EL1 Reading Fightin Phils

Fightins Can't Shake Losing Woes in June

Published on June 1, 2013 under Eastern League (EL1)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release


READING, Pa.---Reading Fightin Phils (20-33) starting pitcher Hector Neris cruised through four innings before Akron Aeros (26-30) hitters chalked up three runs off of him in the fifth to send Reading to a 5-3 loss Saturday night at FirstEnergy Stadium.

It appeared as if Neris was well on his way to his fourth win after the former reliever retired eight straight batters including a fourth inning where he struck out the side. Left fielder Tyler Henson aided Neris' cause with a home run in the fourth inning to give the Fightins a 1-0 lead heading into the fifth.

Heading out to the mound with the lead in the fifth inning, Neris issued a walk to leadoff hitter Roberto Perez, but retired the next two batters via fly outs. The Aeros mounted a rally, though, when Ronny Rodriguez singled and Jose Ramirez walked to load the bases. Faced with a two-out jam, Neris gave up a bases-clearing double to Nate Spears that gave the Aeros a two-run lead. Akron later added to their lead in the sixth when Carlos Moncrief popped a home run off Neris to seal the game.

Reading didn't back down after losing the lead. Edgar Duran connected a double down the right field line in the sixth inning to plate Tyson Gillies, who singled in the at-bat prior, for his first of two hits. In the ensuing inning, Anthony Hewitt obliterated a solo home run past the retired numbers monument in deep center field to cut the Aeros lead to one.

The Aeros distanced themselves from the Fightins in the top of the ninth after Rodriguez drove in Giovanny Urshela on an RBI single off Kyle Simon to make it a 5-3 game. The Fightins fought back in the bottom half of the frame and got the tying to the plate, but Hewitt grounded into a 6-4-3 double play to end the game.

Mike Nesseth highlighted Reading's bullpen performance on Saturday as the former Nebraska Cornhusker struck out two in two scoreless innings.

RHP David Buchanan (1-6, 5.05 ERA) will lead the Fightin Phils on Sunday at 1:35 p.m. as they look to avoid being swept by the Aeros. RHP Rob Whitenack (0-1, 24.75 ERA) will start for Akron. Tune into Oldies 1340 WRAW-AM or MiLB.TV for the game broadcast with Fightins play-by-play announcer Anthony Oppermann starting at 1:05 p.m.

Fightins Fillers: Neris equaled his longest outing of his career by throwing six innings.....Reading hit two home runs-both solo shots- in the loss. The club now has 52 home runs this season, 34 of which have been solo blasts and 31 have been hit at America's Classic Ballpark.

The Fightin Phils continue their 47th season affiliated with the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday, June 2 at 1:35 p.m. when the team takes on the Akron Aeros. Tickets for the 2013 season can be purchased online at Fightins.com, by phone at 610-370-BALL, or in-person by visiting the FirstEnergy Stadium Ticket Office.

Check out the Reading Fightin Phils Statistics

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Eastern League Stories from June 1, 2013


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