The Somerset Patriots defeated the Bridgeport Bluefish 13-3 at TD Bank Ballpark on Tuesday evening. The Patriots took an early lead in the bottom of the first inning. Shortstop Anthony Granato doubled, third baseman Jeff Nettles followed with a double to drive him home, and catcher Jason Belcher doubled to plate Nettles. Second baseman Teuris Olivares (10) followed with a two run homerun for the 4-0 lead.
The Bluefish scored a run in the top of the second inning after a solo homerun by first baseman Jesse Hoorelbeke (20) to cut the lead to 4-1.
Somerset added three runs in the bottom of the second inning after center fielder Mike Rodriguez tripled, designated hitter Noah Hall singled to drive him home, and Nettles (14) followed with a two run homerun to make the score 7-1.
Bridgeport added a run in the top of the fourth inning after a solo homerun by Hoorelbeke (21) to make the score 7-2.
Somerset answered in the bottom of the fourth inning after Nettles tripled and scored on an RBI single by right fielder Joe Burke for the 8-2 advantage.
The Patriots scored in the bottom of the sixth inning after Nettles doubled, Belcher singled, and Olivares singled to plate Nettles. First baseman Travis Anderson then walked, Burke singled home Belcher, and left fielder Elliott Ayala hit into a fielder’s choice that brought home Olivares. Granato followed with a walk, Rodriguez walked to force home Anderson, and Hall hit into a fielder’s choice to score Ayala to make the score 13-2.
The Bluefish added a run in the top if the eighth inning to make the score 13-3 after a solo homerun by center fielder Adam Greenberg (3).
Patriots starter Chris Buglovsky (6-2) picked up the win after allowing two earned runs on four hits and five strikeouts in six innings pitched. Bluefish starter Gary Knotts (5-10) suffered the loss after giving up seven earned runs on ten hits in 1.2 innings pitched.
The 2009 Somerset Patriots Season presented by Ford will continue at home on Wednesday night with a 6:35 pm game against the Bridgeport Bluefish. The first 2,000 fans in attendance will be able to play Petrock's Baseball Bingo for great prizes courtesy of Petrock's. The game also includes a Job Fair at the ballpark. For tickets, stop by the Patriots Ticket Office located at the ballpark, call (908) 252-0700, or visit www.somersetpatriots.com.
