EL1 Reading Fightin Phils

Fightins Fall Just Short in Return Home

Published on June 1, 2018 under Eastern League (EL1)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release


(Reading, PA) - Coming off an impressive 6-2 roadtrip that saw them win back-to-back to series in Portland and Trenton, the Fightin Phils opened the month of June with confidence when they welcomed the Flying Squirrels to FirstEnergy Stadium on Friday night. While some early struggles from starter Jose Taveras opened the door to a quick 6-1 deficit through three innings, the Fightins tenacity showed when they battled back and eventually tied the game in the sixth inning. Darick Hall had two hits, including a home run, in his Double-A debut and lefthander Jeff Singer was really sharp with three scoreless innings of relief.

The Flying Squirrels put up five runs after a scoreless first inning when they batted around and sent 10 batters to the plate against Phillies 40-man member Taveras. K.C. Hobson opened the inning with his third home run, and Squirrels starter Garrett Williams helped the cause with a line double over center fielder Jan Hernandez for a 3-0 lead. Luigi Rodriguez' incredible start to the season continued with a 2-run homer, and in the blink of an eye, the visitors had an early 5-0 lead.

In the home second, Brandon Bednar's opposite field double into the right field corner scored Deivi Grullon after a leadoff walk. However, the deficit went back to five when Ronnie Jebavy got under a sacrifice fly for Richmond in the top of the third on a night where Taveras was lifted after just four innings.

The comeback continued when Bednar brought in his second run with a sacrifice fly of his own in the bottom of the fourth. Later in the inning, Jiandido Tromp's line single up the middle brought in the second run and cut the deficit to 6-3. Hall led off the fifth with a home run off reliever Connor Overton for his second hit of the night after a single in the third. Jan Hernandez' second single was helpful, and Bednar kept rolling with another base hit to make it a one-run game for his second 3-RBI game of the season.

Hall made things happen again in the sixth after a leadoff walk to Tromp and a double down the left field line from Zach Green. A broken bat groundout to second tied the game, but also signaled the flipping point of the night because the Fightin Phils had just one more hit the rest of the night on a Bednar single in the bottom of the tenth inning.

Singer's three scoreless innings marked an impressive return to Baseballtown, and Seth McGarry had a really strong outing despite the final outcome. Pitching his third inning in the top of the tenth, a wild pitch and a passed ball scored Aramis Garcia, who came around after starting extras as the runner at second base. The Fightins made

things interesting in the bottom of the inning with a chance to win the ballgame against righthander Patrick Ruotolo. Bednar's base hit and a walk to Malquin Canelo loaded the bases, but Ruotolo got the final out to give the Flying Squirrels game one 7-6 as they improved to 6-1 against the Fightin Phils this season.

America's Classic Ballpark is proud to be a part of Pennsylvania's Americana Region. Season tickets for the 2018 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 June 1, 2018


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