Friend Hangs on to Preserve Hyatt's Night in 2-1 Win
Published on August 25, 2012 under Eastern League (EL1)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release
(Reading, Pa.)---It was a dramatic finish to the 2-1 win by the Reading Phillies (71-62) over the Erie SeaWolves (55-77) Saturday night at FirstEnergy Stadium.
Leading by one run heading into the ninth inning, closer Justin Friend came on seeking his Eastern League-leading 22nd save. Friend got into some trouble as he loaded the bases following singles to Corey Jones and Brandon Douglas and a walk to Jamie Johnson. Detroit Tigers prospect Nick Castellanos stepped to the plate and was issued three balls in three pitches by Friend. Down 3-0 in the count, Friend dealt the fourth pitch to Castellanos, which the Erie outfielder swung and grounded into a Troy Hanzawa-Tug Hulett-Jake Fox double play for his 22nd save in 22 save opportunities.
Friend trails Toby Borland and Wayne Gomes by two saves for the Reading baseball single-season record. He currently is tied for fourth with all-time saves leader Ricky Bottalico.
Friend anchored a relief effort that held Erie batters scoreless for the second night in a row following a effective outing by starter Austin Hyatt. Having sustained losses in his past two starts, Hyatt picked up the winning decision after giving up one earned run on five hits through five innings. The Alabama product buzzed through the first three innings without giving up hit until the fourth inning.
His performance was helped out in a large part by a great defensive stop by Cody Asche in the fifth inning. With a man on third base, Asche fielded a ball hit towards him by Brandon Douglas and quickly threw it to catcher Tommy Joseph to gun down the potential tying run.
Leandro Castro tied a career-high when he hit his 10th home run in the second inning to give the R-Phils the early lead. Reading added its game-winning run in the bottom of the fifth inning when Darin Ruf drove in Tyson Gillies on a single to center field. Ruf has now notched 94 RBI this season, two more than any batter in the Eastern League.
With its win tonight and a seventh straight loss by New Britain, Reading extended its lead to three games for the final Eastern Division playoff spot.. The R-Phils also came within another game of Trenton's hold on the division and now sit four games behind the Thunder.
Saturday's win came in front of 9, 687 fans in Baseballtown, the 15th largest crowd in stadium history.
RHP Brody Colvin (1-2/9.25 ERA) aims for his first winning decision in four outings as the R-Phils look for the series sweep Sunday night. Tune into 1340 WRAW-AM on the radio dial or online at 1340WRAW.com starting at 5:35 p.m. for the game broadcast with the voice of the Reading Phillies, Brian Seltzer.
Tickets for all regular season and playoff home games, including the Harry Kalas Talking Bobblehead giveaway on August 27th, can be purchased online at www.RPhils.com, by phone at 610-370-BALL, and in person at the R-Phils Ticket Office at FirstEnergy Stadium. The 2012 season featuring the Baseballtown All-Star Classic at America's Classic Ballpark is presented by Pepsi.
Eastern League Stories from August 25, 2012
- Friend Hangs on to Preserve Hyatt's Night in 2-1 Win - Reading Fightin Phils
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- Curve Pick up 1,000th Franchise Win with 3-0 Blanking of Squirrels - Altoona Curve
- Joseph Walk-Off Caps Baysox Comeback - Chesapeake Baysox
- Adams Record-Breaking HR Not Enough in 4-3 Loss at Akron - Trenton Thunder
- Curve Stifle Squirrels in Game Three, 3-0 - Richmond Flying Squirrels
- Lind Powers Fisher Cats to 4-2 Win over New Britain - New Hampshire Fisher Cats
- Senators Lead Slips Away in 5-4 Loss - Harrisburg Senators
- 'Wolves Outhit Phils, Fall 2-1 - Erie SeaWolves
- Sea Dogs Win Streak Snapped with 5-1 Loss - Portland Sea Dogs
- Gorski Cages Sea Dogs in 5-1 Victory - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
- Thunder Break Franchise Season Home Run Record - Trenton Thunder
- Sea Dogs Game Notes August 25 vs. Binghamton - Portland Sea Dogs
- Erie SeaWolves at Reading Phillies - Game Notes - Erie SeaWolves
- Flying Squirrels Game Notes at Altoona - Richmond Flying Squirrels
- B-Mets Game Notes: at Portland Sea Dogs - Binghamton Rumble Ponies
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