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EL Reading Fightin Phils

Home Run Party Gives Reading Fourth Straight Win

July 14, 2023 - Eastern League (EL)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release


(Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils earned their first victory following the All-Star break against the Portland Sea Dogs 9-2 Friday night. With the win, Reading moves to .500 in the second half.

A four-day hiatus did not cool down the hot R-Phils, who were riding a three-game winning streak heading into the All-Star break. Reading starter David Parkinson excelled from first pitch, striking out the side in the top of the first inning. The southpaw pitched six innings, giving up two earned runs on four hits and striking out a season-high 10 batters.

Reading attacked Portland starter Sterling Sharp in the first inning, getting on the board thanks to a Madison Stokes leadoff double and a Carlos De La Cruz RBI single.

In the bottom of the second inning, Baron Radcliff hit a homer to deep right-center field to give the R-Phils an early 2-0 lead. The solo shot was Radcliff's third home run of the season, his first since coming off of the Injured List.

Portland earned one run back in the top of the third inning. Tyler McDonough doubled to center field and scored on a Pablo Reyes RBI single. Reyes, a member of the Boston Red Sox's roster, is continuing a MLB rehab assignment with the Sea Dogs.

Reyes later hit a solo home run to left-centerfield in the top of the sixth inning, tying the game at two.

The R-Phils fought back in the bottom frame. After Oliver Dunn roped a double down the left field line, Jhailyn Ortiz then crushed a home run to center field. The two-run homer was Ortiz's second of the season in Double-A. Two batters later, Radcliff lifted his second home run of the night over the right field fence.

While appearing in an MLB rehab assignment, RHP Noah Song relieved Parkinson in the top of the seventh inning. Song pitched one-and-a-third innings, giving up just one hit and striking out two Sea Dog batters.

Reading added three more runs in the bottom of the seventh inning. After Stokes drew a leadoff walk, De La Cruz mashed a two-run homer to right-center field. De La Cruz's 17th home run leads the R-Phils this season. Matthew Kroon followed De La Cruz with a homer to right field. The duo's bats gave Reading its fourth back-to-back home runs this season.

R-Phils RHP Brett Schulze was given the ball with one out in the top of the eighth inning and struck out both batters faced.

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Reading added another insurance run after Stokes walked and Dunn hit a RBI triple off the left field wall. The triple was Dunn's third extra-base hit of the game.

Carlos Francisco closed out the game for Reading. The righty threw a hitless inning and struck out two Sea Dog batters.

Parkinson earned the win for Reading to improve to 4-4 on the season and Sharp suffered the loss for Portland to fall to 2-2. With the win, Reading improves to 6-6 in the second half and Portland falls to 10-3 in the second half with the loss.

Notes

Baron Radcliff's first home run of the night was his first since April 14, 2023. It was also his first HR since suffering a collarbone injury.

Radcliff's two homer game was the first R-Phil to hit two home runs in a game since Oliver Dunn on June 16 against Hartford. Radcliff's last two home run game dates back to August 30, 2022 playing for Jersey Shore at Hudson Valley. It was the fourth multi-homer game of his career.

David Parkinson struck out a season-high 10 batters.

Oliver Dunn hit two doubles for the third time this season.

Dunn hit three extra base hits , which was the first time for an R-Phil since Johan Rojas on July 9, 2023

Carlos De La Cruz and Matthew Kroon's home runs were the fourth back-to-back home runs this season. The last time two R-Phils hit back-to-back home runs was on June 18 when De La Cruz and Nick Podkul did it against Hartford.

Reading and Portland return to the field Saturday night at 6:45 p.m. RHP Griff McGarry is scheduled to start for Reading, and he will go opposite RHP Grant Gambrell for Portland. Pregame coverage is underway at 6:30 p.m. and can be listened at rphils.com/radio. A video stream is also available on MiLB TV or the Bally Live App.

Saturday is Stranger Things Night as the R-Phils will wear special Stranger Things uniforms and the night will conclude with postgame Carpenter MEGA Blast Fireworks, the largest fireworks show in stadium history. On Sunday, the first 3,000 fans will receive an Alec Bohm t-shirt and kids can run the bases following the game. Tickets to all games are still available, but are going fast and can be purchases 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 July 14, 2023


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