Somerset Patriots Drop Game 1 of Double-A Championship Series
The New York Yankees Double-A affiliate, Somerset Patriots fell in Game 1 of the League Championship Series 9-5 to the Erie Seawolves on Sunday night. An incredible second-half run now comes down to Somerset’s ability to win a game at home on Tuesday to keep the season alive for the winner-take-all title game on Wednesday night.
Both games on Tuesday and Wednesday are scheduled to start at 6:35 p.m.
Somerset homered in each of the first three innings of Game 1, building a 4-2 lead over Erie in the early stages. Rafael Flores got the scoring started with a solo blast to left that gave Somerset an early 1-0 advantage.
Grant Richardson followed that up with a solo blast of his own to deep right in the top of the second to put Somerset back out in front.
Finally, Yankees’ number 2 prospect, Spencer Jones crushed his second home run of the postseason, on a big fly to right to give Somerset its third lead of the night at 4-2.
Unfortunately, the Patriots couldn’t hold down the Seawolves. A three-run bomb by Chris Meyers gave Erie the lead for the first time at 5-4. Reliever Sean Boyle wound up taking the loss for giving up the homer to Meyers.
Starter Ben Shields lasted only 4.1 innings of work and was charged with two runs on four hits while striking out seven.
Finally, Erie’s Carlos Mendoza broke the game open with a three-run double in the bottom of the eighth to give the Seawolves a 9-4 advantage. Mendoza had a huge night for Erie, collecting four hits in five at-bats with two runs scored and three RBI.
Tuesday night:
Cam Schlittler is scheduled to take the ball for Somerset in Game 2. Trystan Vrieling is expected to get the ball for Somerset in Game 3, should there be one on Wednesday night.
