Patriots Power Gives Reading Their Phil
Published on June 1, 2021 under Eastern League (EL)
Somerset Patriots News Release
Donny Sands of the Somerset Patriots celebrates at home
(Somerset Patriots)
Bridgewater, New Jersey - The Somerset Patriots (17-7) hit a season-high five home runs, including two back-to-back shots, to top the Reading Fightin Phils (4-21) 6-1 at TD Bank Ballpark on Tuesday night.
Diego Castillo (2) and Donny Sands (2) got the scoring started early with the first back-to-back home runs in the opening frame.
"Donny has really worked hard this off season, he's stronger," Patriots manager Julio Mosquera said after the game. "(The power) doesn't really surprise me."
After a Daniel Brito RBI single cut the lead to 3-1, Sands (3) and Dermis Garcia (8) hit for the encore back-to-back homers in the third.
Garcia (9) joined Sands with his second long ball of the night in fifth inning to extend the Patriots' lead to 6-1.
The only thing that could match the offensive power was the lockdown pitching from JP Sears (W, 3-0). Sears threw a career-high 10 strikeouts over five innings to keep the Phils at bay.
"He was just always ahead of guys," Sands said. "It's hard for the opposing team when they're always behind."
Janson Junk (S, 1) came in to relieve Sears and continued to shut down Reading. He dealt four scoreless innings with five strikeouts to earn his first save of the season.
The teams face off again Wednesday night at TD Bank Ballpark with first pitch scheduled for 7:05. LHP Zack Britton (0-0, 0.00) will take the mound for Somerset against Reading's Taylor Lehman (1-0, 5.23).
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 Donny Sands of the Somerset Patriots celebrates at home |
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