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Reading Fightin Phils lose to Somerset in 2022 season opener

In front of a lively Opening Day crowd, Reading’s offense fell quiet.

The Fightin Phils mustered just two runs and one hit — a double from designated hitter Vito Friscia — in a 6-2 loss to Somerset in an Eastern League season opener on Friday night at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Despite recording just one hit, Reading generated baserunners with 10 walks and two hit batters. However, the Fightin Phils were unable to capitalize, going 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and stranding 10 men.

“Overall, we had a bunch of hard-hit outs,” Reading manager Shawn Williams said. “We will get those big hits (eventually).”

The Fightin Phils opened the scoring in the second, taking advantage of a trio of walks. With the bases loaded, second baseman Kevin Vicuna hit an RBI groundout that knocked in first baseman Josh Ockimey.

Somerset responded in the third with back-to-back doubles to tie it at 1-1. Shortstop Anthony Volpe doubled with one out and scored on a double by left fielder Elijah Dunham.

The Patriots scored twice in the fourth, taking advantage of three wild pitches. After a single, a wild pitch and a walk, right fielder Michael Beltre scored on a wild pitch from Reading starter James McArthur.

Somerset added to its lead later in the inning on a sacrifice fly from third baseman Max Burt.

McArthur’s outing came to an end shortly after his run-scoring wild pitch. He tossed 3 ⅓ innings, allowing three earned runs and six hits.

“I thought McArthur threw the ball well,” Williams said. “His fastball and his curveball were really sharp.”

Despite being tabbed with the loss, McArthur finished with six strikeouts. The 6-7, 230-pound right-hander is the No. 21 prospect in Philadelphia’s farm system, according to MLB.com.

“It was a very, very good start for him,” Williams said. “Something for him to build off of.”

The Fightin Phils scratched a run across in the fourth, taking advantage of a leadoff double from Friscia. Shortstop Jonathan Guzman hit an RBI groundout two batters later to cut it to 3-2.

The Patriots responded in the fifth with a two-run homer from catcher Josh Breaux to make it 5-2.

Reading had a prime opportunity in the eighth inning after a pair of walks and a hit batter loaded the bases. However, Guzman struck out looking to end the inning.

Somerset added to its lead in the ninth on a sacrifice fly from Volpe, who went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.

While the Fightin Phils’ bullpen allowed three runs, left-hander Erik Miller and righty McKinley Moore were sharp in their debuts with Reading. The relivers combined for five strikeouts in three innings.

On the other side, right-hander Luis Medina got the start for the Patriots and pitched 1 ⅔ innings, allowing one run. Righty Barrett Loseke relieved Medina and pitched 1 ⅓ scoreless innings to earn the victory.


Source: Berkshire mont

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