New York Yankees Double-A affiliate Somerset Patriots took four games from the Harrisburg Senators (Washington Nationals affiliate) in a six game series this past week. With a 35-18 record, the Patriots now sit atop the Northeast League standings.
Pitching Prevails
Patriots pitching was the storyline of the series, as they shut out the Senators in three of the six games. Their staff has the lowest team ERA (3.04) in all of Minor League Baseball, and ranks second in strikeouts (616) and WHIP (1.13).
In game one of a doubleheader on Friday July 2nd, JP Sears and Janson Junk combined to allow no runs on only four hits to propel the Patriots to a 7-0 victory. Junk’s three shutout innings brought his ERA down to 1.00 on the season, which leads all of Minor League Baseball for qualified pitchers.
Glenn Otto Jr. earned the win for his dominant start on Saturday, July 3rd, striking out 12 and allowing only one hit in seven shutout innings. Otto took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, at one point retiring 20 straight batters. The Yankees #28 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, Otto now leads the league and ranks second in Minor League Baseball with 95 strikeouts.
Starting pitcher Luis Medina struck out eight and did not allow a run in five innings on July 4th. Medina was named to the All-Star Futures Game this week, and will head to Denver, CO to pitch in the game on Sunday.
Relief pitcher Ron Marinaccio did not allow a run in four innings of work throughout the series, giving up only one hit.
The Bats Come Alive
Eight different Patriots hit a home run during the six game set, and three different players had at least two.
Outfielders Isiah Gilliam and Thomas Milone each knocked in five runs and hit a home run over the six games.
Catcher Donny Sands continued to swing a hot bat, hitting .333 over the series with a home run.
Infielder Oswaldo Cabrera hit two home runs and registered eight RBI’s through the series, including a three run homer in Friday night's game. Infielder Diego Castillo also hit two home runs and had seven hits over the six games.
A Patriots Look Ahead
The Patriots will welcome the Erie SeaWolves (Detroit Tigers Affiliate) to TD Bank Ballpark beginning on Tuesday night at 7:05 for a six game series. The Seawolves lineup includes five of their top 10 prospects according to MLB Pipeline, highlighted by the first overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, Spencer Torkelson. Tickets are available at somersetpatriots.com.
Stay up to date on the Somerset Patriots and Minor League Baseball in New Jersey right here at Jersey Sporting News.
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