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Reading To Host Somerset for Fourth of July Weekend

Reading to Face No. 74 MLB Prospect Spencer Jones
July 3, 2024

(Reading, PA) - The Fightin Phils (3-5; 34-42) return to FirstEnergy Stadium from July 4-6 for the back half of a home-and-home series with the Somerset Patriots (6-2; 38-39), the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. The series is tied at one win apiece, before the teams square up

(Reading, PA) - The Fightin Phils (3-5; 34-42) return to FirstEnergy Stadium from July 4-6 for the back half of a home-and-home series with the Somerset Patriots (6-2; 38-39), the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. The series is tied at one win apiece, before the teams square up for their final contest in Somerset tonight.

The Fightins return home after dropping four of six to the Bowie Baysox last week. Reading currently sits in fourth place, three games back in the Eastern League Northeast standings.

Marcus Lee Sang continues his hot stretch, as he is slashing .284/.354/.500 with 25 hits, 20 runs scored, four homers, 15 RBI and six stolen bases since June 3. In last night's game he went 1-for-3 with a hit, a walk, a stolen base and two runs scored. Carlos De La Cruz finished the month of June slashing .300/.386/.560, with a .946 OPS for the month. He added 21 runs, six doubles, one triple, six home runs and 16 RBI for the month. De La Cruz entered June hitting just .213, and has since turned it around at the plate over the last month. Otto Kemp is also swinging the bat well for the Fightins as he's hitting .255 with 11 runs scored, 14 hits, with four homers,14 RBI and a .951 OPS since his call-up to Reading on June 11.

The Patriots come to Reading after taking five-of-six on the road at the Richmond Flying Squirrels. After this series against Reading, Somerset remains on the road for a six-game series at Erie. Top 30 Yankees prospects on the Somerset roster include: Spencer Jones (2), Brock Selvidge (10), Zach Messinger (21), Trystan Vrieling (22), Tyler Hardman (25), Danny Watson (27) and Benjamin Cowles (29).

RHP Robinson Pina gets the start for Reading on Thursday, and he will go opposite RHP Trystan Vierling. TBA will face RHP Bailey Dees on Friday. Saturday TBA will go opposite LHP Brock Selvidge.

Thursday is the Fourth of July and will feature Carpenter MEGA Blast Fireworks, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Lottery. It will also be a Stars and Stripes Patriotic Celebration and the R-Phils will wear Military Appreciation Jerseys. Friday features fireworks, thanks to Countryside Fuel, and Wrestling Hall of Famer and Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle will be in Baseballtown. The series finishes Saturday night with a Carpenter MEGA Blast Fireworks Show, presented by Meesha Aesthetics. The Fightin Phils will also pay tribute to Star Wars by wearing Star Wars' jerseys that will be raffled and auctioned off after the game. The Fightin Phils will be off Sunday and Monday July 7-8, then return home from Tuesday, July 9 through Sunday, July 14, against the Akron Rubber Ducks, Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians.

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.