Somerset Patriots Stun Goats, Lock Down Game 1 of Division Series
The New York Yankees Double-A affiliate, Somerset Patriots rallied from a 2-1 deficit in the eighth inning to stun the Hartford Yardgoats 3-2 as Somerset grabbed a 1-0 series lead in a best-of-three Division Series out of the East Division in the Double-A Eastern League playoffs.
The Patriots rally started with a walk to Anthony Seigler and a single by Elijah Dunham. Next Tyler Hardman lined a base hit to center that drove in Seigler with the tying run, all with none out in the inning.
After a base hit by Grant Richardson loaded the bases, Alexander Vargas (2-of-4, RBI) bounced a chopper to shortstop Ryan Ritter, who double-clutched on the throw, missing Vargas by a step at first base. Everyone was safe, including Dunham who scored what would be the game winning run.
Not only was the rally huge, Yankees No. 2 prospect Spencer Jones enjoyed a huge night at the dish. Jones went 3-of-5 including blasting a mammoth homer to right that initially tied the game at one in the bottom of the third inning.
Meanwhile on the mound, Bailey Dees was dealing for Somerset. The former Penn State star flustered the Yard Goats over 6.2 innings of work, allowing two runs on four hits. He struck out nine batters. It was the fifth time this season that Dees had struck out nine-plus hitters in a game this season. Over his last five starts, Dees is 3-0 with a 1.53 ERA over 29.1 innings of work with 38 strikeouts.
Erick Reyzelman wound up earning the save, working around a lead-off walk by striking out the side to punch Somerset’s ticket to Hartford with a series lead.
Should Somerset wrap up the series either Thursday or Friday, the Patriots would advance to their second League Championship Series in three years.
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