Somerset Patriots

I spent last night at a Somerset (NJ) Patriots game. It was a lot of fun. The stadium sits about a half-hour out the train line near my home. The Patriots were playing the Long Island Ducks. After 8 1/2 innings, the Patriots, who, if I understood right, are managed by former Met? Sparky Lyle, were behind 2-1. It was then that good managing came in. After one batter hit a long fly, the Patriots put in a pinch hitter. He got a base on balls. Then, he was yanked for a speedster. The speedster seemed to produce the desired effect, distracting the pitcher enough that the next batter put a Texas-leaguer down the first base line. The pinch runner's blazing speed brought him home, and the response allowed the hitter to advance to second. A massive fly ball by the next batter was enough to bring him home. Game over! The Patriots win!