Spencer Jones Powers to Career Day for Patriots

Spencer Jones is on fire right now, and so are the Somerset Patriots.

The New York Yankees No. 2 ranked prospect, Jones enjoyed a career day for the Double-A affiliate, bashing a pair of homers on a four-hit day. He also drove in seven runs, a career-best, which is also the most by a Patriots hitter this season. The effort earned Jones the Eastern League Player of the Week honors.

It was a heck of a series for Slugger. In six games against the Richmond Flying Squirrels, Jones hit .333 with seven extra-base hits and 12 RBI. The stellar performance saw Jones' batting average increase by 10 points to .252, and it capped off a sizzling June where he hit .296 for the month.

Meanwhile, Jones' 29 RBI, 14 extra-base hits, and 59 total bases in June led the Eastern League. Jones extended his hit streak to four games on Sunday, marking his fifth hit streak of four-plus games this season, all of which have come in June. 

PATRIOTS BASH SQUIRRELS

Jones wasn't the only Patriot having a Sunday Fun Day in Richmond.

Rafael Flores rocketed his first Double-A Somerset homer in the eighth inning. Overall, Flores has seven homers on the season between High-A Hudson Valley and Somerset.

WHAT THE WIN MEANS?

The Patriots' 13-3 win over Richmond capped off a huge week for Somerset, who won five of six. It was only the third time this season Somerset has won a series for an opponent, and two of those series came at the expense of the Squirrels. The series victory also places the Patriots in first place of the Eastern Division for the second half of the season, which got underway this past week.

The Patriots split a home-and-home series with the Reading Fightin' Phils this week, starting tonight at TD Bank Ballpark at 7:05.

MORE SOMERSET PATRIOTS

There is nothing better than celebrating the 4th of July In New Jersey — one of the proudest parts of America! Attached is a growing list of Independence Day celebrations across the Garden State, starting in late June, and going as far as July 6th.

Starting at 6:00, this kicks off at the front lawn of Montgomery High School on route 601. Those who get there early can enjoy food trucks, live music, as well as games and activities for the kids. 

The annual fireworks display will be held at Rider University. The festivities start at 6:00 p.m., and the family can enjoy live bands, food trucks, and children's entertainment. Expect a longer night because the fireworks will start around 9:30 p.m.

Located at Veterans Park, Hamilton Township is hosting its Independence Day event starting at 6:00 p.m. Live entertainment and food will be on site. Fireworks are expected to begin at 9:30 p.m. 

Aberdeen's annual Independence Day Celebration is going to be its "biggest year yet!", according to the township. This will be held at Veterans Memorial Park starting at 5:00 p.m. Fireworks are expected to go off at 9:00 p.m.
*RAIN DATE JULY 8th*

Celebrate the 4th Of July at Union Beach at the beachfront. Fireworks begin when it gets dark. 
*RAIN DATE JULY 5th*

From 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., everyone gathers at the Freehold Raceway to enjoy the fireworks show! Lawn chairs are RECOMMENDED! 

The annual Asbury Park Independence Day celebration! View the fireworks from the Second and Fourth Avenue beaches starting at 9:00 p.m.
*RAIN DATE JULY 5th*

Celebrate the birth of our nation at Keansburg Amusement Park & Runaway Rapids' "BIGGEST show ever"! Spend the day at the park and cap it off with a beautiful fireworks display. *FREE ENTRY*

This fireworks display will be at Alvin P. Williams Park! Gates open at 4:00 p.m., and there will be live music, vendors, food trucks, and more. Be sure to bring lawn chairs and blankets. 
*RAIN DATE JULY 5th*

East Brunswick's 4th Of July celebration is going to be held at the Community Arts Center on Cranbury Road. There will be children's games, food vendors, and an appearance from the East Brunswick Symphony Orchestra! Parking for the event will be available at the arts center using the entrance/exit ramp roadside.  Doors open at 6:00 p.m.. More parking information can be found here. 

*RAIN DATE JULY 5th*

OCEANFEST - "The Biggest Independence Day celebration anywhere in New Jersey"! 

The event starts at 1:00 p.m. and goes all the way to 10:00 p.m. Firworks are expected to go off at 9:00 p.m.

Another large-scale 4th of July celebration, this event kicks off at 6:00 IN THE MORNING. Fishing, fun runs, food, parades, beer gardens, and so much more are happening here. Fire works are expected to launch at 9:30 p.m. 

For more information on the day's festivities, click HERE

Atlantic Highlands will be having its fireworks display at the Marina, starting at 9:45 p.m. Perfect night for watching from the boat.
*RAIN DATE JULY 6th* 

Starting promptly at 8:30 p.m., this can't miss fireworks display is best observed from the grass in fron of Silver Lake on Ocean Avenue. IT CANNOT BE SEEN FROM THE BEACH