Lachlan Wells Leads Fightins Past Patriots in Series Finale

BOX SCORE

(Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils (4-8; 35-45) secured a 5-2 victory over the Somerset Patriots (9-3; 41-40) in the series finale of a home-and-home series on Saturday night.

Elijah Dunham put the Patriots on the board in the top of the second inning with a solo home run. Dunham has now hit home runs in back-to-back games, as he hit a game-winning grand slam on Saturday night.

Kendall Simmons tied the game in the bottom of the second inning with a line-drive home run to left field, his eighth of the season. Reading added a run in the bottom of the third. Carlos De La Cruz and Kendall Simmons reached with two singles, and Josh Breaux walked to load the bases. Ethan Wilson was hit by a pitch which walked in a run, to give Reading a 2-1 lead.

The Fightins added on three runs in the bottom of the fifth. De La Cruz led off with a single and a stolen base. Otto Kemp drove in a run with an RBI single and advanced to second base on a fielding error by center fielder, Grant Richardson. Josh Breaux hit his second home run in an R-Phils uniform, a two-run shot to give Reading a 5-2 lead.

Lachlan Wells quickly settled into his groove on the mound. After allowing a walk, in the first, he struck out the side. The Australian left-hander (4-5) secured his fourth win of the season going six innings, allowing two runs on three hits, seven punchouts, and two walks. The Fightins relievers Carlos Francisco and Andrew Schultz came in clutch as they went three scoreless innings, allowed two hits and a walk, and struck out four. Brock Selvidge suffered the loss (7-6) for Somerset.

After off days Sunday and Monday, the Fightin Phils return to the field Tuesday against the Akron RubberDucks, Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians, at 7 p.m. Pregame coverage is underway at 6:45 p.m. on the Reading Fightin Phils Radio Network. A video stream is available via MiLB TV or the Bally Live App.

Tuesday features an Orion Kerkering Bobblehead for the first 1,500 adults, in Memory of Mark Malkames. Wednesday night's game will have postgame fireworks, presented by your local Kia Dealers. Thursday is a Throwback Thursday with postgame fireworks, thanks to PA Virtual Charter School, Members 1st Federal Credit Union, Berks Technical Institute, The American Diner and Reading Truck. Friday is a Savage Auto Group Fiesta Friday with postgame fireworks, sponsored by Tompkins. On Saturday, the Fightin Phils will pay tribute to Looney Tunes "Toon Squad" with special jerseys that will be auctioned off postgame. The night will conclude with a Carpenter MEGA Blast Fireworks show, presented by International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 429. The series ends Sunday with an Aaron Nola Bobblehead giveaway for the first 1,500 kids, thanks to Redner's Markets and Quick Stops.

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.