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EL Reading Fightin Phils

Late Inning Fireworks Soar Reading Past Harrisburg

August 25, 2023 - Eastern League (EL)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release


(Harrisburg, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils (24-25, 52-65) defeated the Harrisburg Senators (23-26, 54-63) in a pitchers' duel Friday night. After both starters combined for 17 strikeouts, it took 11 innings for Reading to clinch victory.

Matt Osterberg had a stand-out performance on the bump for the Fightin Phils. The lefty recorded eight strikeouts on the night, tying a career-high. Osterberg threw 5.1 innings, allowing six hits and one run with no walks.

Osterberg pitched his way out of an early jam in the bottom of the fourth. Third baseman Trey Lipscomb led off the inning with a single. James Wood followed with a ground ball but reached on an error on the throw from shortstop Casey Martin. With runners on first and second, Osterberg got a much-needed double play from Terrone Harris III. Osterberg would later get a flyout to end the inning.

Osterberg's day ended in the bottom of the sixth. JT Arruda started off the inning, hitting a ground ball to the R-Phils first basemen Jhailyn Ortiz. Arruda was just able to beat Osterberg in a footrace to first for the infield single.

Lipscomb then recorded a single for himself, putting runners on first and second with no outs. After a mound visit from pitching coach Brad Bergesen, Osterberg struck his eighth and final batter of the night. This would be all for Osterberg as Adam Leverett came in for relief.

The Senators jumped on Leverett quickly. A single from Harris would score Arruda to get the first run on the board from Harrisburg. The Phils would catch Lipscomb trying to steal, and Leverett would later get out of the inning allowing only one run.

The Fightins had a hard time figuring out Senators starting pitcher Mitchell Parker. Parker did not record a strikeout until the fifth inning but ended the night with nine. This included striking out the side twice in the fifth and seventh innings.

The Nationals' 26th overall prospect came out to attempt the complete game in the top of the ninth inning. But, Baron Radcliff rocked a home run into the Senators' bullpen in right to tie the game up at one apiece. Parker's night would end after a career-high eight innings pitched, allowing just three hits. Phils reliever Keylan Killgore came in to finish the ninth and send the game into extra innings.

With Carlos De La Cruz starting on second base, Al Pedrque made the move to pinch-hit the red-hot Oliver Dunn into the game. Dunn would reach first base on a walk, but would later be a casualty of a double play from Ethan Wilson. The Phils were unable to score De La Cruz from third after Martin would go down on strikes.

Killgore came back out to pitch in the 10th. After Vega reached third on a ground out by Crews, the R-Phils decided not to pitch to Arruda and instead internally walked him. Killgore then managed to strike out the next batter Lipscomb to keep the runner at third.

Reading broke through in the top of the 11th. After Casey Martin was able to reach third, Cody Roberts came in clutch with a single to center field to get the run home and give the Fightins the lead 2-1. This run was enough to get the job done and give the Fightin Phils the win 2-1. Coming into Friday's game, Reading was 1-49 on season when trailing after eight innings. The lone win also came against Harrisburg on May 26th.

Reading and Harrisburg are back in action for game five of this week's series tomorrow at 6 p.m. LHP Josh Hendrickson is scheduled to start for Reading, and he will go opposite RHP Michael Cuevas for Harrisburg. Radio coverage is available at 5:45 p.m. at rphils.com/radio. A video stream is available via MiLB TV or the Bally Live App.

Reading returns home for a 12-game homestand, running August 29 through September 10. It'll start with a series against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats on the 29th. 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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