BRIDGEWATER, NJ. – The Reading Fightin Phils (8-6, 38-45) dropped a 6-5 decision to the Somerset Patriots (43-40) in a Wednesday afternoon showdown at TD Bank Ballpark.
Reading rung the bell in the first inning, as Raylin Heredia belted a double down the left field line to score Bryan Rincon. This was the Phillies no. 30 prospect’s team-best 25th double and his 43rd extra base hit in 82 contests. The two-bagger also extended Heredia’s hit streak to 13 games. Caleb Ricketts then ripped a deep fly ball to left field that deflected off of Somerset center fielder Jace Avina’s glove. The sequence put the Fightin Phils up 3-0.
Neither side would score again through the first third of this contest, but Somerset dug into the lead in the fourth inning on a Miguel Palma two-run single. Palma’s knock plated both Tomas Frick and Josh Moylan to draw the score to 3-2 after four stanzas.
The R-Phils answered in the fifth inning, as Pedro León sent a line drive to center field, sending Rincon home in the process. León’s RBI knock extended his hit streak to eight contests, and he bolstered the lead to 4-2.
Reading starter Kyle Brnovich’s day ended after five strong innings, as he allowed just two runs on four hits with four strikeouts in a no-decision.
The Patriots stormed back in the sixth frame with a rally that would serve to be the difference maker. Somerset held the 5-4 advantage through six innings.
The Yankees’ Double-A affiliate found a key insurance run in the eighth inning and built the lead to 6-4.
The insurance run proved pivotal, as León lofted a ball to shallow right field that ticked off of Moylan’s glove, scoring Luke Ritter and sending Rincon (the would-be tying run) to third base. Escobar stepped up with a chance to tie, but he grounded out to third base to end the contest at 6-5.
Somerset reliever Geoffrey Gilbert (3-1) got the win, tossing two perfect innings with a strikeout to hold the Fightins hitters at bay.
Reading bullpen arm Aaron Combs (0-2) took the loss, allowing three unearned runs with a pair of walks while recording just one out.
Kelly Austin (3) got the save, allowing an unearned run, a hit and a walk while striking one out in the ninth and final inning.
The Fightin Phils return to the field on Thursday against the Somerset Patriots, Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, at 6:35 p.m. RHP Luke Russo will get the start for Reading, and he will go against RHP Chase Hampton for Somerset.