Somerset Wins Big as Fightin Phils Drop First Game of Series

BOX SCORE

(Reading, PA) - Early crooked numbers from the Somerset Patriots (8-11) led them to a 13-2 victory over the Reading Fightin Phils (9-10) on Friday night. Even with the loss, Reading holds a 3-1 edge in this week's series and will clinch the series win with a win either Saturday or Sunday.

Somerset wasted no time jumping on top, with four runs in the top of the first. Agustin Ramirez had a one-out double, then Ben Rice hit one off the wall in right-center for a double to put runners on second and third. Ben Cowles then reached on an error from Fightins' third baseman Jim Haley, allowing Ramirez to score. JC Escarra followed with a triple to plate Rice and Cowles and make it 3-0. A single from Jared Wegner brought home Escarra to complete the first-inning scoring for Somerset.

Reading did respond with one run in the bottom of the first inning. Ethan Wilson reached on a dropped pop fly by the Patriots' right fielder Wegner. Carson Taylor then followed with another RBI with a runner in scoring positions, knocking home Wilson with a double down the right field line to make it 4-1.

After not scoring in the second, Somerset tacked on another in the top of the third. Escarra led off the inning with a single and advanced after Wegner reached on an error by Haley at third. A couple of fielders' choices' from Grant Richardson and Anthony Seigler scored Escarra to make it 5-1.

Somerset then broke the game wide open in the top of the fourth inning with five runs. Spencer Jones led off with a walk and Ramirez then crushed a two-run home run to left field. Rice and Cowles each then singled and both eventually came around to score. Wegner reached on a Haley throwing error from third and would score on a Richardson double to make it 10-1.

Matt Osterberg (L, 0-2) was chased in the fourth inning. Osterberg went 3.1 innings, allowing 10 hits and a career-high 10 runs, with eight of them earned. He also walked three and struck out none. Konnor Ash came in and pitched the middle innings of the contest in relief of Osterberg.

Blane Abeyta (W, 1-3) started and was strong for Somerset, earning his first win of the season in a bounce-back outing from him. Abeyta went a career-high 7.1 innings, allowing just three hits and one run, which was unearned. Abeyta also struck out nine and walked just one in the win. Grant Richardson added a solo homer in the eighth to make it 11-1 Somerset. Back-to-back-to-bacl doubles from Seigler Alexander Vargas, and Spencer Jones added another two runs to make it 13-1, still in the eighth.

Reading tacked one one run in the bottom of the ninth as Marcus Lee Sang had a two-out triple down the right-field line and scored on a wild pitcher from Somerset pitcher Tanner Myatt.

The Fightin Phils and Patriots return to the field Saturday night at 6:45 p.m. for game five of this week's six-game series. RHP Noah Skirrow gets the start for Reading, and he will go opposite LHP Brock Selvidge for Somerset. Radio coverage is underway at 6:30 p.m. at rphils.com/radio. A video stream is available via MiLB TV or the Bally Live App.

Saturday night features a fireworks show, presented by PA Virtual Charter School, Alvernia University, Crime Alert Berks County, Reading Truck, and Penn Medicine. The series finishes Sunday with a Phillie Phanatic Appearance, presented by Penske. Tickets to all games are on sale, but going fast. To buy tickets, call 610-370-BALL, go to rphils.com/tickets or in-person at the Customers Bank Ticket Office. The Fightin Phils Brentwood Industries Team Store is open both in-person or online 24/7 at rphils.com/shop.

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.