Vrieling, Patriots Fire One-Hit Shutout In Series Opening Win Over Altoona

BRIDGEWATER, NJ - The Somerset Patriots fired a one-hit shutout to defeat the Altoona Curve 2-0 on Friday night in their series opener at TD Bank Ballpark. Friday marked the second one-hit shutout of the season for Somerset, with the first coming on 4/19 vs. HFD.

The one-hit gem was the Patriots sixth shutout of the season and first hurled since 5/19 vs. POR. Out the Patriots six shutouts, Friday was the fourth started by Trystan Vrieling.

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RHP Trystan Vrieling (6 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 3 BB, 3 K) dealt 6 shutout IP, failing to allow a hit through his first 5.2 IP. Friday marks the second time this season Vrieling has taken a no-hitter into the 6th inning, the first of which came on 4/19 vs. HFD when he rifled 7.2 hitless IP before being lifted from the ballgame. Vrieling has allowed only 2 ER over 14 IP (1.28 ERA) in his last three starts with 10 K. The Yankees No. 22 prospect has conceded 2 ER or less in eight of his 18 appearances (17 starts) this season. Vrieling ranks among Eastern League leaders with 96.2 IP (4th), 91 K (6th), and 7 W (T-3rd).

RHP Eric Reyzelman (1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 2 K) picked up his first Double-A save in his first Double-A save opportunity, striking out two in a perfect 9th. Across three levels this season, Reyzelman has posted a 0.83 ERA in 21.2 IP with 36 K and 8 BB.

C Rafael Flores (3-for-4, RBI) broke the stalemate with a go-ahead RBI single in the 8th inning, registering his first three-hit game at the Double-A level. Friday marked Flores’s third multi-hit performance with Somerset and 20th total multi-hit game of the season over 75 games between Somerset and High-A Hudson Valley. His three hits matched a season-high, last accomplished on 5/16 @JS as a member of High-A Hudson Valley. Flores has reached safely in four straight games and six of his last seven contests.

RF Elijah Dunham (2-for-4, RBI) extended the Patriots lead to 2-0 with an 8th inning RBI single as part of a two-hit night. Dunham recorded his third straight multi-hit game, 17th multi-hit game of the season, and eighth over his last 13 games. Dunham, the winner of Eastern League Player of the Week in back-to-back weeks, has hit safely in 20 of his last 21 games and reached base in 24 of his last 25. Over his last 25 games since 6/13 @BNG, Dunham is slashing .370/.427/.710 with 7 HR, 23 RBI, 19 XBH, and 18 R. Since 6/13, Dunham leads the Eastern League in SLG (.710), OPS (1.137), H (37), 2B (11), XBH (19), and TB (71).

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