EL1 Reading Fightin Phils

Fightins remain winless in Richmond after 7-5 setback

Published on July 28, 2018 under Eastern League (EL1)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release


(Richmond, VA) - The Reading Fightin Phils showed great resolve in Saturday night's affair against the Flying Squirrels. Battling back from three separate three-run deficits, they got a huge lift when Drew Stankiewicz tied it up with a three-run home run in the top of the seventh. But all night long Richmond had an immediate answer, and the difference was Nick Hill's go-ahead two-run single in the bottom of the inning for a 7-5 win in front of 8,056 at The Diamond.

After beating the first place Fisher Cats in his Double-A debut on Monday, Fightin Phils starter Felix Paulino fell behind early when he surrendered a two-run single to Dylan Davis in the bottom of the first. Two batters later it was Jonah Arenado slicing a double into right center for a 3-0 Squirrels lead, setting the Fighting back for the first time.

Reading's single runs in the second and fifth came without the aid of RBIs. Instead, a throwing error from Ali Castillo on a potential double play turn in the second brought in the first run. In the fifth, Malquin Canelo made things happen with a two out double and scored on a pair of wild pitches from starter Jake McCasland to cut the deficit to 4-2.

The Flying Squirrels went back in front by three in the bottom of the sixth during Luke Leftwich's second inning of relief. A leadoff walk to Arenado was the catalyst, and later, Caleb Gindl's third of four singles in the ballgame gave the Squirrels a 5-2 hold.

In the top of the seventh, the Fightins mounted a two-out rally against Ryan Halstead, who got the first two outs no problem. Singles from Canelo and pinch-hitter Heiker Meneses sent Stankiewicz to the plate, and the second baseman came through with his second homer on a drive to right to tie the score at five.

Josh Tols was called from the Fightin Phils bullpen in the bottom of the seventh, and got into some trouble when he walked Davis before plunking Aramis Garcia with an 0-2 pitch. A wild pitch pushed the runners into scoring position, and with two outs, Hill delivered the game-winner with a single back up the middle for two RBIs in his first Double-A start.

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 July 28, 2018


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