Hamburger Retires 17 Consecutive Patriots En Route To The Victory

(New Britain, CT– June 10, 2018) – The New Britain Bees (17-24) used an early rally and some stellar pitching to defeat the Somerset Patriots (23-16) 6-3 on Sunday afternoon at New Britain Stadium. The win secured a series victory for the Bees over the Patriots and brought the boys from the Hardware City to within seven games of the First Half Liberty Division leaders.

Bees starting hurler Mark Hamburger (4-3) walked away with his fourth win on the year. The 31-year-old right-hander allowed his only two runs and three hits in the first inning, following that by retiring 17 straight batters. Overall, Hamburger pitched seven innings, striking out six and giving up two walks and two runs on three hits. Somerset’s Cory Riordan (3-2) suffered the loss, surrendering four runs (one earned run) on six hits while walking one and fanning ten Bees batters.

Hamburger started the game slowly, allowing three hits in the first inning, the final one being a Danny Dorn two-run single that put Somerset up early. Hamburger struck out the final two batters to get out of the inning without more damage being done, and would proceed to retire the side in order the next five innings on the bump. Meanwhile, the New Britain offense got rolling in the bottom of the third, when Vinny Siena led off the inning with his first home run of the season over the left field wall, cutting the Bees deficit to 2-1 while giving the home team the offensive juice they needed. In the middle of the sixth, Darren Ford reached base on a Patriots throwing error, stole second, and plated the tying run off a Deibinson Romero double down the left field line. Riordan began the bottom of the seventh striking out the first two Bees batters, but James Skelton reached on another Somerset fielding error and moved into scoring position by way of a Ford single. Patriots manager Brett Jodie pulled Riordan for southpaw reliever Chase Hutchingson, who didn’t fare much better, walking Reid Brignac to load the bases, then coughing up a two-RBI base knock to Romero and another run-scoring double to Jason Rogers that zipped down the first-base line and scored Brignac, putting New Britain on top, 5-2. In the top of the eighth, Dorn once again drove in a run by way of a single to cut the Bees lead to 5-3. However, when New Britain closer Evan Scribner entered the ballgame, the Somerset offense halted. In the bottom of the frame, Jonathan Galvez led off with a solo home run to left centerfield, his third roundtripper of the campaign and second big fly in the series. Scribner closed out the top of the ninth to secure his third save of the year, allowing one hit in an inning and a third of relief work. Romero and Rogers led the way for the New Britain with a pair of hits each. Photo provided courtesy of Joe Doll. 

The Bees return to New Britain Stadium on Tuesday, June 19^th when they welcome in the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs to the Hardware City for a four-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 P.M. It will be another Two-Fer Tuesday in the Nutmeg State, as everyone can buy one full price ticket and get one FREE when you purchase on-line, by phone, or at the Bees Ticket Office. CLICK HERE for tickets.

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)

The Atlantic League has been a leader in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball since 1998. Over 38 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 900 players and 50 managers and coaches have joined MLB organizations directly from the ALPB. The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment. For more information, please visit www.AtlanticLeague.com.

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