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EL Reading Fightin Phils

Fightin Phils' Bats Kept Quiet in Doubleheader Sweep by Richmond

April 8, 2023 - Eastern League (EL)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release


(Richmond, VA) - The Reading Fightin Phils dropped their first two games of the 2023 season after a doubleheader sweep by the Richmond Flying Squirrels on Saturday night.

Game One

The R-Phils got a couple of runners on early in the first after Johan Rojas singled and then stole second. That was followed up with Carlos De La Cruz reaching on an error. Reading got the scoring started early when Wendell Rijo drove in two runs on an RBI double in the top of the first. Rijo also knocked in another run when he grounded into a double play in the top of the third to then put the R-Phils up 3-0.

Richmond responded with a run of its own in the bottom of the third. With two outs in the inning, Luis Matos singled and that was followed up with an RBI double from Patrick Bailey to get Richmond on the board but Reading still led 3-1.

The Flying Squirrels then tacked on two more runs in the fifth. Matos' strong opening game continued when he lifted a home run to left field that also scored Ismael Munguia to even the game at three. Richmond grabbed the lead for good in the bottom of the sixth when Andrew Baker walked Munguia, forcing in a run to make it 4-3.

Reading got a couple of runners on in the top of the seventh but left them stranded to drop the season opener 4-3.

Offensively a few R-Phils earned two-hit performances. Ethan Wilson, Rijo and Baron Radcliff all collected a couple of hits in the season opener. Ryan Murphy earned the win for Richmond and Baker suffered the loss for Reading. The save went to Richmond's Blake Rivera.

Game Two

Mick Abel got the start for Reading in game two, but his appearance would last less than an inning. In two-thirds of an inning, Abel walked four batters, allowed a hit, and surrendered two runs. He was quickly pulled in the bottom of the first for Braden Zarbnisky, who didn't allow a run in two innings of work.

The R-Phils pitching staff held Richmond's bats at bay for the next few innings. But, in the fifth inning, the Flying Squirrels added an insurance run. Tyler Fitzgerald singled to score Matos and increase the Richmond lead to 3-0.

In the seventh inning, Reading loaded up the bases then Max McDowell worked a bases-loaded walk from Richmond arm Randy Rodriquez to cut the score to 3-1. Richmond went to Juan Sanchez out of the bullpen. Cam Cannon singled to knock in Rijo to make it 3-2, but Pedro Martinez grounded into a fielder's choice at home for the second out. With the bases still loaded, Sanchez got Rojas swinging on strikes to end the game and give Richmond the 3-2 win.

The win went to Wil Jensen, who allowed one hit and no runs over two innings of work. Able suffered the loss and Sanchez earned the save in two-thirds of an inning of high-leverage work.

Up Next

The teams conclude the season-opening three-game series tomorrow at 1:35 p.m. Josh Hendrickson is scheduled to start for Reading and Mason Black will oppose him for Richmond. You can watch the game on MiLB TV. Reading then returns home Tuesday at 6:45 against Hartford for its home opener. Tickets are still available and can be purchased online at rphils.com/tickets, by calling 610-370-BALL or in person at the Customers Bank Ticket Office.

America's Classic Ballpark is proud to be a part of Pennsylvania's Americana Region and was voted the #1 stadium in all of Double-A by MiLB's Ben Hill. Follow the R-Phils at rphils.com, on Twitter and TikTok at @ReadingFightins, on Instagram @fightins, and like them on Facebook via www.facebook.com/fightins for all information.

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Eastern League Stories from April 8, 2023


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