AtL Somerset Patriots

Larson's Three Homers Not Enough

Published on September 10, 2008 under Atlantic League (AtL)
Somerset Patriots News Release


CENTRAL ISLIP , NY- Third baseman Brandon Larson slugged three home runs on Wednesday evening but it was not enough as the Long Island Ducks defeated the Somerset Patriots 7-5 in front of 5,904 fans at Citibank Park. The three homers gave him a new Patriots single season record for home runs with 29 and tied a team record for home runs in a game.

The Patriots struck first with a pair of runs in the top of the first inning to take an early 2-0 lead when centerfielder Sean Smith led off with a single to center and scored on a mammoth one out two run home run to left by Larson (27).

The Ducks answered with a run in the bottom of the first inning to cut the Patriots' lead to 2-1 when third baseman Bryant Nelson led off with a single to center, moved into scoring position on a ground out and a stolen base and came around to score on a sacrifice fly to right off the bat of first baseman Pete Rose Jr.

Somerset added a run in the top of the third inning to make it 3-1 when Larson crushed a lead off solo home run (28) to left, his second of the game.

The Patriots plated two more runs in the top of the fifth inning to extend their lead to 5-1 when Smith reached on a Ducks' fielding error on a ground ball to first and scored on the third home run of the game by Larson (29), a two run shot crushed to left.

Long Island scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to take a 6-5 lead. Rose Jr. led off with a single to center and moved to second on a walk by designated hitter Carl Everett. After a fielder's choice off the bat of shortstop Edgardo Alfonzo, centerfielder Damian Rolls hit a one out bloop RBI single to right to plate Rose Jr. Then after leftfielder Melvin Falu was hit-by-a-pitch, rightfielder Kevin Haverbusch hit a grand slam home run (11) to left to clear the bases and give the Ducks the lead.

The Ducks added a run in the bottom of the seventh inning to make it 7-5 when second baseman Ray Navarrete hit a lead off solo home run (26) to left.

Ducks' starter Alay Soler (4-5) picked up the win, allowing five runs, four earned, on five hits while striking out four and walking three in six innings of work. Patriots' starter Brian Adams (10-7) suffered the loss, allowing six runs on nine hits while walking one and striking out one in 5.2 innings pitched. Ducks' closer Charlie Weatherby pitched the ninth inning for his seventh save of the year.

With the loss the Patriots dropped to 25-34 in the second half and 65-64overall on 2008 season while the Ducks improved to 34-25 and 66-63.

The 2008 Somerset Patriots season presented by Ford will continue on the road until Friday, September 12th when the Patriots return to Commerce Bank Ballpark for a 7:05 pm game against the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. The game includes a Post Game Fireworks Extravaganza courtesy of The Provident Bank. 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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Atlantic League Stories from September 10, 2008


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