Lancaster, Penn. – In just his second start back in the rotation, Logan Darnell tossed his best outing as a Somerset Patriot (42-27) in a 5-1 defeat of the Lancaster Barnstormers (37-31) Saturday night at Clipper Magazine Stadium.

Somerset started the scoring in the top of the second inning. Scott Kelly and Christian Marrero each drew a walk with the bases loaded to plate the first two runs, before Greg Golson pitched in a sacrifice fly to center and Carlos Guzman added an RBI single top off the four-run frame. 

The Patriots increased their lead to 5-0 on Tyler Bortnick’s RBI single in the top of the fifth. Lancaster added a two-out RBI single from Lastings Milledge in the bottom of the eighth to get on the scoreboard, but could not get closer.

Darnell (4-2) earned the win after yielding just one run over 7.1 innings on five hits with a season-high seven strikeouts. The southpaw at one point retired 12-straight batters and did not allow his lone run until the bottom of the eighth.

“I thought he was able to command everything, mix it up well and keep [the Barnstormers] off balance,” said Somerset Patriots manager Brett Jodie of Darnell’s performance. “He got ahead early in the count, inducing weak contact, which allowed him to work deep in the ballgame. He did a tremendous job tonight.

John Anderson (0-1) took the loss after he allowed four runs on one hit and four walks in 1.1 innings of work.

The Patriots and Barnstormers conclude their three-game set Sunday afternoon in Lancaster. David Kubiak (3-6, 3.37 ERA) takes the mound for Somerset against Lancaster righty Bryan Evans (5-2, 5.13 ERA). First pitch at Clipper Magazine Stadium scheduled for 2:00 p.m.

Tickets to the 2017 Somerset Patriots Season presented by Ford, which includes the team’s 20th Anniversary, are on sale now. TD Bank Ballpark will be the host of the 2017 Atlantic League All-Star Game presented by RWJBarnabas Health and Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey on Wednesday, July 12^th. For more information, stop by the ballpark, call (908) 252-0700, or visit www.somersetpatriots.com.

 About The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball (ALPB)

The Atlantic League has been a leader in professional baseball and a gateway to Major League Baseball since 1998. Over 36 million fans have attended Atlantic League games and more than 800 players and 50 managers and coaches have joined MLB organizations directly from the ALPB. The Atlantic League emphasizes winning baseball games, showcasing the talent of top-caliber players and offering affordable family entertainment to metropolitan markets serving nearly 15% of the US population.

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