EL1 Reading Fightin Phils

Clean Sweep! R-Phils Take Two in Akron Friday

Published on May 15, 2010 under Eastern League (EL1)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release


The R-Phils entered Akron on Friday evening with the worst record on the road in the entire Eastern League -- lucky for them, the Aeros entered play with the worst home record in the league.

Reading (14-20) took advantage of Akron's home woes, earning the sweep of the Friday's doubleheader, winning game one by a score of 5-1, and sneaking by game two by a score of 4-3 in nine innings.

After having Thursday's contest postponed due to unplayable conditions at Canal Park in Akron, OH, the two clubs were scheduled to meet in two seven-inning games on Friday evening.

In game one, the R-Phils got an outstanding pitching performance from LHP Yohan Flande (2-3, 2.55), who earned his second win in the month of May - allowing just one run on seven hits in the complete game victory. Flande, 24, fanned four batters, and beat the Aeros for the first time this season, less than a week after allowing five runs (four earned) to the same team at FirstEnergy Stadium. The young lefty has now posted a 2-2 mark with a 2.08 ERA in four road starts this season.

Flande was also helped out by his offense, which belted out ten hits in the first game of the double-dip. Quintin Berry, Michael Spidale, Tagg Bozied, and Kevin Mahar each led the way with two hits apiece. Mahar, who hit .314 with 12 homers and 54 RBIs last season for Reading, finished game one 2-3 with two doubles and two RBIs.

Akron starter Eric Berger (0-2, 10.67) allowed four runs on six hits over five innings, and was saddled with his second loss of the season. Beau Mills led the way offensively for Akron, finishing 2-3.

In the nightcap, which lasted 2:59 minutes, the R-Phils used their legs to earn a 4-3 victory. Quintin Berry, who entered the game tied with Domonic Brown for the team lead in steals with four, stole four bases including a key bag in the top of the ninth frame.

With the game in extra innings, Berry led-off the ninth inning by reaching base on a throwing error by shortstop Carlos Rivero. Now, with Brando Pinckney at the plate, Berry swiped his team-high eighth base of the season, putting the go-ahead run in scoring position with no outs.

After Pinckney lined out to shortstop, the red-hot Domonic Brown stepped to the plate with one out, and came through with a sacrifice fly RBI, giving the R-Phils the 4-3 lead. Brown, who is ranked as the number one prospect in the Philadelphia organization by Baseball America, finished game two 1-3 with two key RBIs.

R-Phils' reliever Michael Schwimer (2-1, 3.32) pitched the final two innings to earn his second win of the season. Schwimer relieved Sergio Escalona, who allowed a run in the bottom of the seventh inning, which put the game into extras. Schwimer fanned three batters over two scoreless frames, allowing just one hit.

Justin Germano, who started game two for the Aeros, was solid over four shutout frames, and did not factor in the decision. Newly added reliever Carlton Smith (0-1, 0.00) allowed the sacrifice fly RBI to Brown in the ninth, which cost the Aeros the game.

Join Brian Seltzer, who will have the call on ESPN Radio 1240 AM WIOV and readingphillies.com, beginning with the R-Phils pre-game show at 6:35 p.m. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

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Eastern League Stories from May 15, 2010


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