EL Reading Fightin Phils

Fightin Phils' Rally Falls Short in 6-4 Loss to Yard Goats

Published on April 14, 2023 under Eastern League (EL)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release


(Reading, PA) - Down to their final out in the bottom of the ninth, the Reading Fightin Phils loaded the bases, but Wendell Rijo flew out to center to stifle any Reading comeback in a 6-4 loss to Hartford on Friday night.

It was an all-around sloppy performance by the R-Phils, with Reading committing a season-high four errors and leaving 11 runners on base. Some bright spots offensively included a three-hit game from Johan Rojas and a couple of base knocks from Oliver Dunn.

Hartford got the scoring started in the top of the first inning. Zac Veen walked and stole second, then was driven home thanks to a double from Hunter Goodman. Reading responded in the bottom of the first with three runs to take a 3-1 lead. Oliver Dunn singled and he scored on a Carlos De La Cruz double. Baron Radcliff then followed that with a two-run home run that scored De La Cruz to tie the game at 3-3.

The teams traded scoreless second and third innings, but in the fourth Hartford added two more to re-take the lead 5-3. Two talks and a fielders choice got runners on base for the Yard Goats, then an RBI single from Drew Romo capped the scoring in the inning. Hartford then tacked on one-run each in the fifth and sixth innings. Veen lifted a solo home run in the fifth and Julio Carreras reached via an error by Reading first baseman Carlos De La Cruz, stole second and moved to third on a throwing error by catcher Max McDowell. Carreras would then come around to score.

In the bottom of the sixth, Reading began to claw back thanks to home run from Cody Roberts, who lifted one over the left-center wall to make it 5-4. Reading would then leave the bases loaded to finish the inning. Hartford then tacked on another run in the top of the seventh on a Colin Simpson home run. Reading would follow that up by going down in order in the seventh and eighth innings.

After a scoreless top of the ninth, Reading threatened down by two. The R-Phils loaded the bases thanks to back-to-back walks and an earlier leadoff single from Rojas. But, with the bases juiced, Rijo flew out to center field to stop the rally and end the game.

Dylan Spain earned the win for Hartford to move to 1-0 this season. The loss went to Tyler Phillips, who got the start for Reading, to drop to 0-1. Phillips pitched a season-high 4.2 innings, but also matched a career high with five walks issued. The save went to Dugan Darnell for Hartford, who pitched two innings in relief to close out the game.

Overall, Reading out hit Hartford 11-5. But Hartford left four on base to Reading's 11.

With the loss, Reading drops to 1-6, while Hartford improves to 4-3. The two teams are back in action tomorrow night at 5:15 p.m. Tickets are still available and can be purchased online at rphils.com/tickets, by calling 610-370-BALL or 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 14, 2023


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