R-Phils Outlast Rock Cats in Marathon 10-9 Win
Published on July 28, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release
(Reading, Pa.)---The Reading Phillies (53-51) survived multiple rallies by the New Britain Rock Cats (58-47) to win, 10-9, in a marathon game at FirstEnergy Stadium on Friday in front of a record-breaking 9,752 fans, the tenth-largest crowd in FirstEnergy Stadium history. The game featured a combined 19 runs and 28 hits between the squads.
Heading into the crucial four-game set, the R-Phils trailed the Rock Cats by 5.5-games for second place in the Eastern League Eastern Division. With its fourth victory in seven games, Reading now sits 4.5-games away from a wild card spot in the league's playoffs.
Trailing by three runs, Reading mounted a rally that started with singles from Jiwan James and Cody Asche in the third inning. Designated hitter Cesar Hernandez then swung at the third pitch in his at-bat and went deep for just the second time this season to break even with New Britain. Normally Reading's everyday second baseman, Hernandez was 2-for-3 with three RBI, two runs scored, and two walks.
The R-Phils would set their sights in the rearview mirror for the remainder of the game as Sebastian Valle hit the go-ahead double in the fifth inning to score Cody Asche. Valle was 3-for-4 with the RBI and two runs scored. His performance extends the catcher's hitting streak to ten games this season, the third-longest streak by a Reading Phillies hitter this season.
The offensive surge rolled over to the next at-bat where first baseman Tug Hulett slammed a two-run shot to right field. His home run was Hulett's second with the team this season.
But Reading's three-run lead wasn't safe, and New Britain fought back in the seventh inning to score two runs off reliever Colby Shreve. The R-Phils answered in the bottom half of the inning when pinch-hitter Leandro Castro would rip a double down the left field line to plate Valle and Hulett. Jiwan James capped off the scoring attack with a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Castro in the process.
Along with Tyler Knigge and Jay Johnson, Shreve was part of a Reading bullpen effort that saw three pitchers jointly surrender six earned runs, seven hits, four walks over 3.1 innings.
The drama lasted right up until the game's finish when Joe Benson hit a two-run home run off Johnson to cut Reading's lead to one run. Rene Tosoni, the game-tying runner, was then walked before Johnson would exit in favor of Jordan Whatcott. Playing the position for just the eighth time in 2012, left fielder Darin Ruf made a nice grab to prevent Tosoni from advancing. Whatcott allowed a single to James Beresford before getting Aaron Hicks to ground out to seal the game.
Reading starting pitcher Austin Hyatt earned his third consecutive winning decision as the Alabama product gave up three earned runs on five hits and three walks while striking out three batters over five innings pitched. Since returning from the Eastern League All-Star Game break, he's 3-0 with a 1.93 ERA.
Aside from Hernandez and Valle, Asche, James, and Troy Hanzawa each recorded two hits in the win.
Reading continues its four-game tilt with New Britain on Saturday behind Trevor May (7-8/5.25) and Julio Rodriguez (5-4/4.25) for the doubleheader. Tune into 1340 WRAW-AM on the radio dial or online at 1340WRAW.com starting at 6:35 p.m. for the game broadcast with the voice of the Reading Phillies, Brian Seltzer. Fans with Service Electric Cable can also tune into the game on 2Sports with Steve Degler and Bob McCool.
Tickets for all regular season home games, including the Crazy Hot Dog Vendor Soap Dispenser on Sunday, July 29, can be purchased online at www.RPhils.com, by phone at 610-370-BALL, and in person at the R-Phils Ticket Office at FirstEnergy Stadium. The 2012 season featuring the Baseballtown All-Star Classic at America's Classic Ballpark is presented by Pepsi.
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