EL Reading Fightin Phils

Fightins Fall as Somerset Offense Starts Game Fast

May 18, 2023 - Eastern League (EL)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release


(Somerset, NJ) - Nine runs in the first four innings was all the Somerset Patriots needed in Thursday night's 9-3 victory over the Reading Fightin Phils. The win gave Somerset the two-games-to-one edge at the midway point of this week's series.

The Fightin Phils came out of the gate strong offensively. Nick Podkul led off the game with a double, then Carlos De La Cruz followed with a single. Johan Rojas grounded out to score Podkul, then Oliver Dunn singled home De La Cruz to put the R-Phils up 2-0.

After that though, the game was all Patriots. Somerset scored three in the first and two runs in the following three innings to go up 9-3 after four innings. The offensive outburst was highlighted by a Tyler Hardman double and homerun, Austin Wells home run, and a Jason Dominguez home run.

Reading did respond with one run in the top of the fourth inning on an Ethan Wilson home run, his sixth long ball of the season.

Tyler Phillips got the start for the Fightin Phils and struggled over four innings of work. Phillips allowed nine-earned runs on nine hits while walking four walks and striking out three. Braden Zarbnisky followed Phillips with two shutout innings out of the bullpen, picking up three strikeouts.

On the other side, Richard Fitts lasted 3.2 innings pitched. He allowed six hits and three earned runs but did not factor in the decision. Shawn Semple and Justin Wilson followed Fitts with strong work out of the Somerset bullpen.

Somerset tacked on another run in the bottom of the seventh inning with an Everson Pereira solo shot that put the Patriots up 10-3. It was Pereira's sixth home run of the season.

Semple earned the win for Somerset to improve to 2-0 with the Patriots this season. Semple went 2.1 innings of scoreless ball, striking out three. The loss went to Phillips, who was tagged for nine-earned runs and dropped to 1-3.

With the win, Somerset improves to 22-13 on the season, while Reading falls to 13-22 with the loss. The teams return to the field Friday at 6:35 p.m. for game four of this week's six-game series. RHP Mick Abel is scheduled to get the start for Reading, and he will go opposite Somerset RHP Will Warren. The game can be watched on MiLB TV or the Bally Live App.

The Fightin Phils return home on Tuesday, May 23, at 11 a.m. to begin a six-game series against the Harrisburg Senators (Nationals). Tuesday is a school kid game, Thursday and Friday feature postgame fireworks and Sunday showcases an appearance from the Philly Phanatic. Tickets to all games remain available and can be purchased 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 May 18, 2023


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