Late Homers Propel Patriots over Goats
Official Somerset Patriots Press Release: Bridgewater, NJ — The Somerset Patriots (62-39) used a pair of late home runs and a defensive showcase to top the Hartford Yard Goats (61-41) by a score of 3-1 in their Tuesday night series opener.
The final out of the game was recorded on a home run-robbing catch by Brandon Lockridge at the center field wall. The potential two-run shot off the bat of Brenton Doyle would have tied the game.
The heroics came one game after Lockridge hit a game-winning home run in the 8th inning of an 8-6 victory on Sunday.
LOCKED. DOWN.
— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) August 10, 2022
BRANDON LOCKRIDGE ROBS A HOME RUN TO WIN THE BALLGAME😱🔒 pic.twitter.com/VrG7vsouro
Patriots catcher Austin Wells also caught two baserunners trying to steal, in addition to one who was picked off by Somerset starter Randy Vasquez.
Vasquez entered his last start vs. Binghamton having allowed 19 stolen bases–the most of any Eastern League pitcher. Over his last two starts now, baserunners are 0-for-6 when trying to steal on him, including three caught stealing and three pick-offs.
After falling behind 1-0 on a steal of home in the fourth inning by Hunter Stovall (on Vasquez’ successful pickoff of Zac Veen at first), the Patriots tied the game in the fifth inning on an Anthony Volpe single.
Jeisson Rosario brought home the game-winning run in the seventh when he blasted a leadoff homer on the first pitch of the inning. Before the inning ended, Eric Wagaman added a run of insurance as well, going deep in his Double-A debut.
Welcome to Somerset, Eric Wagaman!
— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) August 10, 2022
Freshly promoted from High-A, Wagaman CRUSHES a solo blast to extend our lead to 3-1💪 pic.twitter.com/LyiFNMJcSk
Aaron McGarity was the game’s winning pitcher, retiring all four batters he faced with three strikeouts. Carson Coleman earned his Yankees MiLB organization-leading 13th save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning. Somerset’s pitching staff struck out 13 total batters in the game.
The 2022 Somerset Patriots Season presented by Ford will continue at home on Wednesday with a 6:05 p.m. game against the Hartford Yard Goats at TD Bank Ballpark. Tickets are available at somersetpatriots.com.
Clayton Beeter, who was acquired by the Yankees from the Dodgers in their trade for Joey Gallo, will make his Yankees organizational debut as the starting pitcher for Wednesday’s game, opposite Hartford RHP Noah Gotsis.
