EL1 Reading Fightin Phils

Fightins split twin-bill with Portland

Published on June 29, 2015 under Eastern League (EL1)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release


The Fightin Phils (40-36) and Portland Sea Dogs (28-29) split Monday's double-header while Portland took game one by a score of 5-4 in nine innings. Reading won 6-1 in game two behind Mark Leiter's Jr first double-A win.

In game one, Andrew Knapp put the Fightin Phils on the board with a two-run single off William Cuevas in the top of the first inning, scoring Kelly Dugan and Brock Stassi. Keury De La Cruz put the Sea Dogs on the board in the bottom of the second inning with a RBI single off Zach Eflin to cut the Fightin Phils lead to 2-1.

Gustavo Pierre recorded his first RBI in nine games as he hit a sacrifice fly off Cuevas in the top of the fourth to give Reading a 3-1 lead. Drew Heid scored on the play, his first run as a Fightin Phil. Marco Hernandez tied the game at 3-3 for Portland in the bottom of the fifth off Eflin as he hit a two-run triple with two outs.

After an error by Kelly Dugan with two outs that allowed Sam Travis to reach second-base in the bottom of the sixth inning, Manuel Margot hit a RBI double to give the Sea Dogs a 4-3 lead. Andrew Knapp tied the game at 4-4 in the top of the seventh as he hit a sacrifice fly to score KC Serna.

Zach Eflin allowed four runs (three earned) off seven in six innings with three strikeouts. Colton Murry entered the game in the bottom of the seventh inning. He pitched two shutout innings with one walk issued and one hit given up. He recorded two strikeouts.

Portland won the game on a walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the ninth by Reed Gragnani that issued Joely Rodriguez (1-1) his first loss as a Fightin Phils. Reading would lose the game 5-4. JP Crawford's 27 game on-base streak with the Fightin Phils came to an end as he went 0 for 5 in the game.

In game two, JP Crawford got the Fightin Phils on the board with a RBI single off Robby Scott in the top of the second inning. KC Serna gave Reading a 2-0 lead off Scott in the following at-bat with a sacrifice fly that scored Harold Martinez. Brian Pointer hit a pinch-hit solo home run off Simon Mercedes in the top of the fifth inning to give Reading a 3-0 lead. The pinch-hit home run was the first time by a Fightin Phils since Chris Serritella on 5/3/14 vs. Harrisburg.

Kelly Dugan hit a two-run single off reliever John Cornely in the top of the seventh inning to give the Fightin Phils a 5-0 lead. Rene Garcia added a RBI single to cap the score at 6-0.

Mark Leiter Jr. (1-2) was one out away from a complete-game shutout but gave up a solo home run to Keury De La Cruz to cut the Fightins lead to 6-1. It was Leiter's first win at the double-A level.

The Fightin Phils will play the New Britain Rock Cats for the first time this season on Tuesday night. First pitch is at 7:05 pm from New Britain Stadium. Fans can listen to the game on CBS Sports Radio 1240 AM/98-5 FM and fightins.com beginning at 6:35 pm.

Tickets for the 2015 season are available online at Fightins.com, by phone at 610-370-BALL, and in-person at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Check out the Reading Fightin Phils Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Eastern League Stories from June 29, 2015


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central