Patriots head into new month hoping to turn corner

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. – Brett Jodie’s agenda was simple heading into the series finale against the surging York Revolution.

He wants his guys to contribute in a positive way and not try to overdo it at the plate.

“Don’t try and hit that ‘five-run homer,'” Jodie said.

“I think we get in trouble if we try to take on too much. Take your walk, hit your single or get a guy over, just a positive contributing AB or a positive inning pitching. Do the best with what you have in front of you and control what you can control. I think if we do that and take care of our individual things, then I think we’ll be fine as a team.”

The Revolution (14-5, 48-40) own the top batting average (.303), on-base percentage (.367) and has scored the most runs in the league (500) so far this season and are searching for its ninth straight road victory in Thursday’s series finale at TD Bank Ballpark.

Somerset needs a win in the worst way after they’ve dropped eight of nine and sit in the basement of the second half standings at 6-13.

The Patriots took some hits to the rotation and lineup with contracts being purchased, most recently Ramon Flores going to the Minnesota Twins. However, Jodie remains confident the guys he has in the clubhouse can still compete.

Tonight's @HorizonBCBSNJ #HealthyLineup:@ItAintEasy37 is back on the bump following a perfect nine innings his last time out pic.twitter.com/Vn7fQCnmkA

— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) August 1, 2019

“Nobody cares about any excuses whether they’re real or not, and I don’t either,” Jodie said. “We have enough guys and we have to find a way to get it done. We have guys in this clubhouse who we feel are very capable.”

A handful of the recent games have been close despite the spell. Three or fewer runs have decided three of the last four games.

“[York] has a tough lineup,” Jodie said. “Top to bottom they can hurt you in any aspect of the game. I think a lot of our games, even though we’ve lost them, they’re tight for the most part. We’re sitting there within striking distance, but we’re not pushing those extra runs across. It seems like they can score at will almost. I feel like we’re doing a fairly good job overall of suppressing their offense – definitely not eliminating or stopping it – but I feel like we’re minimizing it and giving ourselves a chance. That’s all you can ask for against an offense like that.”

Somerset plates southpaw Rick Teasley, who is coming off throwing nine perfect innings in his last start on July 26. The Patriots face righty Ricky Schafer.

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