DUCKS DEFEAT THE PATRIOTS 9-7 IN SERIES OPENER

Published on May 18, 2012 by Justin Antweil

Central Islip, NY – The Somerset Patriots (12-9) fell to the Long Island Ducks (13-7) at Bethpage Ballpark by a score of 9-7. The Ducks scored a combined seven runs in the seventh and eighth innings against the Patriots bullpen to propel them to their fourth victory against the Patriots in five tries this season.

In the bottom of the first inning Ducks first baseman Ray Navarrete laced an RBI single to right field to drive in left fielder James McOwen to make the score 1-0.

In the top of the third inning Patriots left fielder Aaron Mathews tied the game at 1-1 with an RBI single to left field to plate center fielder Jonny Tucker as Mathews picked up his team leading 16th RBI.

The Ducks would retake the lead in the bottom of the third inning as McOwen recorded an RBI double to score center fielder Kraig Binick and make the score 2-1.

In the bottom of the fourth inning the Patriots took a 3-2 lead thanks to back to back RBI singles by Tucker and second baseman Freddie Bynum.

The Patriots got three more runs in the sixth inning. Bynum had a two-run triple and he also scored on a passed ball to make the score 6-2.

The Ducks scored four runs in the seventh inning to tie the game at 6-6. Third baseman Bryant Nelson had an RBI single and Navarrete squeaked a two-run single up the middle and would later score on a Carlton Smith wild pitch to tie the game.

In the ensuing half inning first baseman Freddy Sandoval hit a go ahead RBI single to plate shortstop Rex Rundgren giving the Patriots a 7-6 advantage.

The Ducks would pound the Patriots bullpen for three more runs in the bottom of the eighth inning as shortstop Dan Lyons and McOwen notched RBI singles while Nelson registered an RBI double to give the Ducks a 9-7 lead.

In the top of the ninth the Patriots would put the tying run on base but Ducks closer Jon Meloan notched his Atlantic League leading seventh save of the season to preserve the win.

The 2012 Somerset Patriots Season presented by Ford will continue on the road until on Thursday, May 24th when the Patriots return home to take on the Camden Riversharks at TD Bank Ballpark at 11:05 am. For tickets, call (908) 252-0700 or visit www.somersetpatriots.com.

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May 18th Game Notes; Patriots @ Ducks

Published on May 18, 2012 by Justin Antweil

Central Islip, NY – Tonight the Somerset Patriots (12-8) visit the Long Island Ducks (12-7) at 7:05 p.m. from Bethpage Ballpark in the first game of this three game weekend series. The Patriots lost three of four games to the Ducks to open the season in April at TD Bank Ballpark.

Mike MacDonald makes his fifth start of the season tonight

The Patriots are in the midst of a major litmus test as this week they’re facing the two best teams in the Atlantic League with the Bridgeport Bluefish and the Ducks. The Ducks are coming off a six game series split with the Sugar Land Skeeters. The Patriots are coming off a fresh sweep of the Bluefish.

The Patriots starting pitchers were brilliant this past week against the Bluefish. Roy Merritt, Paul Phillips and Doug Arguello combined for three wins, 19.1 innings pitched, 17 strikeouts, 9 hits and 4 runs allowed. Each had a quality start.

For a comprehensive look at all the statistics, trends and matchups, download tonight’s May 18th Game Notes.

Streaking…

Patriots third baseman Jeff  Nettles is red hot. He’s currently on a 10 game hitting streak in which he is 15-for-33 with 3 HRs and 12 RBI during that stretch. Nettles has five multi-hit games in his last six contests.

Statistic You Need To Know…

The Patriots have seven come from behind wins this season. The squad as demonstrated a lot of resiliency this year.

Tonight’s pitching matchup features a rematch from opening night on April 26th when the Ducks Mike Loree faced the Patriots Mike MacDonald. Each got a no decision in that outing. Loree went 5.1 innings allowing six runs while MacDonald tossed 4.0 innings allowing zero runs.

2012 Season Statistics…

Mike Loree: 1-0, 3.91 ERA. 4 starts, 23.0 inn, 19 Ks, 7 BBs

Mike MacDonald: 1-0, 4.60 ERA. 4 starts, 15.2 inn, 9 Ks, 6 BBs

Be sure to follow the Patriots on twitter @SOMPatriots for immediate updates. Listen to play-by-play voice Justin Antweil broadcast the game on 1450 AM WCTC or www.wctcam.com starting at 7:05pm.

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Patriots Sweep Bluefish With 4-2 Win

Published on May 17, 2012 by SomPatriots

Bridgewater, NJ- The Somerset Patriots defeated the Bridgeport Bluefish 4-2 in front of 5,609 at TD Bank Ballpark on Thursday evening.

Bridgeport jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first after Prentice Redman doubled and scored on an RBI single by Luis Lopez.

The Patriots evened the scored in the bottom of the second inning on a solo homerun by Jeff Nettles (3). It was the second straight game with a homer by Nettles.

Somerset scored again in the third on a solo homerun to left-center by Jonny Tucker (1) to make the score 2-1.

The Patriots added to their lead the following inning on an RBI single by Tucker that brought home Yusuf Carter and put Somerset on top 3-1.

For the fourth straight inning, the Patriots rallied to score a run after Nettles doubled to plate Freddy Sandoval for a 4-1 lead.

Joey Gathright led off the sixth inning with a single and later came around to score on a passed ball to cut the Patriots lead to 4-2.

Patriots starter Doug Arguello (1-1) got the win after allowing two runs on two hits in six innings pitched.  Isaac Hess (2-1) suffered the loss, giving up four runs on eight hits in five innings of work.  Josh Rupe picked up his fourth save of the season after tossing a scoreless ninth inning.

The 2012 Somerset Patriots Season presented by Ford will continue on the road until Thursday, May 24th when the Patriots return home to take on the Camden Riversharks at 11:05 am.  For tickets, call  (908) 252-0700 or visit www.somersetpatriots.com.

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May 17th Game Notes; Bluefish @ Patriots

Published on May 16, 2012 by Justin Antweil

Doug Arguello looks up to pick up his first win of the season as the Patriots try and complete the sweep

Bridgewater, NJ – Tonight the Somerset Patriots (11-8) face the Bridgeport Bluefish (12-7) at 7:05pm from TD Bank Ballpark in the final game of this three game midweek series. Immediately after the final out of the game there will be an elaborate fireworks show. The Patriots are currently tied with the Lancaster Barnstormers for first place in the Freedom Division.

The Patriots won the opener Tuesday night 7-2 behind seven beautiful innings from starting pitcher Roy Merritt. Merritt tossed seven shutout frames, walking no batters and striking out five men while just surrendering two hits. The Patriots won yesterday afternoon 5-2. Starting pitcher Paul Phillips picked up his team leading third win of the season as he struck out a season-high seven batters. First baseman Freddy Sandoval hit a clutch two RBI triple that proved to be the difference. Patriots third baseman Jeff Nettles hit his 200th career minor league home run. The Patriots go for the sweep tonight.

Home Sweet Home…

The Patriots have won six games in a row at TD Bank Ballpark and eight of their last nine home games.

Streaking…

Nettles is currently on a nine game hitting streak. He has multi-hit games in each of his last four of his last five contests. During the streak he is 13-for-30 at the plate with 10 RBI.

Patriots second baseman Freddie Bynum is currently on an eight game hitting streak.

For a complete look at all the statistics, matchups and trends, download tonight’s May 17th Game Notes.

This evening’s matchup will feature two lefty hurlers. Doug Arguello will go to the mound for the Patriots while Isaac Hess will toe the rubber for the Bluefish.

2012 Season Statistics…

Doug Arguello: 0-1 with a 7.84 ERA. 10.1 innings pitched with 11 strikeouts compared to 11 BBs.

Isaac Hess: 2-0 with a 4.42 ERA. 18.1 innings pitched with 11 strikeouts compared to just 2 BBs.

Be sure to follow the Patriots on twitter @SOMPatriots for immediate updates. Listen to play-by-play voice Justin Antweil broadcast the game on 1450 AM WCTC or www.wctcam.com starting at 7:05 pm.

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Patriots Win Second Straight Over Bluefish

Published on May 16, 2012 by SomPatriots

Bridgewater, NJ- The Somerset Patriots defeated the Bridgeport Bluefish 5-2 at TD Bank Ballpark on Wednesday afternoon.

The Patriots got on the board first in the bottom of the fifth inning on an RBI triple that brought home two runs by Freddy Sandoval and an RBI single by Aaron Mathews to put Somerset on top 3-0.

Somerset added to their lead the following inning on an RBI single by Jonny Tucker to give the Patriots a 4-0 advantage.

The Bluefish scored two runs in the seventh after Brock Peterson singled and scored on an RBI single by Luis Rodriguez.  Eddie Rogers then followed with an RBI single to score Rodriguez and cut the lead to 4-2.

Patriots third baseman Jeff Nettles drove a solo homerun (2) over the left field wall to advance Somerset to 5-2.

Somerset starter Paul Phillips (3-0) got the win after allowing two runs while striking out seven in 6.1 innings of work.  Bridgeport starter Raymar Diaz (0-2) suffered the loss, surrendering three runs on five hits in 4.1 innings pitched.  Josh Rupe picked up his third save of the season for the Patriots after tossing a scoreless ninth inning.

The 2012 Somerset Patriots Season presented by Ford will continue at home on Thursday evening when the Patriots take on the Bluefish at 7:05 pm.  The game includes a Post-Game Fireworks Show presented by Centenary College.  For tickets, call  (908) 252-0700 or visit www.somersetpatriots.com.

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