EL Reading Fightin Phils

Bullpen Stellar as Fightins Earn Low Scoring Win

Published on July 6, 2023 under Eastern League (EL)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release


(Reading, PA) - Timely runs and stellar relief pitching guided the Reading Fightin Phils to a 3-2 win over the Somerset Patriots on Thursday night. The win put Reading ahead two games to one in this week's six-game series.

Both teams went down quickly in the first inning as Griff McGarry struck out the side for Reading. In the top of the second, the R-Phils struck first when Casey Martin hit his second home run with Reading to left field to make it 1-0.

McGarry got into trouble in the bottom of the second inning. He issued two walks and a single to load the bases. Matt Pita then drew a walk to score Elijah Dunham to tie the game at one. McGarry would get Trey Sweeney to fly out to right to end the inning and keep it locked at one.

In the third, Hebert Iser led off the inning with a walk and then moved to third when Carlos De La Cruz hit a double. Johan Rojas followed with a sacrifice fly to center that score Iser and put Reading back up 2-1.

McGarry's day would end in the fifth inning after loading the bases on three walks. He was replaced by Braden Zarbnisky and Pita scored on a passed ball to tie the game up at two. Zarbnisky would leave the bases loaded to keep it tied. McGarry went 4.1 innings as he allowed two runs on one hit with six strikeouts. But, he did match a season and career-high with six walks issued.

Oliver Dunn led off the top of the sixth with a walk, then Jhailyn Ortiz doubled to put runners on second and third with no outs. Ethan Wilson followed with a sacrifice fly that scored Dunn and put Reading back ahead 3-2. Orion Kerkering entered in the bottom of the sixth for his first double-A outing and proceeded to strike out two Somerset hitters in a 1-2-3 inning. Zach Haake pitched the seventh for Reading and threw a scoreless frame, continuing strong debuts for Reading's two-new bullpen arms.

After a scoreless eighth thrown by Haake, Tyler McKay entered in the ninth looking to pick up the save in a 3-2 game. McKay pitched a scoreless ninth securing the win for Reading. In total, the R-Phils bullpen tossed 4.2 innings, allowing no runs and just one hit with eight strikeouts.

Zarbnisky earned the win for Reading to improve to 5-1 on the season, while Lisandro Santos suffered the loss for Somerset to fall to 1-3. Mckay picked up the save, which was his fifth. With the win, Reading improves to 3-6 in the second half, while Somerset falls to 5-4 in the second half.

Reading and Somerset are back in action Friday at 7:05 p.m. LHP David Parkinson is scheduled to start for Reading, while RHP Blane Abeyta will be on the mound for Somerset. Live coverage of the game is available via MiLB TV or the Bally Live App.

The Fightin Phils return home Friday, July 14, to begin a three-game series against the Portland Sea Dogs. Tickets to all games are still available at rphils.com/tickets, by calling 610-370-BALL or in person at the Customers Bank Ticket Office.

The 2023 R-Phils season is presented by Pepsi. Follow the Fightin Phils on Twitter @ReadingFightins, like us on Facebook or follow us on Instagram @Fightins.

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Eastern League Stories from July 6, 2023


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