EL Reading Fightin Phils

Hot Dogs Grill Steamed Cheeseburgers

Published on August 1, 2023 under Eastern League (EL)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release


(Hartford, CT) - The Reading Hot Dogs (12-15, 40-55) reigned supreme over the Hartford Steamed Cheeseburgers (12-14, 41-52) 9-4 on Tuesday night to open a six-game set. It was the teams' annual food showdown.

Josh Hendrickson (W, 2-6) was solid for Reading, allowing four earned runs over five innings. The lefty picked up a season-high eight strikeouts, which also matched a career-high. In total, Reading pitching garnered double-digit strikeouts again.

Reading wasted little time, as Oliver Dunn doubled home Carlos De La Cruz to make it 1-0 R-Phils in the first. But, Hartford struck right back thanks to an RBI single from Hunter Goodman in the bottom of the inning to even the matchup at one.

In the second, Baron Radcliff singled and Casey Martin followed with a double to put runners on second and third. Max McDowell followed with a single to left to score both Radcliff and Martin and put Reading up 3-1. In the bottom of the third Kyle Datres smacked a two-run home run that scored Niko Decolati and tie the game at three.

The Hot Dogs got cooking in the fourth. McDowell singled, then Pedro Martinez walked and Matthew Kroon was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Carlos De La Cruz then singled to score both McDowell and Martinez. With Kroon and De La Cruz on, Dunn's hot night continued when he launched a home run to left to complete a five-run inning for Reading and make it 8-3 Hot Dogs. Dunn had three hits and four RBI on the night and was a triple shy of the cycle.

Reading tacked on another run in the fifth to make it 9-3. McDowell walked and was replaced at first when Martinez hit into a fielder's choice. Kroon reached on a fielder's choice and Martinez advanced to third on an error to put runners on the corners. De La Cruz then grounded out, but Martinez scored for the lone run in the inning.

Goodman launched his 25th home run of the season off Hendrickson in the bottom of the fifth to make it 9-4, with Reading still up. Hendrickson's night would end after the fifth.

Nick Garcia (L, 2-9) struggled on the night. Garcia went just 3.1 innings, allowing eight runs on eight hits, and had just two strikeouts.

Following Hendrickson, Reading's bullpen was stellar. Max Kuhns, Andrew Baker, and Dominic Pipkin all tossed scoreless frames in the sixth, seventh, and eighth respectively. Tommy McCollum entered in the ninth and shut Hartford down to finish off the win for the Hot Dogs.

Reading and Hartford are back in action Wednesday night at 7:10 p.m. RHP Adam Leverett is scheduled to start for Reading, and he will go opposite RHP Case Williams for Hartford. Video coverage is available on MiLB TV or the Bally Live App.

The Fightin Phils return home Tuesday, August 15, to begin a six-game series with the Somerset Patriots (Yankees). Tickets to all games are 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 August 1, 2023


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