walking 1, and giving up 2 hits. Steven Jennings would pitch the last two innings of the game where he struck out 5 but would give up the game-winning home run. This was the only game the Patriots lost in the series, losing 2-1.

In-game three the Patriots' bats came alive scoring 15 runs on 14 hits. After going down 3-0 in the 4th inning they wouldn’t allow another run for the remainder of the game. The Patriots' first runs wouldn’t come till the 5th inning when Anthony Volpe would hit a sacrifice fly, scoring in one. Right after that Brandon Lockridge would hit a 3-Run home run to give Somerset the lead 4-3.

In the 7th inning, Volpe would hit a bases-clearing triple, scoring three more runs. In the 8th inning, the Patriots would score 8 runs. Michael Beltre hit a single, scoring in 1 run. Chad Bell crushed a ball to center field hitting a 3-Run home run and finally, Derek Dietrich would hit a Grand Slam. As for pitching, the Patriots would combine for 15 strikeouts while giving up 7 hits and just 3 runs. This would be the Patriots' biggest victory 15-3.

In-game 4 Somerset would win 7-1. Luis Medina would start for Somerset pitching five shutout innings. This was his longest start so far this season. Medina had a lot more control in this one giving up just 1 hit and 1 walk. He would also have 6 K’s. Josh Maciejewski would come in to pitch the remainder of the game where he would give up Portland's only run. Maciejewski while allowing just one run gave up 2 hits, and 3 walks and he struck out 4. On offense, Somerset would hit 3 home runs by Blake Perkins, Derek Dietrich, and Chad Bell. Jeisson Rosario would also hit a triple, scoring in 1.

In-game 5 Somerset would walk it off in their 3-2 victory. Early in the game, Andres Chaparro would hit a 2-Run blast to left-center field to give Somerset an early lead. Somerset would give up unearned runs in both the 5th and 8th inning on a fielding error by Volpe and a throwing error by Rosario. From the mound, Somerset would allow just 2 hits in the game while striking out 10.

In the series finale, Somerset would win 5-0 while giving up just 1 hit in the game. Jhony Brito would pitch seven scoreless innings. Jhony struck out 6 while giving up just 1 walk and 1 hit. Emmanuel Ramirez in his Somerset debut would pitch 1 shutout inning in relief striking out 1. Kyle Zurak would finish the game striking out 1 as well. On offense, Brandon Lockridge would hit a triple scoring two runs. Anthony Volpe would hit a solo home run and Andres Chaparro would hit his 3rd home run of the series with a 2-Run home run to left-center field.

What's Next for Somerset Patriots

Somerset is currently in first place in the Eastern League Northeast Division with a 14-7 record. Somerset will finish off their homestand in a 6 game series against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats who are the Toronto Blue Jays Double-A Affiliate. The Fisher Cats are 10-11 on the season and are currently third in the division. The series will take place between May 3rd through May 8th.