EL Reading Fightin Phils

Fightin Phils Bats Quiet in 5-1 Loss to Yard Goats

Published on April 15, 2023 under Eastern League (EL)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release


(Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils were held to a season-low one run in Saturday night's 5-1 loss to the Hartford Yard Goats. Hartford's victory ensures the Yard Goats the series victory this week.

The game started with the teams trading scoreless first and second innings. Reading struck first in the bottom of the third when a throwing error on a pick off allowed Pedro Martinez to score after he reached on a single earlier in the inning. Reading remains winless this season in games when scoring the game's first run.

Reading held the 1-0 lead until the top of the sixth inning. In that frame, an intentional walk to Hunter Goodman put two on base with two outs for Grant Lavigne. Lavigne lifted a go-ahead, and eventual game-winning three-run home run to put the Yard Goats ahead 3-1.

Hartford added some insurance in the top of the eighth when Lavigne struck again. He belted a triple to center that scored Goodman, who had reached on a walk. Lavigne would come around to score later in the inning to make it 5-1 Hartford. Reading would get base runners in the eighth and ninth innings, respectively, but could not get the runners home. Baron Radcliff also left the game in the ninth inning after a hard slide back into first base.

Austin Kitchen closed the door in the ninth to earn his first save of the season. In total, Kitchen went 2.1 innings pitched, struck out two and allowed two hits. The win went to Mitch Kilkenny after a strong 2.2 innings pitched out of the bullpen. Andrew Quezada started for Hartford and went four innings, allowing four hits and one run, but it was not earned. He also struck out four R-Phils.

For Reading, Andrew Schultz suffered the loss to drop to 0-2. Schultz allowed three earned runs and two hits in one inning of work. Josh Hendrickson started for Reading and looked strong. Hendrickson threw five shutout innings, allowing just two hits and striking out four.

With the loss, Reading drops to 1-7 on the season, which marks its worse start since starting 1-6 in 2006. Hartford improves to 5-3 with the win and clinches the series. The two teams are back in action tomorrow at 3:15 p.m. for the final game of the series. It will be our first Berks Packing Sunday Family Fun Day and tickets are still available. Tickets can be purchased at rphils.com/tickets, by calling 610-370-BALL or in person at the Customers Bank Ticket Office.

The 2023 R-Phils season is presented by Pepsi. Follow the Fightin Phils on Twitter @ReadingFightins, like us on Facebook or follow us on Instagram @Fightins.

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Eastern League Stories from April 15, 2023


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