Rodriguez-Cruz Buzzes Seven Strikeouts in Series Finale Win over Binghamton Sunday
EL Somerset Patriots

Rodriguez-Cruz Buzzes Seven Strikeouts in Series Finale Win over Binghamton Sunday

August 10, 2025 - Eastern League (EL)
Somerset Patriots News Release


Somerset Patriots pitcher Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz
Somerset Patriots pitcher Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz
(Somerset Patriots)

The Somerset Patriots defeated the Binghamton Rumble Ponies in the finale of a six-game series at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater, N.J. on Sunday by a score of 2-0.

Somerset recorded its eighth shutout victory of the season and its first against Binghamton. With the win, the Patriots split their series with the Rumble Ponies. Somerset improves to 33-34 all-time against Binghamton with a series record of 4-3-5. With an attendance of 6,144, the Patriots played in front of their 18th sellout at TD Bank Ballpark this season.

RHP Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz (6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K) made his fifth start of the season with Somerset and earned his third consecutive winning decision.

In his two starts this week, Rodriguez-Cruz did not give up a run in 13.0 IP, allowing 5 H, 4 BB and tallying 15 K. Rodriguez-Cruz posted a 0.69 WHIP and a .119 BA against Binghamton this week. In Double-A, Rodriguez-Cruz has thrown 32.0 IP over which he has allowed 20 H, 5 ER, 8 BB and recording 30 K. In five starts, Rodriguez-Cruz has a 1.41 ERA, a 0.88 WHIP and a .177 BA. Rodriguez-Cruz leads all active Yankee minor leaguers in ERA (2.02), IP (115.2), BA (.175) and WHIP (1.01). Rodriguez-Cruz also ranks second in K (129), tied for second in GS (19), and third in W (9).

RHP Kelly Austin (1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K) earned his seventh save, tying for the most among all Yankee minor league pitchers.

Since 7/4 vs. REA, Austin has not allowed a run over which he has thrown 11.0 IP, allowing 7 H, 5 BB and recording 12 K. In this stretch, Austin has posted a 1.09 WHIP and a .175 BA in 10 outings.

CF Brendan Jones (1-for-3, R, RBI, 3B, BB, K) clocked an RBI triple in the third inning.

Jones recorded his second game-winning hit for the Patriots in as many days after his walk-off single on Saturday. Over his last 25 games since 7/8 vs. NH, Jones is 23-for-83 (.277/.417/.590) with 21 R, 11 XBH (2 2B, 3 3B, 6 HR), 21 RBI, 19 BB, 7 SB and a 1.007 OPS.

SS George Lombard Jr. (1-for-4, RBI, 2B, 2 K) smoked an RBI double in the eighth inning.

Check out the Somerset Patriots Statistics




Images from this story

Somerset Patriots pitcher Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz
Somerset Patriots pitcher Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz
   



Eastern League Stories from August 10, 2025


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central