SeaWolves Stall Out Against Somerset, Fall 5-2
The SeaWolves tried for another comeback win on Friday night, but could not break through against the Somerset Patriots, dropping their first game of the series 5-2. Each side scored two runs in the first inning, but a three-run home run by Olvier Dunn in the fourth inning made the
The SeaWolves tried for another comeback win on Friday night, but could not break through against the Somerset Patriots, dropping their first game of the series 5-2. Each side scored two runs in the first inning, but a three-run home run by Olvier Dunn in the fourth inning made the difference.
Elvin Rodriguez had a tough return to the mound after not pitching for nearly three weeks. Oswald Peraza lofted the fourth pitch of the game off of Erie Insurance Arena for his first Double-A home run. Oswaldo Cabrera followed up with a double to continue the pressure. After a ground out advanced the runner, Cabrera came home to score on the back end of a double steal, completing the two-run inning. Rodriguez bounced back to toss two more innings, both scoreless, before departing.
Erie flashed more of their comeback potential in the first inning. Riley Greene opened the frame with a single up the middle, and scored on a Drew Ward double to left field. Kerry Carpenter went in tandem with Ward with his own double to left field, tying the game at two.
Somerset starter Shawn Semple bounced back from the shaky opening to finish five innings and earn the win. Somerset got scoreless outings from Reid Anderson and Kevin Gadead out of the bullpen, and finally a scoreless ninth by Stephen Ridings for the save.
After Erie had tied the game, Somerset broke through Joe Navilhon in the fourth inning. Following a walk and a hit batter, Oliver Dunn homered into the right field netting, pushing Somerset ahead for good.
Ruben Garcia tossed two scoreless innings in relief for his Double-A debut. After getting called up from High-A the day before, Garcia struck out one batter and gave up two hits. Ethan DeCaster logged a scoreless ninth inning to finish the day for Erie. DeCaster has collected 13.2 scoreless innings since the start of the season.
Erie will try again to win the series on Saturday night. During Strike Out Cancer Weekend, players will continue to don special cancer awareness jerseys that will be auctioned off through LiveSource, with proceeds benefitting cancer support initiatives of the Hillman Cancer Fund of the Hamot Health Foundation, and the first 1,000 fans at UPMC Park on Saturday will receive a replica Strike Out Cancer jersey, all presented by UPMC Health Plan. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.