Reading Opens Season with 5-2 Victory Over Bowie
BOX SCORE (Bowie, MD) - The Reading Fightin Phils (1-0) beat the Bowie Baysox (0-1), 5-2 in the season opener on Friday night, earning their first victory of the 2024 season. With the win, Reading achieves its first opening-day win since 2019. The Baysox offense scored first, but Fightins starter
(Bowie, MD) - The Reading Fightin Phils (1-0) beat the Bowie Baysox (0-1), 5-2 in the season opener on Friday night, earning their first victory of the 2024 season. With the win, Reading achieves its first opening-day win since 2019.
The Baysox offense scored first, but Fightins starter Matt Osterberg held them to just one run. Reading's bats came alive in the top of the fourth, as Gabriel Rincones Jr. hit a solo home run to tie the game at one apiece. First baseman Carson Taylor kept the inning alive as he drove in an RBI single and Caleb Ricketts scored to give the Fightins the lead, 2-1.
Lefty Matt Osterberg pitched 3.2 innings on the mound, struck out four, and did not allow any runs. Konnor Ash pitched 1.1 innings in relief and allowed one run in the 5th as Bowie tied the game 2-2 on a single by Samuel Basallo. The Fightins bullpen including Beau Burrow, Jordi Martinez (W, 1-0), and Max Lazar (S, 1) pitched a scoreless rest of the game, holding the Baysox to just one hit.
In the 9th, the Fightins gained some insurance runs and added to their lead. Baron Radcliff started the inning with a single and was replaced by pinch runner, Trevor Schwecke. He advanced to second base after a wild pitch from Bowie pitcher, Kade Strowd (L, 0-1). This put Schwecke in scoring position with Casey Martin at the plate. Martin reached base safely after a throwing error by Baysox shortstop Frederick Bencosme on a routine groundball. Schwecke scored, putting the Fightins on top, 3-2. The inning continued as Carlos De La Cruz came in clutch with a two-run single to right field. Martin and Marcus Lee Sang came in to score.
Lazar closed the ballgame for Reading as he struck out the side, earning his first save of the year.
Reading continues its first series of the regular season at the Bowie Baysox on Saturday at 6:35 p.m. RHP Efrain Conteras is scheduled to start for Reading, and he will go opposite RHP Kyle Brnovich for Bowie. Pregame coverage is underway at 6:15 p.m. and you can listen at rphils.com/radio. A video stream is available via MiLB TV or the Bally Live App.
The Reading Fightin Phils return to FirstEnergy Stadium to open the 2024 season on Tuesday against the Portland Sea Dogs (Red Sox). Tickets are available at rphils.com/tickets, by calling 610-370-BALL or in-person at the Customers Bank Ticket Office.
The 2024 R-Phils season is presented by Pepsi. Follow the Fightin Phils on Twitter @ReadingFightins, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Instagram @Fightins.