EL Reading Fightin Phils

Fightins' Comeback Falls Short as Senators Claim Victory

Published on August 26, 2023 under Eastern League (EL)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release


(Harrisburg, PA) - A late comeback effort fell short as the Reading Fightin Phils (24-26, 52-66) fell 7-6 to the Harrisburg Senators (24-26, 55-63) on Saturday night. With the win, Harrisburg is now down 3-2 to Reading in this week's series.

Harrisburg wasted no time getting to Reading starter Josh Hendrickson (L, 2-7). Robert Hassell III singled in the bottom of the first. With two outs, James Wood hit his 16th home run of the season to make it 2-0 Senators. After Brady House singled, Terone Harris III hit Harrisburg's second home run of the inning to complete the four-run frame.

Reading got on the board in the top of the third. Casey Martin led off the inning with a double to left. Madison Stokes followed with a single to score Martin and make it 4-1.

But, Harrisburg responded with three runs of its own in the bottom of the inning. Wood led off the inning with a double to right. House then flew out to center, moving Wood to third. Harris III followed with a single to score Wood and two batters later Donovan Casey doubled to plate Harris III. The third run came home when Arruda doubled to score Casey and make it 7-1.

In the top of the fourth, Reading began to fight back with three runs. Max McDowell led off the inning with a double, then Rixon Wingrove walked to put runners on first and second. Stokes' strong night continued with a double to knock home McDowell and make it 7-2. Nick Ward followed with a ground out to plate Wingrove. Stokes then came around to score on a wild pitch to end the inning 7-4.

Reading's comeback efforts continued in the eighth. Oliver Dunn led off the inning with a walk. Ethan Wilson then walked to put runners on first and second. Baron Radcliff doubled to score Dunn and make it a two-run deficit. McDowell then had another base knock to plate Wilson and make it 7-6.

Down one, Reading got a leadoff double from Ward to lead off the ninth. But, three straight outs from Joel Peguero (S, 10) closed the game to secure the victory for Harrisburg.

Michael Cuevas (W, 3-6) started and went five innings while allowing four runs on six hits, with four strikeouts. Hendrickson went five innings for Reading, allowing seven runs on eight hits, with four punchouts. Andrew Schultz and Jordi Martinez combined to toss three-shutout innings for Reading in relief.

Reading and Harrisburg are back in action for game six of this week's series tomorrow at 1 p.m. LHP David Parkinson is scheduled to start for Reading, and he will go opposite LHP DJ Herz for Harrisburg. A video stream is available via MiLB TV or the Bally Live App.

Reading returns home for a 12-game homestand, running August 29 through September 10. It'll start with a series against the New Hampshire Fisher Cats on the 29th. Tickets to all games are 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.

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Eastern League Stories from August 26, 2023


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