Pinstriped Performances: Patriots Win First Half Championship

The Yankees will have at least one affiliate represented in the 2022 postseason, as the Patriots clinched a berth in dramatic fashion on Sunday. Scranton clubbed five homers in finishing off one of its stronger series.

Oswald Peraza celebrates with Oswaldo Cabrera after hitting a home run for Somerset. Photo by Chris Jones.

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (30-42): Oswald Peraza led the charge with two home runs as the RailRiders stomped Toledo 8-2 to split the six-game set.

• Star of the Game: Oswald Peraza – 3-for-5, 2 home runs (9), 1 double, 2 RBI, 2 runs scored. Peraza hit a pair of solo shots and has a nine-game hitting streak going
• Jose Peraza: 2-for-5, 1 home run (4), 2 RBI, 2 runs scored. Peraza’s homer added some insurance runs in the ninth
• Phillip Evans: 2-for-3, 1 home run (5), 2 RBI, 1 run scored, 1 walk
• Max McDowell: 2-for-4, 1 home run (1), 1 RBI, 1 run scored, 1 strikeout. McDowell hadn’t gone yard since September 17 of last year
• Vinny Nittoli: 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 3 K, 49 pitches (26 strikes)
• Michael Gomez: 3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 38 pitches (26 strikes). Gomez earned the win to improve his record to 2-3
• Jimmy Cordero: 0.2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 13 pitches (9 strikes)
• Shane Greene: 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 15 pitches (11 strikes)
• Greg Weissert: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 11 pitches (6 strikes)

Luis Medina. Photo by Matt Kardos

Somerset Patriots (44-25): There was some October-like drama in June as the Patriots went ahead 4-0, blew the lead a half inning later, and walked off the Yard Goats 6-5 thanks to Anthony Volpe’s 10th-inning blast as they clinched the first half title and a spot in the postseason.

• Star of the Game: Anthony Volpe – 1-for-4, 1 home run (10), 3 RBI, 2 runs scored. Volpe led off the 10th and took the fourth pitch he saw to dead center, capping off a monster run for the system’s top prospect after he was slow out of the gate this year
• Elijah Dunham: 2-for-4, 1 double, 3 RBI, 1 strikeout. Dunham cleared the bases in the seventh with a double, putting the Patriots ahead 4-0
• Luis Medina: 6 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K, 75 pitches (51 strikes). Medina’s streak of allowing no more than two runs in a start has now hit seven
• Aroldis Chapman: 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 11 pitches (7 strikes)
• Josh Maciejewski: 0.0 IP, 2 H, 4 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 0 K, 13 pitches (7 strikes)
• Carlos Espinal: 2.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R (0 ER), 1 BB, 2 K, 33 pitches (21 strikes)
• Barrett Loseke: 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 8 pitches (6 strikes). Loseke moved to 6-0 with the win

Everson Pereira (John Brophy / Pinstriped Prospects)

Hudson Valley Renegades (34-35): The ‘Gades dropped the series finale 4-1 to Winston-Salem, and in losing three in a row to close out the week, again slipped under the .500 mark.

• Star of the Game: Everson Pereira – 1-for-4, 1 home run (7), 1 RBI, 1 run scored, 1 strikeout. Pereira’s third-inning solo shot was the only offense of the day for the ‘Gades
• Aaron Palensky: 2-for-3, 1 double
• Aldenis Sanchez: 1-for-3, 1 strikeout, 1 stolen base
• TJ Sikkema: 3.2 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 59 pitches (37 strikes)
• Leif Strom: 2.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 33 pitches (21 strikes)
• Nelvin Correa: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 18 pitches (11 strikes). Correa took the loss
• Nelson L. Alvarez: 1 IP, 1 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 16 pitches (9 strikes)

Benjamin Cowles. Photo provided by University of Maryland

Tampa Tarpons (29-40): The Tarpons lost 3-1 to visiting Clearwater.

• Star of the Game: Benjamin Cowles – 2-for-3, 1 double, 1 RBI, 1 walk. Cowles is hitting .316 this month
• Austin Wells: 1-for-2, 2 walks
• Zach Messinger: 3.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 3 K, 66 pitches (37 strikes)
• Gerrit van Zijll: 1.1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 21 pitches (12 strikes). Van Zijll lost his first decision of the year
• Bailey Dees: 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 3 K, 28 pitches (18 strikes)
• Ryan Anderson: 1 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 17 pitches (14 strikes)
• Enrique Santana: 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 1 K, 20 pitches (8 strikes)