Avina’s Big Night Sparks Series Opening Win Over Erie
The Somerset Patriots won the series opener over the Erie SeaWolves 7-5 at UPMC Park in Erie, PA on Tuesday evening. Somerset moved to 2.5 games back of first-place Reading in the Northeast Division with 11 games remaining in the second half. Somerset’s offense totaled 12 hits, its most in
The Somerset Patriots won the series opener over the Erie SeaWolves 7-5 at UPMC Park in Erie, PA on Tuesday evening.
Somerset moved to 2.5 games back of first-place Reading in the Northeast Division with 11 games remaining in the second half.
Somerset’s offense totaled 12 hits, its most in a game since a 10-9 series opening win over Akron on August 25. The Patriots have won five straight games when registering double-digit hits. Somerset tallied 11 hits from the third through sixth innings, tied for the third-most hits this season across the third through sixth innings. Somerset’s 11 hits after six innings were tied for the seventh-most in any game this season.
With Jace Avina’s home run in the seventh inning, Somerset has homered in four of its last five games. Somerset’s 180 home runs this season lead Double-A and are tied for sixth in MiLB at the time of the game’s conclusion.
With 11 strikeouts, Somerset pitching combined for double digit strikeouts for the sixth time in the last seven games. Dating back to August 25 vs. Akron, Somerset pitching has notched a .307 K% - the second-highest in Double-A at the time of the game’s conclusion.
Cade Smith (@Yankees No. 21 Prospect) strikes out Zyhir Hope (@Tigers No. 2 Prospect) in a 2⃣-strikeout scoreless first inning! 👀 pic.twitter.com/YOqU7FvduF
— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) September 1, 2026
RHP Cade Smith (4.1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K) made his team-leading 22nd start of the season. In the first inning, Smith punched out Tigers No. 2 prospect Zyhir Hope in a two-strikeout scoreless frame.
Combining for 4.1 innings allowing just one run, Somerset’s bullpen has allowed two or fewer runs in 20 of its last 24 games dating back to August 5. In that span, Patriot relievers have recorded a 12-3 record, 3.06 ERA and 1.04 WHIP with 125 K to 39 BB in 100.0 IP.
RHP Tony Rossi (1.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 3 K) struck out three across 1.1 IP to earn his sixth win of the season. In his last 17 outings, Rossi has a 1.99 ERA, 5-0 record, 2 SV, 0.84 WHIP and .154 BAA with 27 K with 7 BB in 22.2 IP.
RHP Kevin Stevens (1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K) recorded his fifth consecutive scoreless outing and 10th in his last 11 appearances. Across his last 11 outings, he’s posted a 0.75 ERA, 0.50 WHIP and .119 BAA with 19 K to 1 BB in 12.0 IP.
RHP Chris Veach (1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K) picked up his third save across all levels this season and first since May 29 vs. New Hampshire. Dating back to May 23, Veach has tossed seven scoreless outings in his last eight games pitched in. During that span, he’s registered a 1.00 ERA, 1-0 record, 0.78 WHIP and .103 BAA with 2 SV in 9.0 IP.
SS Core Jackson (2-for-5, 2 RBI, 2 R) cranked a two-RBI single in the sixth inning to give Somerset a 6-4 lead. Jackson’s two-RBI single secured his fourth multi-hit game at Double-A and 21st across all levels this season after singling and scoring in the third inning.
Jace Avina (@Yankees No. 25 Prospect) CRANKS a double down the left field line for his SECOND hit of the day! pic.twitter.com/O0MFv3DDFA
— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) September 1, 2026
CF Jace Avina (3-for-5, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, R) powered his 20th home run of the season to right field in the seventh inning to register his first-career 20-HR season. After Avina hit 19 HR in his first 81 games this season (318 AB), the homer snapped a streak of 27 games (98 AB) without a home run dating back to July 29 vs. Richmond.
With an RBI single down the left field line in the third inning and double in the fifth inning, Avina notched his eighth three-hit game of the season and 26th multi-hit game of the season. Avina has reached base safely in seven of his last eight games. In that span, he’s 13-for-36 (.361) with a .885 OPS alongside a HR, 8 RBI, 3 XBH and four multi-hit games.
C Omar Alfonzo (1-for-4, RBI) struck an opposite field RBI single off the left field wall in the third inning. Alfonzo recorded an RBI in back-to-back games for the second time since being traded to the Yankees.
3B Coby Morales (1-for-4, R) singled and scored in the sixth inning. Morales has reached base safely in 24 of his last 25 games. In that span, he’s slashing .302/.435/.430 with 2 HR, 7 RBI, 5 XBH and five multi-hit games.
DH Manny Palencia (2-for-4, R) snagged his second consecutive multi-hit game and 18th overall this season. Palencia has reached safely in 18 of his last 19 games. During that stretch, he’s slashing .343/.373/.700 with 7 HR, 18 RBI and 11 XBH. Since the beginning of July, Palencia has 13 multi-hit games and is slashing .356/.384/.593 with 7 HR, 22 RBI and 14 XBH in 32 games. That comes after slashing .208/.288/.215 with 0 HR, 7 RBI and 1 XBH in the season’s first 46 games.
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