Blane Abeyta tossed six one-hit innings against the Dobule-A affiliate of the New York Mets, as the Yankees Double-A affiliate, the Somerset Patriots won 8-0. Photo: Somerset Patriots.

Aaron Palensky and Max Burt both homered, and the Somerset Patriots shut out the Binghamton Rumble Ponies 8-0 on Sunday at TD Bank Ballpark. The victory secured a series split with the Double-A affiliate of the New York Mets.  The shutout was also the fourth consecutive shoutout between the two teams; the third that went in the favor of the Patriots.

Plaensky’s two-run homer in the bottom of the fourth inning lifted Somerset to a 2-0 lead. The Patriots right fielder would later add a RBI double to the proceedings in the eighth inning to cap of a 2-for-3 night with three runs scored and three RBI.  Plaensky has crushed a career best 18 homers this season in Somerset.

Meanwhile, Max Burt got into the action, Sunday when he crushed a two-run bomb in the sixth inning to extend Somerset’s lead to 5-0.

Jesus Bastidas also had a huge night for Somerset, drawing three walks and scoring three times in the victory.

All the runs went to the good of starter Blane Abeyta, who tossed six shutout innings, allowing only a hit, while striking out seven. Abeyta improved to 7-6 on the year. The effort was huge for Abeyta who suffered back-to-back rough outings for Somerset, in which he gave up 11 earned runs to the Akron Rubber Ducks in outings on August 1 and August 6.

What the victory means:

Somerset and Binghamton wound up settling for a split of the six game series, with Somerset earning shutouts on Thursday (14-0), Friday (9-0) and Sunday (8-0). Somerset outscored Binghamton 40-17 over the six games. Moreover, the Patriots maintain a two-game lead over Binghamton in the standings for the second half of the year. Somerset is 21-17 in the second half, compared to Binghamton’s 19-19 record. In third place is Portland at 19-20.

Of course, should Binghamton make it to the playoffs to face-off with the Yankees Double-A affiliate in the division series, the Mets Double-A affiliate would need to win the second half title.

4 Fast-Food Restaurants Flavorful Plant-Based Picks

The once-challenging quest for vegan options at fast-food restaurants has gotten a lot easier in recent years. Gone are the days of painstakingly customizing orders to suit specific dietary needs. Or worse, just having French fries and lettuce. Fast-food chains have taken significant strides in recent years, expanding their menus to offer an array of plant-based choices.

Plenty of fast-food chains have recognized the shifting dietary preferences of their customers and have embraced the challenge of providing satisfying vegan options. The evolution of vegan choices at these establishments has been impressive. From the golden arches of well-known burger joints to the cozy corners of popular sandwich shops, the vegan revolution has made its mark.

Plant-based and vegan fast-food options

Vegans no longer have to rely solely on customizing existing meals to meet their dietary requirements. Instead, they can revel in the sheer variety that now graces the menus of fast-food chains. These establishments now proudly feature vegan burgers that sizzle and satisfy, dairy-free milkshakes, and even plant-based twists on classic comfort foods.

With an increasing number of people embracing plant-based lifestyles and seeking sustainable dining choices, the fast-food industry has risen to the occasion. These establishments understand that providing diverse options isn’t just about following a trend but about fostering inclusivity and catering to many people with specific tastes and needs. So, the next time you’re in a hurry and hunger strikes, rest assured that the vegan options at fast-food restaurants are not only abundant but also thoughtfully crafted to satisfy your cravings and nourish your values.

Whether you’re on a diet, dairy-free, vegetarian, or simply vegan there are fast-food places for you to grab a quick bite. Check out these fast-food vegan restaurant menu items. If you’re a very strict vegan, you might consider checking with the establishment regarding any potential cross-contamination with meat products when placing your order.

  • Taco Bell

    According to Taco Bell, most of their products are vegan. They say to order any item “fresco style”, which replaces mayo-based sauces, cheeses, and reduced-fat sour cream with freshly prepared diced tomatoes. Then, substitute the protein with black beans, refried beans, or potato bites. In June, the chain announced that they’re testing a new Vegan Crunchwrap which is meatless and dairy-free. If all goes well, you can soon see that on menus too.

  • Dunkin’

    For a restaurant known for its coffee, you may be surprised by the vegan options. Dunkin offers more than 20 vegan menu items, according to their site. Dunkin’ features avocado toast and a selection of non-dairy milk alternatives such as oat, almond, and coconut milk to accompany your coffee. In addition to avocado toast, vegans can enjoy other choices like avocado and roasted tomato toast, a bacon avocado tomato sandwich minus the bacon, various bagels including plain, cinnamon raisin, everything, and sesame without cream cheese, an English muffin, and hash browns.

  • Chipotle

    For those seeking plant-based options, Chipotle has consistently offered a reliable meal comprising rice, beans, fajita veggies, salsa, and guacamole. The year 2013 saw a transformative addition to Chipotle’s menu with the introduction of vegan sofritas. This was a game-changing choice; it features flavorful spicy braised tofu. As confirmed by the restaurant chain, their sofritas option has been given the seal of approval for both vegans and vegetarians alike.

  • Burger King

    Burger King offers the Impossible Burger patty, which is widely available across their fast-food outlets nationwide. The Impossible Whopper, just like the classic version, features an Impossible patty crafted from plant-based ingredients. Both Burger King and Impossible Foods representatives informed INSIDER that, upon request, the Impossible Whopper can be prepared separately to ensure it is not cooked on the same surface used for meat products. Additionally, Burger King has begun testing Impossible chicken nuggets.

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