EL Reading Fightin Phils

Former Patriots Lead Reading to Victory Over Somerset

Published on August 17, 2023 under Eastern League (EL)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release


(Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin' Phils defeated the Somerset Patriots on Tuesday evening, beating the Patriots 5-4. An eighth inning solo shot from Max McDowell helped lead Reading to its first win of the six-game series.

David Parkinson pitched excellently for Reading, lasting five-and-a-third innings. Parkinson only gave up two hits and no-earned runs, striking out six batters.

Reading took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Carlos De La Cruz blasted a solo home run on a full count to left field.

Somerset managed to score two runs in the top of the fifth inning. After Aaron Palensky reached on an error, Jesus Bastidas walked and Jasson Dominguez roped a two-run double to right field.

Max Kuhns replaced Parkinson in the top of the fifth inning. Kuhns lasted one and a third innings, allowing one run on two hits.

Bastidas added to Somerset's lead in the top of the seventh inning, mashing a solo home run to left field to extend the Patriot's lead to 3-1.

Keylan Killgore relieved Kuhns in the sixth inning, throwing two-thirds of an inning. Killgore gave up one run on two hits and struck out two batters.

Reading retaliated in the bottom of the seventh inning. After Nick Ward drew a one-out walk, De La Cruz doubled to center field and Oliver Dunn crushed a three-run home run to right-center field to give the R-Phils a 4-3 lead.

The Patriots tied things up in the top of the eighth inning. Ben Rice knocked a leadoff single and Agustin Ramirez followed with another single. Eduardo Torrealba later singled to score Rice to tie the game at 4-4.

Dominic Pipkin relieved Killgore in the top of the eighth inning. Pipkin threw two-thirds of an inning, giving up one hit.

The R-Phils took back the lead in the bottom of the eighth inning. Max McDowell homered, giving Reading a 5-4 lead heading into the ninth inning.

Orion Kerkering came into the game for Pipkin, striking out two batters to earn the save.

Pipkin earned the win for Reading to improve to 3-2 on the season and Jack Neely suffered the loss for Somerset to fall to 5-4. Kerkering picked up his first Double-A save for the R-Phils. With the win, Reading improves to 20-22 in the second half and Somerset falls to 23-18 in the second half with the loss.

Notes

Carlos De La Cruz's home run was No. 21 of the season. He leads all R-Phils in home runs this season.

De La Cruz's three-hit game is his ninth three-hit game of the season and multi-hit game No. 33. He was a triple shy of the cycle.

Oliver Dunn's three-run homer was No. 20 of the season. He has now hit a home-run in three-straight games.

The last time an R-Phil hit a home run in three-straight games was by Johan Rojas on July 2, 3 and 4.

Dunn hit a home-run in three-straight games earlier this season on June 20, 21 and 22.

Dunn 73 RBI ranks second in the Eastern League behind Hartford's Hunter Goodman (78).

Max McDowell's home run was his sixth of the season and his first since returning from Lehigh Valley.

Reading and Somerset are back in action for game four of this week's series Friday at 7 p.m. RHP Zach Haake is scheduled to start for Reading and he will go against RHP Drew Thorpe for the Patriots. Pregame coverage is underway at 6:45 pm. at rphils.com/radio. A video steam is also available via MiLB TV or the Bally Live App.

Friday will include an appearance from The Office's Leslie Baker, with ticket packages available HERE. Friday night will also conclude with postgame fireworks. Saturday night is the 25th Annual Harley Night, with the first 2,500 adults receiving an R-Phils Harley Game Cap, and a Harley ride around the warning track. Saturday will also conclude with fireworks. Finally, on Sunday the first 1,500 kids will receive a Bryson Stott bobblehead. Tickets to all games are 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 August 17, 2023


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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