Pinstriped Performances: Erie Takes Game 1 of Championship Series

The Patriots drew first blood against the SeaWolves, but the hosts battled back to move within a win of the Eastern League championship.

Michael Gomez. Photo by Matt Kardos

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (80-65): The RailRiders managed just a single hit and squandered an excellent start from Chi Chi Gonzalez in a 1-0 loss to the IronPigs.

• Star of the Game: Chi Chi Gonzalez – 6 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K, 76 pitches (50 strikes). The 30-year-old, signed on August 30, spun his best start as a RailRider
• Anthony Volpe: 0-for-3, 1 walk, 1 strikeout
• Josh Breaux: 1-for-3
• Michael Gomez: 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 23 pitches (14 strikes)
• Anthony Banda: 0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 19 pitches (12 strikes). Banda took the loss
• Jacob Barnes: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 4 pitches (2 strikes)

Will Warren. Photo by Chris Jones

Somerset Patriots: The Patriots led 2-0 and 5-3, but Erie rallied to erase both deficits and took the lead for good in the seventh in a 6-5 win to open the finals. The series shifts to Bridgewater for Monday’s Game 2, with the Patriots facing elimination.

• Star of the Game: Austin Wells – 2-for-4, 2 doubles, 2 RBI, 1 run scored. Wells doubled home the first two runs of the game in the third inning
• Jasson Dominguez: 2-for-4, 1 double, 1 run scored
• Tyler Hardman: 1-for-3, 1 double, 2 RBI, 2 strikeouts
• Will Warren: 4 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, 81 pitches (50 strikes). Warren missed plenty of bats, but also served up two home runs
• Shawn Semple: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 24 pitches (14 strikes)
• Matt Minnick: 0.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 5 pitches (4 strikes)
• Aaron McGarity: 1.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R (0 ER), 0 BB, 4 K, 34 pitches (25 strikes). McGarity took a tough-luck loss
• Carson Coleman: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 4 pitches (3 strikes)