Nestor Impresses As Somerset Dominates in Series-Clinching Fourth Straight Win
The Somerset Patriots defeated the Hartford Yard Goats for a fourth straight day by a score of 7-2 on Sunday at Dunkin’ Park in Hartford, Connecticut. The Patriots hit 3+ home runs for the 30th time this season, improving to 28-2 in such games. The Patriots have hit 3+ home
The Somerset Patriots defeated the Hartford Yard Goats for a fourth straight day by a score of 7-2 on Sunday at Dunkin’ Park in Hartford, Connecticut.
The Patriots hit 3+ home runs for the 30th time this season, improving to 28-2 in such games.
The Patriots have hit 3+ home runs in all four games of their win streak to end the series in Hartford, for a total of 13 home runs in the four games. The streak of four straight games with 3+ home runs is Somerset’s longest of the season. During the streak, Somerset outscored Hartford 31-11 (+20).
Four different Patriots hit multiple home runs in the series, including Tyler Hardman (4), Elijah Dunham (3), T.J. Rumfield (2) and Ben Rice (2).
Somerset’s pitching staff struck out double-digit batters (12) for the 15th time in 20 games during the second half of the season.
This Nestor Cortes guy is pretty good👀
— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) July 23, 2023
2️⃣.1️⃣ IP | 1️⃣ R | 4️⃣ H | 4️⃣ K | 0️⃣ BB pic.twitter.com/1mIP58s9Oi
LHP Nestor Cortes (2.1 IP, 1 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 1 HR 4 K) commenced a Major League rehab assignment for the Yankees (left rotator cuff strain) and threw 42 pitches to 12 batters as the starter of the game.
RHP Matt Sauer (5.0 IP, 1 ER, 2 H, 2 BB, 6 K) tied season-highs in innings pitched and strikeouts, earning the win in his first relief outing since 2021.
1B T.J. Rumfield (1-for-5, RBI, R, HR, 3 K) opened up the scoring with his 17th homer of the season, going deep during his first at-bat in back-to-back games. The homer was Rumfield sixth of the season at Dunkin’ Park in Hartford.
LF Elijah Dunham (3-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 R, HR, 2B, BB, SB) also homered in two straight games, going back-to-back with Rumfield to give the Patriots a 2-0 lead with his fourth Double-A home run of the season.
Dunham’s three hits matched a season-high for the sixth total time this season, last on July 9 vs. Reading. Now having hit safely in four straight games, Dunham is 7-for-19 with 4 RBI, 7 R, 3 HR, 2B and 4 SB.
3B Tyler Hardman (2-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 R, HR, BB, 2 K, SB) hit his 24th home run of the season in the 8th
Hardman’s 24th homer continues to extend a single-season career-high mark, now tying him for the highest home run total in Minor League Baseball.
Hardman hit safely in all five games of the series in Hartford, going 9-for-19 with 8 RBI, 7 R, 4 HR, 4 BB and 1 SB. Hardman’s eight home runs in July match the eight home runs he posted in June.
Hereee's Hardmannnn😈
— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) July 23, 2023
Tyler Hardman now has four homers in his last three games and a league leading 24 on the year as we lead 6-2 in the 8th🔥 pic.twitter.com/csPEnRpdYh
SS Trey Sweeney (3-for-5, RBI, 2B, K) pieced together his sixth three-hit game of the season (season-high) and his 18th overall multi-hit game.
Sweeney has hit safely in seven straight games, going 12-for-33 (.364 BA) with 9 RBI, 6 R and 4 BB. Over his last 10 games, Sweeney is 16-for-50 (.320 BA) with 11 RBI, 11 R, 5 XBH and 7 BB.
CF Jasson Dominguez (2-for-5, R, K) registered his team-leading 20th multi-hit game of the season and his ninth during the month of July.
Box Score: 7-23-23