On Friday, July 3, The Somerset Patriots defeated the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs 8-6 in front of an Atlantic League record crowd of 8,537 fans at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater, NJ.
The Blue Crabs took an early lead in the top of the first inning after right fielder John Ramistella (8) hit a solo homerun to left field. Third baseman Mike Just then singled, shortstop Travis Garcia singled, first baseman Patrick Osborn singled, and left fielder James Shanks doubled to score Just and Garcia. Center fielder Jeremy Owens followed with a double to score Osborn and Shanks to make the score 5-0.
Somerset answered with three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Right fielder Mike Rodriguez singled, second baseman Matt Hagen doubled, and third baseman Jeff Nettles hit a sacrifice fly to plate Rodriguez. Catcher Jason Belcher (2) followed with a two run homerun to cut the lead to 5-3.
The Patriots tied the game in the bottom of the third inning after Nettles doubled, designated hitter Teuris Olivares doubled to score Nettles, and left fielder Elliott Ayala singled to drive home Olivares to make the score 5-5.
Somerset scored in the bottom of the fourth inning after first baseman Joe Burke doubled and scored on an RBI single by Rodriguez for the 6-5 lead.
The Patriots added to their lead in the bottom of the sixth inning after shortstop Anthony Granato walked and later scored on a sacrifice fly to center field by Rodriguez to make the score 7-5.
Southern Maryland scored in the top of the eighth inning after a solo homerun by Owens (15) to cut the lead to 7-6.
The Patriots added to their lead in the bottom of the eighth inning. Center fielder Sean Smith singled, stole second, and scored on an RBI single by Nettles to make the score 8-6.
Patriots starter Brian Adams (8-4) picked up the win after allowing six earned runs on nine hits and nine strikeouts in 7.2 innings pitched. Blue Crabs starter Joe Gannon (5-9) suffered the loss after allowing seven earned runs on 12 hits in 5.1 innings pitched. Patriots closer Bret Prinz (5) got the save after pitching a scoreless ninth inning.