Somerset Patriots vs. New Hampshire - ESPN's Ryan Smith
ESPN anchor Ryan Smith (Photo by Christopher Shannon/OnNJ Sports)
July 13, 2025

IMAGES: SportsCenter Visits Somerset, but Errors Cost “Diners” in Loss to New Hampshire

By Christopher Shannon

Somerset Patriots vs. New Hampshire - 07.12.2025

Image 1 of 23

Action from the Somerset Patriots' game against New Hampshire on July 12, 2025. (Photo by Christopher Shannon/OnNJ Sports)

Donning their Jersey Diners alter egos, the Somerset Patriots (New York Yankees, AA) fell to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Toronto Blue Jays, AA), 6-3, in an Eastern League tilt on July 12, 2025.

The Patriot defense committed four errors on the evening, with none being more critical than Max Burt’s third-inning error on a catch that, had the ball been caught cleanly, could have potentially led to an inning-ending double play.  Instead, New Hampshire scored four runs in the inning to take a lead that they would not relinquish.

The Somerset offense struggled as well.  Despite his error in the field, Burt led the Patriot offense with two hits, including a double, two RBIs, and a run scored. Rafael Flores, Dylan Jasso, and Duncan Pastore collected the other hits for Somerset.

The Yankees’ No. 6 prospect, Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz, made his Double-A debut on the mound, taking the loss for the Patriots.  Rodriguez-Cruz pitched six innings, surrendering six runs, three of them earned, while striking out three.

After the game ESPN’s SportsCenter filmed its “50 States in 50 Days” segment from Somerset.  In addition to being featured on SportsCenter, ESPN anchor, Ryan Smith took batting practice with Patriots prior to the game, threw out the first pitch, and participated in in-game contests.

About the Author

Christopher is the Photo Editor at OnNJ Sports.  You can often find Christopher along the sidelines at sporting events in Northern Jersey, or at West Point photographing athletic, and other, events there.  Christopher’s favorite events that he has had the opportunity to cover, so far in his career, include Penn State football White Out games and Army-Navy football games.  While Christopher enjoys photographing a wide variety of sports, his favorite to cover include football, volleyball, basketball, gymnastics, and lacrosse.

Related News