Bears beat Patriots with four run eighth

August 9, 2006 - Atlantic League (AtL)
Newark Bears News Release


NEWARK, NJ - August 9, 2006 - Newark Bears left-fielder Jose Herrera hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning, and center-fielder Al Benjamin added an RBI triple to complete a late game comeback and beat the Somerset Patriots 7-5 Wednesday evening at Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium. With the win, the Bears remain in second place in the North Division with a 12-11 record.

Six of the seven runs for the Bears came on the long ball including a solo home run by shortstop Liu Rodriguez in the bottom of the first inning giving the Bears a 1-0 lead. Catcher Victor Valencia hit a solo home in the bottom of the third inning. It was his 11th of the season, and sixth in the last eight games. Third baseman Victor Rodriguez added a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh to cut the Patriots lead to 4-3. It was his second of the season, and it also extended his hitting streak to 11 games.

For Somerset, right-fielder Ryan Radmanovich went 3-for-3 with a solo home run, his 21st, in the top of the third, two singles, two runs scored and an RBI. He scored his first run of the game on an RBI double by center-fielder Edgard Clemente in the top of the second tying the game at 1.

For the Bears, Liu Rodriguez finished the game 2-for-3 with his second home run of the season, two runs scored, and on RBI, while Victor Rodriguez ended 2-for-4 with two runs scored, and one RBI. First baseman Alexis Hernandez and center-fielder Anthony Sanders also ended with two hits.

Jeremy Hill (4-3) earned the victory after allowing one run on two hits in one inning of work striking out two, while Saul Solveson (3-4) took the loss allowing two runs on three hits in 2/3 of an inning. Joey Cole picked up his Atlantic League leading 18th save of the season. After Somerset jumped out to a 4-2 lead entering the fifth, the Bears bullpen allowed only one run on five hits in five innings striking out four.

The Bears and Patriots will play the rubber game of the three game series Thursday evening at Bears and Eagles Riverfront Stadium with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 pm. Carlos Mirabal (2-3) will make the start for Newark against Robert Averette (4-1) for the Patriots. Gates open at 5:35 pm to $1 drafts and pre-game performances by local Newark artists and DJ's, as well as a special appearance by rapper Craig Mack for Hip Hop Culture Night.



Atlantic League Stories from August 9, 2006


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