STATEN ISLAND - The Auburn Doubledays could only manage three hits Tuesday night but they made them count as Cory Patton hit a first-inning, two-run home run to provide the bulk of the offense and give the Doubledays a 3-1 victory over the Staten Island Yankees.

Auburn is on top of the Pinckney Division by a half game over Mahoning Valley.

After a Brian Pettway single to lead off the second, Auburn was held hitless the rest of the game.

They scored their final run in the eighth as Manny Sena reached on an error and later scored on a Ryan Patterson sacrifice bunt.

With two outs in the top of the first, Patterson singled to left field and Patton stepped to the plate. Patton's homer, his eighth of the year, tied him for second in the league with Patterson.

Doubledays' starter Kristian Bell (2-4) helped the team rebound after Monday's shaky outing and provided Auburn with seven scoreless innings, allowing three hits and striking out seven.

Paul Phillips replaced Bell in the bottom of the eighth and allowed the only Yankee run on a Reegie Corona RBI single. Phillips earned his sixth save.

Staten Island's Toni Lara, who allowed only two runs on three hits, took the loss (1-4).

D-days

Today

Record: 20-21

Next Game: Off today. Home Thursday vs. Oneonta