York Pitching Stalls Somerset Offense

By Melinda Quasius on August 18, 2008

BRIDGEWATER, NJ – The tying run was on second base, with no one out in the bottom of the ninth inning for the Somerset Patriots, but the game ended before another run could be scored.

In the last game of a seven game home stand, the York Revolution won 3-2 behind seven shutout innings of pitching by Rolando Viera (1-0).

Viera allowed three hits and one walk and struck out three batters, stymieing the Somerset batters.

The Revolution put up just enough runs early in the game to give Viera the win. The third and fifth innings mirrored each other, with catcher Sandy Aracena leading off with walks, followed by sacrifices by second baseman Jose Enrique Cruz to advance Aracena to second.

In both innings, shortstop Keoni De Renne then singled, allowing center fielder Kennard Jones to hit sac flies to the outfield, which scored Aracena. Jones finished the day 0-2, with two RBI. First baseman Chris Ashby then grounded out to end both innings.

Patriots pitcher Aaron Fultz (3-4) gave up all three runs earned by the Revolution, including the go-ahead home run by designated hitter Matt Dryer in the top of the ninth. Casey Cahill replaced Fultz after the home run.

Fultz finished his eight innings pitched with six hits, three earned runs, three walks and five strikeouts.

Somerset scored their first run in the eighth inning, on an RBI single by designated hitter Josh Pressley against relief pitcher Juan Padilla, who pitched just one-third of an inning, giving up a run on two hits and a walk.

In the ninth, the Patriots started their rally with a double by catcher Jason Belcher down the left field line. First baseman Travis Anderson also doubled in almost the exact spot of Belcher’s hit, allowing Belcher to come around and score. With no one out, down 3-2, Anderson was the tying run and on second base.

Shortstop Elliott Ayala hit a grounder to the second baseman, and was thrown out at first, but Anderson was able to advance to third.

Third baseman Gera Alvarez then tipped a ball foul, right into the hands of the catcher. He was tagged out before he thought about running to first.

With two outs, center fielder Sean Smith worked relief pitcher Franklin Nunez deep into the count, but was called out looking at a third strike. Nunez earned his third save of the season.

Anderson was 1-1 with an RBI, and Pressley was 1-4 with the other Patriot RBI.
The Patriots begin a seven game road trip Monday, beginning with a three game series at the Long Island Ducks. They return to Bridgewater Tuesday, August 26 for eight straight home games.

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