Pats Sweep Doubleheader Against Bears

By Atlantic League Independent Wire Services on May 31, 2009

NEWARK, NJ- The Somerset Patriots defeated the Newark Bears 5-3 and 10-3 to sweep a double header at Bears’ and Eagles’ Riverfront Stadium on Saturday evening.

In Game One, Somerset broke a 3-3 tie with a run in the top of the fifth inning to take a 4-3 lead when first baseman Josh Pressley crushed a one out solo home run (5) to left center field.

The Patriots added an insurance run in the top of the seventh inning to make it 5-3 when rightfielder Mike Rodriguez led off with a single to left, stole second and scored on a one out RBI single to left by catcher Travis Anderson.

Newark struck first with three runs in the bottom of the first inning to take an early 3-0 lead.  Second baseman Andres Perez hit a one out triple to right center and after rightfielder Jay Gibbons was hit by a pitch, came around to score on an RBI groundout to second by designated hitter Carl Everett.  First baseman Salomon Manriquez then followed with a two out two run home run (2) to left center.

Somerset answered with two runs in the top of the second inning to cut the Bears lead to 3-2.  Second baseman Matt Hagen hit a broken bat bloop double down the right field line to lead off and scored on a one out RBI single to right by catcher Jason Belcher.  After a single to left by third baseman Teuris Olivares, shortstop Elliott Ayala ripped an RBI single to right center that plated Belcher.

The Patriots tied the game at 3-3 with a run in the top of the third inning when Belcher lined a bases loaded two out RBI single to left that scored Pressley.

Patriots’ starter Brian Adams (4-2) picked up the win, allowing three runs on five hits while striking out four and walking none in five innings of work.  Bears’ reliever Oneli Perez (3-3) suffered the loss, allowing two runs on three hits while walking one and striking five in four innings pitched.  Patriots’ closer Travis Minix pitched a scoreless ninth for his ninth save of the season.

In Game Two, the Patriots struck first with a run in the top of the first inning to take an early 1-0 lead when centerfielder Sean Smith lined a lead off triple to right center and scored on a sacrifice fly to center off the bat off rightfielder Mike Rodriguez.

Somerset added a run in the top of the third inning to make it a 2-0 lead when Rodriguez hit a two out infield single up the middle, advanced to second on a Bears’ throwing error and came home on an RBI single to left by Pressley.

The Bears plated a run in the bottom of the third inning to cut the lead to 2-1 when leftfielder Charlton Jimerson hit a one out double to left center and scored on an RBI double to right by Gibbons.

The Patriots broke the game open with a ten batter, seven run top of the fifth inning to take a commanding 9-1 lead.  Rodriguez blooped a one out double to shallow center and scored on an RBI double off the center field wall by Pressley.  After a two out walk by catcher Travis Anderson, Belcher lined a two run double to right center that plated both Pressley and Anderson.  Olivares then slapped an RBI single to right that scored Belcher and Ayala followed with an RBI single to right that brought in Olivares.  Shortstop Anthony Granato then capped the scoring by slugging a two run home run (2) to left.

Somerset scored their final run in the top of the seventh inning to make it 10-1 when Olivares ripped a double down the third base line, moved to second on a passed ball and scored on a sacrifice fly to center by Ayala.

Newark plated their final two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to make it 10-3.  Jimerson led off with a double into the right field corner and scored when Gibbons followed with an RBI double to right.  Gibbons would later score on a Patriots’ fielding error on a ground ball to third off the bat of first baseman Michael Hernandez.

Patriots’ reliever Casey Cahill (1-0) picked up the win, throwing two scoreless innings, allowing one hit while striking out none and walking two.  Bears’ starter Aaron Fultz (1-1) suffered the loss, allowing nine runs, eight earned, on eleven hits while walking two and striking one in 4.2 innings pitched.

With the sweep the Patriots improved to 21-13 on the 2009 season while the Bears dropped to 19-15.

The 2009 Somerset Patriots Season presented by Ford will continue at home with a 7:05 pm game on Monday, June 1st against the Lancaster Barnstormers. The game features Computer and Electronic Recycling Night.  Bring in your used computer or electronics for the collection and receive a complimentary game ticket. For tickets, stop by the Patriots Ticket Office located at the ballpark, call (908) 252-0700, or CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS ON-LINE!

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