EL1 Reading Fightin Phils

Reading avoids being swept in series finale

Published on May 3, 2015 under Eastern League (EL1)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release


The Fightin Phils (13-9) avoided a sweep on Sunday afternoon to the Portland Sea Dogs (9-14) as they won 6-5. Ben Lively (2-0) tossed a season-high nine strikeouts while Art Charles hit his first career Double-A home run.

Portland scored first for the third time in the series as Blake Tekotte hit a RBI single off Lively in the top of the second inning to score Reed Gragnani and give the Sea Dogs a 1-0 lead. Reading tied the game at 1-1 off Luis Diaz (0-2) in the bottom of the second inning as Harold Martinez hit a RBI groundout to score Art Charles. The Sea Dogs jumped ahead 2-1 off Lively in the top of the third inning as Jantzen Witte hit a solo home run.

Reading tied the game at 2-2 off Diaz in the bottom of the fourth inning as Art Charles hit his first home run of the season. Keury De La Cruz broke up the tie with a go-ahead RBI double off Lively in the top of the fifth to give the Sea Dogs a 3-2 lead. Reading tied the game at 3-3 of Diaz in the bottom of the inning with a sacrifice fly by Brock Stassi.

The Fightin Phils finally took a lead in the bottom of the sixth inning with two outs as Brian Pointer hit a go-ahead RBI single to score Tony Thomas and give the team a 4-3 lead. Diaz left the game after 5 2/3 innings for reliever Madison Younginer. Reading added to their lead in the bottom of the seventh inning as Aaron Altherr hit a RBI single off Younginer to give the Fightins a 5-3 lead.

Lively left after six innings as he allowed three runs off seven hits with one walk and nine strikeouts. Nefi Ogando came into the game and pitched two shutout innings before handing the ball to Stephen Shackleford for the top of the ninth inning.

Before Shackleford took the mound, Reading scored their final run of the game as Brian Pointer hit his third home run on the season to give them a 6-3 lead. Shackleford earned his fourth save of the season despite allowing two runs with two outs to Jantzen Witte as he hit a two-run double.

The Fightin Phils will continue their home stand on Monday evening beginning at 6:35 pm. The Fightins welcome in the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Fans can listen to the game on CBS Sports Radio 1240 AM/98-5 FM and fightins.com beginning at 6:05 pm. Fans can also watch the game on MiLB.tv beginning at 6:35 pm.

Tickets for the 2015 season are available online at Fightins.com, by phone at 610-370-BALL, and in-person at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Check out the Reading Fightin Phils Statistics

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Eastern League Stories from May 3, 2015


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