EL1 Reading Fightin Phils

Fightins Overpower Aeros with Four Home Runs

Published on May 11, 2013 under Eastern League (EL1)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release


READING, PA----Powered by a home run attack, the Reading Fightin Phils (14-20) stormed back to defeat the Akron Aeros (18-18), 7-5, at FirstEnergy Stadium on Saturday night.

Trailing by four runs after the top of the first inning, Albert Cartwright hit a leadoff double to begin the evening's rally for the Fightins in the bottom half of the inning. After shortstop Edgar Duran dropped a bloop single to center field, cleanup hitter Jim Murphy plated Cartwright on a single that deflected off Akron starter Will Roberts. An inning later, Miguel Abreu hit a two-out home run to left field to extend the comeback.

Akron added a run in the third inning on a Kyle Bellows double, but it would be the last Aeros run scored as Fightins starter Greg Smith held the team scoreless for the next four innings of his gritty outing. Smith, who struggled in the first inning, made adjustments and held Akron to just three hits after the third inning. The former major league arm with Oakland and Colorado picked up his first winning decision of the season thanks to some key hitting from the middle of the lineup late in the game.

During the sixth inning, Derrick Mitchell slugged his third home run in the past five games to cut Akron's lead to two runs. Following Jim Murphy's double, Cameron Rupp tied the game for the Fightins on with a two-run blast, his third in as many days.

Reading overtook the lead in the seventh inning thanks to a pair of timely defensive miscues from Akron third baseman Bellows. After singling to leadoff the inning, Miguel Abreu advanced to second base on Bellow's first error of the inning. Two at-bats later, Abreu scored the go-ahead run after Albert Cartwright grounded to third base. Upon fielding the ball, Bellows had a wild throw to home, causing Cartwright to reach base via error.

The Fightins added to their lead in the eighth inning when first baseman Jim Murphy hammered his seventh home run of the season to deep center field. Murphy, who went 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBI, finished Saturday's contest one triple short of the cycle.

Recent addition Mike Nesseth pitched a scoreless eighth inning of relief and lefty Jay Johnson came on and was perfect in the ninth to pick up his second save of the season.

Earlier in the night, Reading resumed its suspended game from Friday night. With the game tied 3-3 in the ninth, Tyler Knigge surrendered a solo home run to Chun Chen. Mauricio Robles struck out two in the eighth inning before the game entered into a rain delay.

The Fightins look to even the four-game series when they send RHP Hector Neris (3-1, 3.41 ERA) to the hill against Akron's Brett Brach (1-2, 3.12 ERA) Tune into Oldies 1340 WRAW-AM, Service Electric 2Sports, or MiLB.TV for the game broadcast with Fightins play-by-play announcer Anthony Oppermann starting at 1:05 p.m.

Fightins Fillers: The Fightins' four home runs were the most the team has recorded this season....This series, Jim Murphy is 7-for-11 with a home run, two doubles, a triple, three RBIs, three runs scored, and a walk. His seven home runs are tied for second most in the Eastern League....Cameron Rupp is the first player since Darin Ruf (8/26/12-8/28/12) to hit a home run in three straight games.

The Fightin Phils continue their 47th season affiliated with the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday, May 12 when the team takes on the Akron Aeros at 1:35 p.m. Tickets for the 2013 season can be purchased online at Fightins.com, by phone at 610-370-BALL, or in-person by visiting the FirstEnergy Stadium Ticket Office.

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Eastern League Stories from May 11, 2013


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