SOMERSET, N.J. — The Hartford Yards’ bullpen faltered late as the Somerset Patriots, Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, took Game 1 of the Eastern League playoff series 3-2 on Tuesday night.
Game 2 of the Yard Goats’ first-ever playoff series is Thursday night at Dunkin’ Park with Game 3, if necessary, on Friday.
After the Yard Goats had taken a 2-1 lead on a Juan Gerrero solo home run in the seventh, Somerset touched Yard Goats relievers Carson Skipper and Juan Mejia for two runs in the bottom of the eighth.
Eric Reyzelman allowed a leadoff walk to start the ninth but then struck out the side to earn the save.
Top Rockies prospect Chase Dollander started and went five innings for Hartford, allowing a run on five hits with four strikeouts and four walks.
The Yard Goats took a 1-0 lead in the third on an RBI double by shortstop Ryan Ritter. Somerset quickly answered on a solo home run by Spencer Jones in the bottom of the inning.
Patriots starter Bailey Dees went 6 2/3 innings allowing two runs on four hits with nine strikeouts. Danny Watson earned the win with 1 1/3 innings of shutout relief. Skipper took the loss and Mejia was handed a blown save.
