Patriots Win Knocks Bees Out Of The Playoff Picture
Six Run Somerset Fifth Inning Is The Demise
(Bridgewater Township, NJ – September 21, 2019) – The Somerset Patriots (27-40, 69-68) defeated the New Britain Bees (36-33, 71-68) 7-2 at TD Bank Ballpark on Saturday evening to even up the three-game season-ending weekend series at a victory apiece. The loss eliminates the Bees from post-season contention in 2019 as the team was in search of its first playoff berth in the four-year history of the franchise.
New Britain starting pitcher Devin Burke (3-7) was tagged with the loss after surrendering five runs on five hits in four and two-thirds innings pitched, walking one while striking out two and hitting a batter. Somerset starting pitcher Liam O’Sullivan (7-9) earned the win, allowing one run on six hits across six and one-third innings on the mound, walking and striking out three.
New Britain took a 1-0 lead versus O’Sullivan in the top half of the fifth inning courtesy of a two-out, run-scoring base knock off the bat of Jared James that plated Rando Moreno, the second rib-eye steak in as many nights for the New Britain outfielder against Somerset. The Patriots answered in a big way one half inning later taking the lead for good by sending ten batters to the plate, scoring six runs on seven hits for a commanding 6-1 advantage, thanks to an RBI double from Alfredo Rodriguez, followed by all the other runs crossing the plate with two men away on an RBI base hit from Mike Fransoso, a single that plated a pair produced by Scott Kelly, an infield hit that also drove in a run from Will Kengor, and a wild pitch thrown by Brandon Fry. The Bees cut the deficit to 6-2 in the eighth on a ground ball to the right side off the bat of Moreno that allowed Jason Rogers to cross the plate after he walked to lead off the fame for the second time on the night, giving him a total of 84 free passes this season, second most in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. The boys from the Hardware City looked to mount a miraculous comeback in the top of the ninth when James drew a walk with one down, but it was not in the cards on this Saturday night as Mike Carp bounced into a game-ending double play and the Patriots returned the favor to their Liberty division foes 24 hours after New Britain knocked Somerset out of the playoff hunt by doing the same to the Bees just one game later. Zach Collier led the way offensively with a pair of hits in defeat. Photo provided courtesy of Joe Doll.
About the New Britain Bees
The New Britain Bees are members of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball and play their home games at New Britain Stadium. For information on ticket packages, group outings and sponsorships call 860-826-BEES (2337) or visit NBBees.com.
About the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)
With eight teams in the Mid-Atlantic and Texas, the ALPB is a leader in baseball innovation and a player gateway to Major League Baseball. Through its exclusive partnership with MLB, the Atlantic League tests Major League Baseball rules and equipment initiatives. The Atlantic League has sent over 900 players to MLB organizations while drawing more than 40 million fans to its affordable, family-friendly ballparks throughout its 22-year history. For more information, please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.
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