The Somerset Patriots dropped the series finale to the Richmond Flying Squirrels 5-1 at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater, NJ on Sunday evening.
The loss dropped Somerset to 4.5 games back of first-place Reading in the Northeast Division at the time of the game’s conclusion. With the result, Somerset earned at least a series split in consecutive weeks for the first time in the second half. The Patriots are 8-4 during that stretch.
The Patriots closed the regular season series with a 4-8 record against Richmond.
RHP Ben Hess (6.1 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K) earned his first quality start of the season and third career quality start at Double-A. It was his first quality start with Somerset since September 10, 2025 at Reading. Hess tossed a Double-A career-high 6.1 IP alongside a season-high 85 pitches.
Hess worked 5.0-plus innings for the fourth straight start. In that span, he’s 2-2 with a 2.49 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and .211 BAA with 22 K to 4 BB in 21.1 IP. In Hess’ last six starts, he’s posted a 2.97 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and .208 BAA with 29 K to 9 BB in 30.1 IP.
CF Jace Avina (1-for-1, 3 BB, SB) extended his on-base streak to a team-leading 12 games with three walks, before notching a single in the eighth inning. Avina matched a career-high with three walks for the seventh time and first time since July 31 vs. Richmond. After reaching in all four plate appearances, Avina has reached base safely in 23 of 55 plate appearances (.436 OBP) during his 12-game on-base streak.
2B Connor McGinnis (1-for-4, R) scored Somerset’s lone run after singling to lead off the seventh inning. With hits in four of his last five games, McGinnis is 6-for-18 (.333 AVG) in that span. Across his last 39 games dating back to his first Double-A homer on June 16 at Portland, McGinnis is slashing .270/.338/.475 with 6 HR, 16 XBH and 22 RBI.
SS Kevin Verde (1-for-4, RBI) laced an RBI single to center field to score McGinnis in the seventh inning. Verde extended his hit streak to a season-high six games. In that span, he’s 9-for-19 with 3 HR, 5 XBH, 10 RBI, 2 BB and 3 R.
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