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EL Reading Fightin Phils

Long Ball Helps Reading Blast Past Altoona

July 19, 2023 - Eastern League (EL)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release


(Altoona, PA) - Four home runs from the Reading Fightin Phils (8-8, 36-48) offense was plenty to bounce back and earn the win over the Altoona Curve (6-8, 40-42) Wednesday afternoon. The win for Reading evened this week's series at one.

R-Phils starting pitcher Tyler Phillips threw another solid outing, pitching 5.1 innings and striking out six Curve batters. The right hander allowed only five hits and one run, which came in the third inning.

After a quick 1-2-3 first inning from Curve starting pitcher Aaron Shortridge, Ethan Wilson blasted a solo home run over the right field fence to give Reading the early 1-0 lead in the second. The hits continued shortly after with a single from Casey Martin. Max McDowell followed with his second home run in as many games played. The two-run bomb extended the lead for the Fightins 3-0.

The R-Phils added another in the third thanks to Matthew Kroon. After two pop outs, Kroon rocketed a line-drive over the center fielders' head to record his second triple of the year. Kroon later scored on a throwing error from Altoona catcher Dylan Shockley to make it 4-0 Reading.

Altoona responded to get on the board in the bottom half of the third. After a lead-off single from Claudio Finol, Matt Frazier got the job done with a double to score Finol and make it 4-1, with Altoona still trailing. Phillips allowed another hit and walk to load the bases, but escaped the frame with a flyout to leave the bases loaded.

After his triple in the third, Kroon added a solo home run to left to make it 5-1 Reading in the sixth. McDowell's strong day continued with an RBI single to make it 6-1. Overall, McDowell matched a season-high with three RBI.

The home run train stayed on the tracks in the top of the eighth. After another hit from Wilson, Casey Martin sneaked his third home run of the year just over the wall in left-center field to add on the Fightin Phils lead 8-2.

Matt Seelinger finished the game out for Reading in the bottom of the ninth. Although Finol homered on the first pitch Seelinger threw in the inning, he managed to escape the frame and struck out two-of-the-final three Curve batters in the inning to give the Fightin Phils the victory 8-2 over the Curve.

Phillips (4-5) earned the win for Reading after 5.1 strong frames, while Shortridge (5-6) suffered the loss for Altoona, after after allowing five-earned runs and six hits over 5.2 innings.

Reading and Altoona are back on the field tomorrow at 6 p.m. RHP Mick Abel is scheduled to start for Reading and he will go opposite RHP Beau Sulser for Altoona. Radio coverage gets underway at 5:40 p.m. and can be listened to at rphils.com/radio. A video stream is also available on MiLB TV or the Bally Live App.

The Fightin Phils return home Tuesday, July 25, as the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (Mets) are in town. The series runs from Tuesday, July 25 to Sunday, July 30 and tickets 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 July 19, 2023


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