Fightin Phils Close First Half with Series Win
June 25, 2023 - Eastern League (EL)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release
(Portland, ME) - An 11-hit output helped the Reading Fightin Phils to a series-clinching 7-3 win over the Portland Sea Dogs on Sunday afternoon. The win gave Reading its season series win of the season.
Portland got going with a run in the bottom of the third. Tyler McDonough reached on a single and stole second. The throw from Cody Roberts went into center field and then Johan Rojas bobbled the ball in center, allowing McDonough to score and make it 1-0 Sea Dogs.
After being quieted early, Reading's offense broke through with two runs in the fifth. Cam Cannon reached on an error and Roberts followed with a single. Matthew Kroon then knocked both runs in with a single to make it 2-1 Reading. In the sixth, the R-Phils added on three more runs. Baron Radcliff led off the inning with a single and then scored when Nick Podkul tripled. Ethan Wilson then hit a sacrifice fly to make it 5-1 Reading.
Portland fought back with two runs in the bottom of the seventh. They came thanks to a two-run home run from Phillip Sikes to make it 5-3 Reading still.
But, in the top of the eighth Reading tacked on two more insurance runs. Radcliff singled to lead off the inning and scored on another triple from Podkul. With Podkul on third, Casey Martin singled him home to make it 7-3 Fightin Phils. Tyler McKay entered in the ninth and shut down Portland to secure the win for Reading.
Podkul's two triples mark the first time an R-Phils has hit two triples in a game since Art Charles did it in April 24, 2015. Kroon also had three hits, which is his 24th multi-hit game of the season and fourth three-hit game.
Tyler Phillips got the start, and earned the win, in an excellent outing. Phillips went five innings, allowing one-earned run on three hits, with six strikeouts. The win was Phillips' second of the week and improve him to 3-4. CJ Liu suffered the loss for the second time this week to fall to 4-6.
With the win, Reading improves to 28-40 and Portland falls to 40-29. The Fightin Phils earned their second series win of the season with the win and close out the first half with a win. Their record will now reset before the second half begins after two off days on Wednesday.
The Fightin Phils return home on Wednesday, June 28 to begin a series against the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Giants), that runs through Monday, July 3. Tickets to all games are still available 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.
Eastern League Stories from June 25, 2023
- Curve Set the Record Straight in Groovy Sunday Win - Altoona Curve
- Baysox Unravel in First Half Finale Loss to Curve - Chesapeake Baysox
- Ponies Fall to Ducks in Akron to Close out First Half - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Quantrill's Strong Start and Offense's Strong Second Inning Propels Ducks to 5-3 Win over Rumble Ponies - Akron RubberDucks
- Rodon Impresses As Somerset Sinks in Series Finale - Somerset Patriots
- Richmond Closes Homestand with Fourth Straight Victory - Richmond Flying Squirrels
- Sea Dogs Complete the First Half with 7-3 Loss - Portland Sea Dogs
- Fightin Phils Close First Half with Series Win - Reading Fightin Phils
- Yard Goats Game Cancelled - Hartford Yard Goats
- June 25, 2023 Sea Dogs Game Notes - Portland Sea Dogs
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