Fightins to Host Bowie Baysox To Begin Second Half

(Reading, PA) - The Fightin Phils (0-0) will open a six-game set against the Bowie Baysox (0-0), the Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles at FirstEnergy Stadium on Tuesday. This will be the Fightins second and final series against Bowie this season. Bowie holds this year's edge 2-1.

The Fightins return home after taking three of five games to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats last week. It was their first road series victory of the season, as they finished the first half six games under .500, with a 31-37 record. Reading ended the first half of 2023 with a 28-40 record, 12 games under .500.

Carson Taylor continues to impress as he went 7-for-18 in the New Hampshire series, with seven hits, four runs scored, four RBI and two walks. With runners in scoring position he is slashing .444/.500/.778 with a 1.278 OPS. Of Taylor's 50 RBI this season, 42 have come with runners in scoring position. Carlos De La Cruz, Baron Radcliff and Trevor Schwecke hit home runs in New Hampshire, their eighth, fourth and third on the season respectively. Schwecke, who played for the Fisher Cats in 2022 and 2023 had five hits including four doubles and a homer, three runs scored, and 5 RBI against his former team.

The Baysox come to Reading after dropping their fifth consecutive game to the Altoona Curve, in a 7-2 loss on Sunday. They finished the first half with a record of 32-36, fifth place in the Eastern League Southwest Division. The series against the Fightins will feature 19-year-old catcher, Samuel Basallo, the Orioles No. 2 prospect, and 13th overall MLB prospect. Other top 30 Orioles prospects on the Bowie roster include Dylan Beavers, Seth Johnson, Jud Fabian, Max Wagner, Trace Bright, John Rhodes and Alex Pham.

LHP Lachlan Wells gets the start for Reading on Tuesday, and he will go opposite RHP Trace Bright. LHP Matt Osterberg and RHP Kyle Brnovich will match up on Wednesday. Thursday RHP Max Castillo will face RHP Seth Johnson, and RHP Robinson Pina takes the mound Friday, against Bowie starter, Alex Pham (RHP). On Saturday, RHP Cameron Weston takes the ball for Bowie, and Reading starter is TBD. In Sunday's series finale, TBD will face Trace Bright.

Tuesday features a Phillie Phanatic Appearance, presented by Berks Schuylkill Oil Heat Association. Wednesday is Fightin Cancer Night and an appearance Phillies Legend Charlie Manuel with a free photo session, thanks to Penn State Children's Hospital. Thursday and Friday feature postgame fireworks. Thursday's show is presented by PA Virtual Charter School, Biological Specialty Company and The American Diner. Friday's show is sponsored by Love It Here, Go Local: Unchained and Independent in Berks County PA. Saturday is a Tribute to Taylor Swift and postgame Carpenter MEGA Blast Fireworks, thanks to Reading Truck. The series finishes Sunday with an R-Phils Uncut Player Baseball Card Poster for the first 2,000 kids, presented by Diversity Night.

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 and 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.