Bridgewater, NJ — The Somerset Patriots clinched the Eastern League's Northeast Division first-half title on Friday night at TD Bank Ballpark as they demolished the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, 12-1, to secure a playoff berth. This is the Patriots second consecutive Northeast Division title. Later this season the Patriots will have a chance to defend their title and play one of the second half champions in September. Somerset manager Raul Dominguez answered questions about the victory on Friday.
“There were a lot of questions about whether we would go to the playoffs again and it is going to be a new challenge for you as a first-year manager. It’s not just me, it’s all of the staff; everybody just put the pieces together to win the first half.” -Raul Dominguez
CELEBRATION IN SOMERSET🍾🎉
The Patriots are First-Half Champions in the Eastern League for the second straight season🏆 pic.twitter.com/HihfGxBz1M
— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) June 24, 2023
Yankees #5 Top Prospect Trey Sweeney continues to deliver and make an impact on the team. The lefty is starting to heat up again as he started the season with an OPS of 1.111 over his first 15 AB's in Somerset. On Sunday, he almost hit for the cycle and had two RBIs. He has been hot this month, hitting .287/.368/.596, 10 HR, 34 RBI, 10 SB, .802 OPS. Sweeney has homered in five of his last six games with nine RBIs in that span. He hit a two-run home run in the 11th inning to tie the game and was at the plate when the Somerset walked it off in the 14th inning. He has been productive at the plate and making impactful contributions to the team. Trey Sweeney talks about his adjustments at the plate and what the win meant to him.
” I’ve been feeling good all year and I think I cleaned my swing up a little bit that has helped me have success of late. I’m really feeling good and seeing the ball well."
“This has been such a great experience, we’re playing to win every day and we just sealed a spot in the playoffs, so that was our main goal.”
Trey Sweeney is a machine🤖
The #Yankees No. 5 prospect ropes a go-ahead two-run triple to give us a 7-5 lead🔥 pic.twitter.com/8BQ2lmly4p
— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) June 25, 2023
Carlos Rodón completed his first two rehab assignments at Somerset. Carlos Rodon first outing stats: 3 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 SO, 42 pitches (27 strikes). Rodón's second outing was also great. He threw almost 50 pitches and worked on breaking balls early in the count as his velocity was at 95-96. After giving up a double in the second inning, he settled in. Rodón said he was holding back but had more left in tank but has to stick to 50 pitches to avoid any more setbacks. His final line for second outing: 4 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 4 S0 , 0 BB, 48 pitches (36 strikes). Rodón will likely get another start this week with the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre at Syracuse. If all goes as planned after his three rehab starts, he would be ready to debut at Yankee Stadium by July 5th as reported by Randy Miller.
Carlos Rodon highlights from @SOMPatriots today 4 IP 4 SO 0 ER 🔥 pic.twitter.com/tMgRIWY0fQ
— Dugout Station (@DugoutStation) June 26, 2023
“Hit the pitch count well, a little under, but still got 50 in. Had to go down and throw two more. Got up and down four times and mixed in a little bit of everything, so it was good.” Rodon said, who was wearing the Patriot's Zorro Jerseys this weekend. He added, "I guess the last time I'll throw in orange. First time in Double-A has been good to me."
Yankees SP Carlos Rodón interview on the improvements in his 2nd rehab start for @SOMPatriots pic.twitter.com/CVbZFqQ5EZ
— Dugout Station (@DugoutStation) June 25, 2023
Ian Hamilton had an excellent third outing with the Patriots. Hamilton pitched a perfect inning on Saturday's game with the Somerset Patriots. Stat Line: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 1 SO, 0 BB, 14 pitches (13 strikes). Ian Hamilton was with the team in the clubhouse on Sunday with his bags packed as it looks like he is traveling west with the Yankees, as per Gary Phillips. Ian stated he felt good after a few rehab assignments at Somerset. He expects to play with the Yanks in their series against Oakland this week.
Pure filth from #Yankees RHP Ian Hamilton to strike out the first batter he see's on rehab assignment🎟️ pic.twitter.com/sy7FAKw2eE
— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) June 18, 2023
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