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EL Reading Fightin Phils

R-Phils Robbed in Bottom of the Ninth

May 7, 2021 - Eastern League (EL)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release


The Reading Fightin Phils were deprived of a win Thursday night after an exciting rally in the bottom of the ninth. The R-Phils were down 5-2 headed into the final half inning against the Erie SeaWolves.

On a controversial call by home plate umpire Kelvis Velez, the game ended 5-4 in favor of the SeaWolves.

Reading made the third game of the season an electrifying one for the fans at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Their first runs did not cross home until the seventh inning thanks to two consecutive walks by Matt Kroon and Arquimedes Gamboa. Then, Daniel Brito reached on an error by the SeaWolves second baseman which allowed Kroon and Gamboa to score. After a deflating eighth inning, the Fightins were not ready to give up.

In the bottom of the ninth, Luke Miller started things off by singling to left field. Gamboa made his way to first on a fielder's choice and Miller advanced to second on an error. Dalton Guthrie shot a ball to the right field corner and Miller scored easily to make it 5-3. With Brito up at the plate, representing the tying run, an RBI single was sent into right field. The score was now 5-4. Matt Vierling sent a perfectly placed sacrifice fly to deep right field. As Guthrie tagged up at third, Jacob Robson gunned the ball to the plate. Jon Rosoff applied the tag, according to Velez, and the game ended 5-4 Erie. Manager Shawn Williams was irate at the call as he did not see the tag applied to Guthrie during his slide home. After some heated discussion, Velez ejected Williams postgame.

Erie started off the hitting with a solo homer off the bat of Yariel Gonzalez. Their big offensive inning came in the third with another solo shot by Ryan Kreidler. Two other runs scored as John Valente and Rosoff crossed the plate. Erie tacked on another run as a stand-up double by Valente allowed Dylan Rosa to make his way home.

James McArthur put up a solid first outing of the 2021 season. While the stat line might not say so, his velocity and four pitch repertoire is something to look forward to seeing. The bullpen shined in this game as Colton Eastman came out first in relief. He gave up one run and struck out two. Austin Ross followed for an impressive second outing. He struck out the side in the seventh and added another K in the eight again going 1-2-3. Ethan Evanko came on to finish the job giving up just one hit through one inning.

The Erie SeaWolves utilized five pitchers in tonight's contest. Starter Elvin Rodriguez threw four innings, allowing just two hits and no runs. Mark Leiter Jr. followed out of the pen and kept the game rolling, giving up just one hit. Leiter Jr. would go on to record the win. Billy Lescher followed but only lasted 0.2 innings after a costly error by Dylan Rosa in left field would let two unearned runs score.

The ball was then handed to Henry Martinez for an inning and a third of no-hit ball. Closer Joe Navilhon (S, 1) was sent to the mound to finish things off. It was a dicey ninth as he gave up three hits and two runs during the Fightins rally.

The Double-A affiliate of the Phillies will host two home series in May at America's Classic Ballpark. This includes three more games from playing as the Los Luchadores on Friday, May 7th through Sunday, May 9th against the Erie SeaWolves (Tigers). AND, another SIX games from May 25th to May 30th against the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Giants). Come celebrate Mother's Day and Memorial Day Weekend with us at the ballpark! Visit rphils.com/tickets, the Weidenhammer Ticket Office, or call 610-370-BALL to secure your tickets to a game!

The 2021 season is presented by Pepsi. America's Classic Ballpark is proud to be a part of Pennsylvania's Americana Region and was voted the #1 stadium in all of Double-A by MiLB's Ben Hill. Follow the R-Phils at rphils.com, on Twitter and TikTok at @ReadingFightins, on Instagram @fightins, and like them on Facebook via www.facebook.com/fightins for all information.

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Eastern League Stories from May 7, 2021


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