Early Lead Doesn't Hold as Portland Falls Again in Somerset

Bridgewater Township, New Jersey – The Somerset Patriots (27-20) scored 11 unanswered runs to beat the Portland Sea Dogs (31-17) 11-7 on Thursday night. Despite the loss, Portland remains in first place of the Northeast Division, 3.5 games ahead of the second-place Somerset Patriots.

Sterling Sharp shined with 5.0 innings of scoreless ball, allowing just two hits while walking one and striking out three as Nick Yorke extended his on-base streak to thirteen games.

Portland took the early lead courtesy of an RBI single by Stephen Scott in the top of the first inning. A sacrifice fly by Phillip Sikes along with an RBI double by Matthew Lugo (12) would extend Portland’s lead, 3-0.

Corey Rosier hit a two-run triple in the top of the fourth inning to record his second triple of the season. Two more runs came across after a sacrifice fly by Ceddanne Rafaela along with a bases-loaded walk by Phillip Sikes put Portland on top, 7-0.

Somerset scored their first runs in the bottom of the sixth after working two-bases loaded walks along with a sacrifice fly by Anthony Seigler.

The scoring continued for Somerset in the bottom of the seventh with another bases-loaded walk before a grand slam off the bat of Tyler Hardman put Somerset on top 8-7 for the first time in the ballgame.

Somerset solidified the 11-7 final score after Jasson Dominguez extended the lead with a three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth.

Nick Yorke extended his on base streak to thirteen games after going three-for-five with three singles. Matthew Lugo, Alex Binelas, and Corey Rosier also recorded multi-hit games, all going two-for-five at the plate.

Somerset reliever RHP Justin Wilson (2-1, 4.34 ERA) earned the win after pitching 2.0 scoreless innings allowing one hit while striking out one. He did not issue a walk. Portland reliever RHP Ryan Zeferjahn (0-1, 6.14 ERA) was issued the loss after pitching 1.0 inning allowing two runs on two hits while walking one and striking out one.

The Sea Dogs return to TD Bank Ballpark tomorrow, June 2, 2023 for game four of a six-game series against the Somerset Patriots. First pitch for game four is slated for 6:35pm. Somerset will send RHP Blane Abeyta (2-3, 6.75 ERA) to the mound while the arm for Portland has yet to be announced.