EL Reading Fightin Phils

Fightins Unable to Salvage Sunday Finale to Fisher Cats

Published on September 3, 2023 under Eastern League (EL)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release


(Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils (26-31, 54-71) fell to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (24-30, 59-63) 5-2 on Sunday night. With the loss, Reading falls in five-of-six games to New Hampshire in this week's series.

Both offenses remained quiet through the first three innings of the game, as both Josh Hendrickson (L, 2-8) and Ricky Tiedemann kept each offense at bay. New Hampshire struck first in the top of the fourth when Will Robertson smacked a solo home run off Hendrickson to lead off the inning. After Jeffrey Wehler reached on a single, Riley Tirotta hit New Hampshire's second home run of the inning, a two run shot, to grow the Fisher Cats' lead to 3-0.

Reading struck back in the bottom of the fifth when Cody Roberts lifted a solo home run over the right field wall to make it 3-1. But, New Hampshire tacked on two-more runs in the top of the sixth off Hendrickson, as both runs were unearned. Robertson stayed hot and led off the inning with a single then swiped second. He moved to third when Trevor Schwecke grounded to short. With Robertson on third Jeffrey Wehler reached on an error by Reading third baseman Madison Stokes to make it 4-1. Wehler would then move from first to third on a throwing error from Hendrickson on an attempted pickoff. Wehler then scored on a sacrifice fly from Riley Tirotta to make it 5-1.

In the bottom of the sixth, Oliver Dunn led off the inning with a walk, then moved to second on a Jhailyn Ortiz single. Stokes followed with a single to drive home Dunn and make it 5-2. Reading would load the bases but go down without any further damage to keep it a three-run deficit.

Ricky Tiedemann started for New Hampshire and was strong again over just three innings. He allowed just one hit, two walks and struck out five. Trevor Clifton (W, 1-1) tossed two-strong frames out of the bullpen and struck out two. TJ Brock (S, 8) entered in the ninth and shut Reading down to record the save with a pair of strikeouts.

After an off day tomorrow, Reading is back in action Tuesday at 6:45 p.m. against the Portland Sea Dogs (Red Sox) from FirstEnergy Stadium. The pitching matchups have yet to be announced. Pregame coverage is underway at 6:30 p.m. and can be listened at rphils.com/radio. A video stream is also available via MiLB TV or the Bally Live App.

Tuesday is Pride Night and the first 1,000 fans will receive an R-Phils Rainbow Rally Towel. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are also unused ticket games. Game worn jerseys will also be auctioned off next week, with Keystones on Thursday, Los Luchadores on Friday and Pinstripes on Saturday. Friday, Saturday and Sunday will all feature postgame fireworks as we close out the 2023 home schedule. Tickets to all games are still 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 September 3, 2023


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