EL1 Reading Fightin Phils

Akron Sneaks by Reading in Ninth Inning

Published on May 9, 2013 under Eastern League (EL1)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release


READING, Pa.---The Reading Fightin Phils (13-19) held a one-run lead over the Akron Aeros (17-17) heading into the ninth inning, but saw it vanish after closer Kyle Simon gave up two earned runs in a 5-4 loss.

Simon was en route to his first save since April 22 after recording an out in the eighth inning, but things soured quickly after he gave up back-to-back singles and dealt an intentional walk. With Jesus Aguilar at bat, the Aeros evened the game when Giovanny Urshela scored on a wild pitch by Simon. Akron overtook Reading moments later when Aguilar drove in his third run of the evening on a base hit.

The blown save spoiled what was otherwise a solid effort from the Fightin Phils and starting pitcher Jesse Biddle.

The top Phillies prospect surrendered a first inning run on a two-out single from Aguilar, but settled in and retired the next eight batters he faced. Biddle gave up just his second home run of the season when Akron hero Aguilar, who was 4-for-5, hit a solo shot in the fourth inning. Battling a cold, Biddle exited the game at the end of the fifth inning after recording three outs to end the inning. The Eastern League Player of the Month for April struck out five batters and walked two in the no-decision outing.

Biddle's effort was supported by a pair of two-run blasts from Cameron Rupp and Derrick Mitchell. The second inning home run by Rupp drove in Mitchell, who was walked in the previous at-bat. Mitchell would strike in the fourth inning in his next at-bat by hitting his second home run in the past three games. In his past five games, the outfielder is hitting .333 (5-for-15) with two home runs, six RBIs, and five runs scored. He has also recorded hits in each of those five games, his longest hitting streak of the season.

Reliever Juan Sosa chucked two scoreless innings and escaped out of a bases loaded jam in the sixth inning before encountering trouble in the eighth inning. The Dominican Republic native gave up a leadoff double to Chun Chen, one of the Eastern League's top hitters, and saw Chen score on a single by Quincy Lattimore. Sosa induced a ground out before Simon entered in relief.

The Fightins look to rebound on Friday night when they send righty Seth Rosin (1-3, 3.24 ERA) to the hill against Akron's Jordan Cooper (1-1, 1.13 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 6:05 p.m.

Fightins Fillers: With the loss, Reading drops to 1-9 in its past 10 games....First baseman Jim Murphy had his tenth multi-hit game by going 2-for-4 with a run scored on Thursday...The Fightins have had six games this season where two or more players hit home runs. They are 3-3 in those games.

The Fightin Phils continue their 47th season affiliated with the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday, May 10 when the team takes on the Akron Aeros at 7:05 p.m. Following the game there will be a post-game fireworks show thanks to Vertex Mechanical. 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 9, 2013


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