Dunham’s Grand Slam, Cowles’ Career Day Lead Patriots in Sweep of Fightins

July 5, 2024 – Eastern League (EL)
Somerset Patriots News Release

Somerset Patriots’ Elijah Dunham on game night
(Somerset Patriots)

The Somerset Patriots swept the Reading Fightin Phils 8-2 and 5-4 in a doubleheader on Friday to clinch a series victory at First Energy Stadium in Reading, PA. Game one was a continuation of the nine-inning affair which was suspended following three innings on July 4, while game two was a seven-inning contest. For the first time this season, the Patriots have won back-to-back series. Somerset moves to a season best two games above .500 for their overall record. At 9-2, Somerset owns the Eastern League’s best record in the second half.

RHP Trystan Vrieling (3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 2 K) did not factor into a decision in his rain-shortened 16th start of the season.

RHP Yorlin Calderon (2 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 3 BB, 1 K) earned the win in game one, hurling 2 IP of one-run ball in relief. Calderon has allowed only 1 R over his last 13.2 IP (0.66 ERA) with a 0.88 WHIP.

RHP Bailey Dees (5 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 6 K) did not see a decision in his 17th appearance (16th start) of the year in game two. Dees retired the first 10 batters he faced in order. Dees struck out 6+ batters for the ninth time this season. Dees allowed 2 ER or less for the 11th time this season over his 17 outings. Since the start of May, Dees has pitched to a 3.25 ERA over 12 outings with 61 K in 61 IP. Dees ranks among Eastern League leaders with 88 K (6th), 84.2 IP (5th), .226 AVG (10th), and 1.19 WHIP (10th).

LF/DH Elijah Dunham (3-for-8, HR, 4 RBI, R, BB, 2B) launched a go-ahead grand slam in the 7th inning of game two, his seventh homer of the season. Dunham’s go-ahead slam was his second game winning hit of the series vs. REA, following his walk-off hit on Monday. With hits in both games, Dunham extended his season-long hit streak to 14 games, and season-long on-base streak to 18 games. Dunham’s 14 game hit streak is the longest by a Patriots batter this season, while his 18 game on-base streak matches the longest by a Patriot this season. Before the hitting streak, Dunham was hitting .233/.344/.411 on the season with Somerset. He’s now slashing .267/.357/.481 in 53 total games with the Patriots. Dunham has hit safely in 17 of his last 18 games dating back to 6/13 @BNG, over which he’s batting .342/.400/.644 with 4 HR, 17 RBI, 13 XBH, and 13 R. In 19 games since his four-game stint in Triple-A, Dunham is batting .325 with 17 RBI and a .991 OPS.

SS/2B Ben…