EL1 Reading Fightin Phils

Fightin Phils Game Recap 5-20

Published on May 20, 2017 under Eastern League (EL1)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release


Rowley Steers Fisher Cats to 9-1 Win

New Hampshire hammer season-high 15 hits to even series

Reading, PA - With top starter Francisco Rios on the disabled list and unavailable for this weekend's series in Baseballtown, the Fisher Cats turned to former Army cadet Chris Rowley for the middle game of three. A three-year veteran who spent four years pitching at West Point, Rowley was making just his second start of the season. And he delivered with a stellar performance that just might have earned him a permanent spot in the rotation, holding the Fightin Phils off the scoreboard for more than 5.0 innings. In the end, the Fightins couldn't overcome an early 5-0 deficit, and New Hampshire's season-high 15 hits allowed them to even the series in front of 7,607 at FirstEnergy Stadium.

After being named the Eastern League's Pitcher of the Week on Monday, Drew Anderson looked poised upon getting two quick outs in the top of the first. The inning skidded away when Danny Jansen reached on an infield single, which allowed Ryan McBroom to drive a 1-0 pitch over the left field wall for a 2-0 lead. A single by Harold Ramirez and a passed ball brought up Richard Urena, who delivered the fourth two out base hit to put the visitors ahead 3-0.

In the second, number nine hitter Derrick Loveless reached on a one out single. After stealing second, he scored on a base hit from Jonathan Davis that made it 4-0. Jansen continued his impressive weekend with a double into left, scoring the speedy Davis from first for a commanding 5-0 lead. Anderson (3-1) had one more inning left in him in the third, striking out Loveless to retire the side with two runners in scoring position.

The first turn through the Fightin Phils lineup looked pretty easy for Rowley, who didn't allow his first hit until Jiandido Tromp singled with one out in the third. Scott Kingery reached on a fielder's choice, and Malquin Canelo followed with another single before Carlos Tocci grounded out to first to end the threat. During Rowley's (1-1) last inning in the sixth, Tocci got to second on a two base throwing error from Urena at short. Lefthander Alonzo Gonzalez soon entered from the bullpen with one out, and walked both Andrew Pullin and Mitch Walding to load the bases for Chace Numata. A popup to second closed out the inning, and led to the Fisher Cats pulling away late.

Joey DeNato played a big role with 3.0 scoreless innings, lowering his ERA to 1.32 since joining the Fightin Phils last month. The top of the eighth was another successful one for the Fisher Cats, who got a leadoff home run from Gunnar Heidt to open up a 6-0 lead. Loveless got on with a double, and leadoff hitter Tim Lopes reached on an error. An RBI single from Davis and a sacrifice fly from Ramirez brought in two more runs to put the 'Cats ahead 8-0. In the ninth, Emilio Guerrero took the first pitch he saw and belted a leadoff homer, giving the Fightins a large hole to climb out of with three outs left.

Numata led off with a walk, effectively ending his season-long hitting streak at 12 games. With two outs, Kingery worked a walk, and Canelo prevented the Fisher Cats from winning their first shutout with an RBI single into right center. The fun ended there on a popup from Tocci, setting the stage for the series finale tomorrow afternoon at 2:05 PM.

America's Classic Ballpark is proud to be a part of Pennsylvania's Americana Region. Season tickets for the 2017 season are available online at Fightins.com, by phone at 610-370-BALL, and in-person at FirstEnergy Stadium. Follow the Fightin Phils on Twitter at @ReadingFightins and like them on Facebook via www.facebook.com/fightins.

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Eastern League Stories from May 20, 2017


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