Somerset Patriots rout Erie to force decisive Game 3 of Eastern League Championship Series

BRIDGEWATER – There will be a winner-take-all championship showdown at TD Bank Ballpark Wednesday night.

Somerset catcher Austin Wells laced a first-inning three-run homer over the right-field fence and the Patriots never looked back in a 9-2 rout of the Erie SeaWolves Tuesday night to force a decisive Game 3 of the Eastern League Championship Series.

Somerset and Erie will be looking for their first Eastern League championship when Yankees No. 15 prospect Randy Vasquez starts for the Patriots opposite Tigers No. 4 prospect Ty Madden in Game 3, with first pitch slated for 6:35 p.m.

The first five Patriots reached off Erie starter Chance Kirby when they sent four runs across in the first inning Tuesday night.

“We wanted to come out and make a statement early, felt like we should have won the last game, so we had a lot of confidence going into the game and it was great to jump out ahead early,” said Wells who reached base and scored three times.

Jasson Dominguez and Elijah Dunham, two hits and two RBI each, added second-inning homers for Somerset as it built an 8-2 lead.

Andres Chaparro provided an RBI double and Jesus Bastidas a run-scoring sac fly for the Patriots.

“In a game like today where it’s win or go home for us, us getting out to a lead there was crucial,” said Somerset manager Dan Fiorito, “but I felt like we did a great job of keeping our foot on the gas there the whole game.”

Kirby, who led the Eastern League in ERA (2.62), WHIP (0.94) and BAA (.197), was chased after throwing just 31 pitches to 10 batters and allowing five earned runs for just the third time all season.

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Somerset starter Yoendrys Gomez tossed five innings of two-run, two-hit ball with a walk and six strikeouts to earn the victory.

Patriots relievers Barrett Loseke, Emmanuel Ramirez and Carlos Espinal combined for four scoreless innings as Somerset pitchers struck out 13 SeaWolves.

Corey Joyce took Gomez deep for a two-run homer in the second for Erie’s only runs.

“Get some good sleep tonight and try not to do anything more, nothing less,” said Wells about how Somerset can carry Game 2’s momentum over to winning a championship.

Fans can follow the action live as Steven Cusumano calls the play-by-play on MiLB.tv and FOX Sports New Jersey 93.5 FM | 1450 AM, the Flagship Station for Patriots Baseball, with pregame coverage beginning at 6:20 p.m.

This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Somerset Patriots win Game 2 of Eastern League championship