EL Reading Fightin Phils

Pitching Strong Again as Fightins Defeat Patriots

July 7, 2023 - Eastern League (EL)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release


(Somerset, NJ) - A stellar pitching performance, including four innings of one-run ball from the bullpen, guided the Reading Fightin Phils to a 4-2 victory over the Somerset Patriots on Friday night. The win gave Reading a 3-1 advantage in this week's six-game series.

After Reading went down in the first, Somerset wasted no time. On the very first pitch from R-Phils starter David Parkinson, Trey Sweeney roped a home run to right field to put the Patriots up 1-0. Parkinson would walk out of the rest of the inning to keep the damage to just one run.

The Fightin Phils quickly battled back with a big three-run third inning. It started with three-straight doubles, starting with Nick Podkul. Then Carlos De La Cruz doubled home Podkul to tie the game at one. Following that, Johan Rojas doubled down the left-field line to score De La Cruz. Finally, Jhailyn Ortiz singled to right to score Rojas and make it 3-1 Reading.

Following the leadoff homer allowed to Sweeney, Parkinson settled in for five innings of one-run ball. The lefty allowed four hits and issued five walks while picking up four strikeouts. Keylan Killgore entered a threw a scoreless sixth. He returned for the seventh and got the first two outs, but exited for Brett Schulze with a runner on third. Schulze picked up a strikeout to strand the runner and send the game to the eighth.

The Fightin Phils got an insurance run in the top of the ninth when De la Cruz hit a solo home run to put the R-Phils up 4-1. It was his 16th home run of the season and second this week. Reading turned to Tyler McKay for the second-straight night seeking a save. Mickey Gasper reached base in the ninth on an error and came around to score on a single from Jasson Dominguez to cut the Reading lead to 4-2. Austin Wells then singled to put runners on the corners with two outs for Tyler Hardman. McKay struck out Hardman to end the game and give Reading the win.

Parkinson earned the win for Reading to improve to 3-4 on the season. The loss went to Somerset's Blane Abeyta, who falls to 5-4 on the year. McKay earned the save, his sixth. With the win, Reading improves to 4-6 in the second half, while Somerset falls to 5-5.

Reading and Somerset are back in action Saturday at 7:05 p.m. RHP Tyler Phillips is scheduled to start for Reading, while RHP Yoendrys Gomez 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.

Check out the Reading Fightin Phils Statistics



Eastern League Stories from July 7, 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.

OurSports Central