Jackson Flashes as Akron Outlasts Somerset to Even Series
The Somerset Patriots fell to the Akron RubberDucks 7-5 at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater, NJ on Wednesday evening. With the loss, Somerset slipped to 3.5 games of first-place Reading in the Northeast Division with 16 games remaining in the second half. The loss dropped the Patriots to 3-5 against
The Somerset Patriots fell to the Akron RubberDucks 7-5 at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater, NJ on Wednesday evening.
With the loss, Somerset slipped to 3.5 games of first-place Reading in the Northeast Division with 16 games remaining in the second half. The loss dropped the Patriots to 3-5 against the RubberDucks this season, including a 1-1 record at TD Bank Ballpark.
Somerset scored two of its five runs in the first inning, pushing its first inning run total to an Eastern League-leading 83 this season.
The Patriots went 3-for-9 with RISP, signaling the fourth straight game Somerset has recorded at least three hits with RISP. Dating back to August 8 at Akron, Somerset has notched at least one hit with RISP in a season-high tying 16 consecutive games and multiple hits with RISP in 11 of those.
Somerset’s pitching staff combined for 11 strikeouts, marking the second consecutive game and third time in the last four contests the Patriots have punched out double-digit batters. Somerset’s .267 K% this season ranks fourth in Double-A.
Cade Smith (@Yankees No. 21 Prospect) already up to 3⃣ strikeouts through 2⃣ IP! 👀 pic.twitter.com/0BSYBevuog
— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) August 26, 2026
RHP Cade Smith (5.1 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 1 BB, 7 K) worked at least five innings for his fourth consecutive start. Smith struck out at least six batters for his third straight outing. Across that span, he’s tallied a 2.95 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and .175 BAA with 20 K to 3 BB.
LHP Geoff Gilbert (1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 2 K) worked his fourth scoreless outing in his last five appearances. In his last eight appearances, Gilbert has posted a 1.93 ERA, 0.79 WHIP and .091 BAA with 18 K to 7 BB in 14.0 IP.
Core Jackson with a FILTHY double play 🤯 pic.twitter.com/DEQNGzfdKV
— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) August 27, 2026
SS Core Jackson (2-for-4, SB, 2 R) recorded his third multi-hit game with Somerset and 20th across all levels this season. With two runs, Jackson has scored a run in five straight games with the Patriots. Since joining Somerset, Jackson has scored or recorded an RBI in all eight games he’s played. Jackson extended his hit streak to four games and on-base streak to six games. During his four-game hit streak, he’s 6-for-14 with four walks and two multi-hit games.
CF Jace Avina (2-for-4) worked his 24th multi-hit game of the season with a pair of singles. Avina has hit safely in three straight games for the first time since hitting in seven straight games from July 7 to July 17.
DH Omar Alfonzo (1-for-4, 2 RBI) scorched a 101 mph RBI single to score Jackson in the third inning. Alfonzo has a hit in three of his last four games with two RBI in that span.
3B Coby Morales (2-for-3, RBI, BB, SB, R) notched his team-leading 32nd multi-hit game of the season. Morales’ RBI single in the first inning pushed his career-high RBI total to 76 this season. His 76 RBI rank fourth in the Yankees minor league system. Morales extended his on-base streak to a career-high 20 games. During Morales’ 20-game on-base streak, he’s slashing .329/.466/.486 with 2 HR, 6 RBI and 5 XBH.
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