Jones' First Double-A Homer a Grand Slam, Rice Rages in Somerset's Sixth Straight Win

August 30, 2023 - Eastern League (EL)
Somerset Patriots News Release

Somerset Patriots' Ben Rice on game night
(Somerset Patriots)

The win improved Somerset to a season-best 27 games over .500 and a second half-best 11 games over .500 at 32-21. The Patriots have now won 14 of their last 18 games.

The win streak is Somerset's second this year of 6+ games (7-game win streak from 6/8-15).

RHP Richard Fitts (4.0 IP, 5 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 4 K, HR) started his 24th game of the season and got a no-decision.

CF Spencer Jones (1-for-4, 4 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB, 3 K, SB) crushed his first Double-A home run to highlight a six-run seventh inning. His first Double-A home run was a go-ahead grand slam that gave the Patriots an 8-6 lead in what was Jones' third Double-A game.

Jones also stole his first Double-A base, after drawing a walk in the first inning. In total on the season now, Jones has now posted 14 home runs and 36 stolen bases.

C Ben Rice (4-for-6, 5 RBI, 4 R, 2 HR, 2B, SB) smashed two home runs for the second time this season and in his career.

The 4 H, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 4 R and 11 TB all tied single-game career-highs for Rice. The 5 RBIs were a season-high mark for Rice.

The performance marked Rice's 15th multi-hit game and third four-hit game out of 34 games at the Double-A level.

Despite not being promoted to Double-A Somerset until July 18, Rice leads the Eastern League in the second half of the season (began on June 27) with 14 HR, 41 RBI, 100 TB, .714 SLG and 1.114 OPS. His 23 XBH, 100 TB and .343 AVG all rank second.

Since making his Double-A debut on July 19, Rice ranks among the Minor League Baseball leaders in TB (100, 1st), HR (14, 2nd), RBI (41, 2nd), SLG (.719, 3rd), XBH (23, T-3rd), OPS (1.122, 8th) and H (48, T-9th).

LF Elijah Dunham (3-for-5, 3 R, BB, K, 2 SB) matched a career-high with three runs scored for the sixth time in his career and second time this season.

Dunham's six hits matched his season-high for the seventh time this season.

Since joining Somerset on July 4, Dunham's 18 steals for the Patriots rank 2nd in the Eastern League (Corey Rosier, POR, 19).

Somerset Patriots' Ben Rice on game night

Eastern League Stories from August 30, 2023

• Jones' First Double-A Homer a Grand Slam, Rice Rages in Somerset's Sixth Straight Win - Somerset Patriots
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• August 30, 2023 Sea Dogs Game Notes - Portland Sea Dogs
• Binghamton Rumble Ponies and the Harriet Tubman Center of Binghamton University to Unveil Memorial Marker for Bud Fowler Friday - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
• Sea Dogs to Honor Gray-New Gloucester/Raymond Little League Team on Thursday - Portland Sea Dogs

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