YORK, PA- The Somerset Patriots defeated the York Revolution 17-2 in front of 2,800 fans at Sovereign Bank Stadium on Wednesday evening. The Patriots struck first with a run in the top of the first inning to take an early 1-0 lead when second baseman Teuris Olivares drew a two out walk and scored on a RBI single to deep left center field by designated hitter Brandon Larson.
Somerset broke the game open by scoring five runs in the top of the second inning to extend their lead to 6-0. Leftfielder Jason Romano led off the frame by crushing a solo home run to left, his 5th of the 2007 season. Rightfielder Luke Allen followed with a walk and moved to second on a one out single to left by catcher Jason Belcher. After a wild pitch, centerfielder Mike Lockwood drove a two out RBI single to left that plated Allen and Belcher then scored on a Revolution throwing error. Olivares followed with a RBI double off the left field wall that scored Lockwood and then Larson lined a RBI single to center to plate Olivares.
The Revolution scored their first run in the bottom of the second inning to make it 6-1 when first baseman Matt Dryer led off with a solo home run to left, his 13th of the year.
The Patriots added four more runs in the top of the fourth inning to take a commanding 10-1 lead. Belcher got the frame started when he slammed a lead off solo home run to left center, his 4th of the year. With two outs, Olivares drew a walk and Larson doubled into the left field corner. Third baseman Jose Morban then belted a three run home run over the left field wall, his 9th of the year.
Somerset plated five runs in the top of the sixth inning to make it 15-1. The Patriots loaded the bases on Revolution fielding error on a groundball to third by Larson, a single to right by Morban and a single to left by Romano. Larson and Morban would then score on a Revolution fielding error on a ground ball hit to first by Allen. First baseman Todd Leathers singled to reload the bases and then Belcher lined a RBI single to left center to score Romano. Shortstop Pattrick Boran followed with a sacrifice fly to right center to score Allen and then Allen scored on a Revolution throwing error.
The Patriots added a run in the top of the eighth inning to make it 16-1 when Leathers led off with a solo home run to left center, his 8th of the year.
York scored their final run in the bottom of the eighth inning to cut the Patriots lead to 16-2 when shortstop Rayner Bautista led off with a double to right center and scored on a RBI single to center by designated hitter Nate Espy.
Somerset scored their final run in the top of the ninth inning to make it 17-2 when shortstop Elliott Ayala led off with a solo home run to left center, his 4th of the year.
Patriots starter Brandon Knight (9-5) picked up the win, allowing one run on five hits while striking out seven and walking one in six innings of work. Revolution starter Chris Steinborn (7-13) suffered the loss, allowing ten runs on ten hits while walking three and striking out three in 3.2 innings pitched.
With the win the Patriots improved to 28-18 in the second half and 63-46 on the 2007 season while the Revolution dropped to 24-21 and 50-58 overall.
The Somerset Patriots 10th Anniversary Season presented by Ford will continue on the road until Tuesday, September 11th when the Patriots return home for a 7:05 pm game against the Lancaster Barnstormers. The game includes Law Enforcement Night & Wildlife Conservation Night. Great seats are available by stopping by the Patriots Ticket Office located at the ballpark, by calling (908) 252-0700, or on-line at www.somersetpatriots.com.
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