The Somerset Patriots suffered a heartbreaking 5–4 defeat to the Reading Fightin Phils in their home opener at TD Bank Ballpark on Tuesday night. Despite holding a 4–1 lead entering the ninth inning, Reading mounted a late comeback to steal the win.
Patriots’ starting pitcher, Brendan Beck, delivered an impressive start in his Double-A debut, pitching four scoreless innings with five strikeouts and allowing just one hit. Beck set a strong tone for Somerset.
Somerset opened the scoring in the bottom of the fifth inning when right fielder Garrett Martin launched his first Double-A home run, giving Somerset a 1–0 lead. Later in the inning, Alexander Vargas doubled, driving in Tyler Hardman to extend the lead to 2–0.
Reading answered back in the sixth. Elio Prado walked, stole second, moved to third on a groundout, and scored on a fly ball from Leandro Pineda to make it 2–1.
Somerset added to their lead in the bottom of the sixth. Spencer Jones walked and advanced to second on a single by Rafael Flores. In the bottom of the eighth, New York Yankees prospect Spencer Jones showcased his power by hitting his first home run of the season, a 402-foot shot to center field, extending Somerset’s lead to 4–1.
The Fightin Phils staged a ninth-inning comeback, sparked by Keaton Anthony’s leadoff double. Two walks loaded the bases before a Paul McIntosh walk, a sac fly by Luis Verdugo, and a fielding error tied the game. Trent Farquhar’s RBI single put Reading ahead, 5–4.
In the bottom of the ninth, Reading reliever Andrew Walling struck out two to lock in the Fightin Phils’ first win of the season.
With the loss, the Patriots drop to 1–3, matching Reading’s record. The series resumes tonight, Wednesday at 6:35 p.m., with RHP Moises Chace on the mound for Reading and RHP Bailey Dees set to start for Somerset.
For a detailed box score and more information, visit the official Somerset Patriots website. https://www.milb.com/somerset
