EL Reading Fightin Phils

Reading Bats Stay Hot in Bowie, Falling Just Shy of Victory

Published on May 15, 2021 under Eastern League (EL)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release


The R-Phils offense had every batter but one reach base at least once, but they were unable to maintain the lead Saturday night against the Baysox, losing 7-5. Josh Stephen was the hottest bat for Reading in this one, driving in two of the five runs on one hit and a walk. Colby Fitch reached all five times he came to the plate, smacking a double in his lone hit and reaching first on four walks.

The feisty Phils offense would not allow the shutdown inning for Bowie, as Daniel Brito and McCarthy Tatum were able to capitalize on the throwing error by third baseman Patrick Dorrian. An RBI walk by Stephen would give Reading the early lead in the second, 3-2 after two.

In just his second game with Reading, outfielder Hunter Hearn was inches away from his first hit with the Phils being for extra bases, but he was robbed of a hit by Bowie left fielder Zach Jarrett, which would strand two on base.

Stephen would manage to put more runs on the board in the top of the 6th, when his second double of the season brought in Fitch. Matt Vierling would do his job following Stephen, as he brought in Arquimedes Gamboa on a sacrifice fly.

The bats stayed alive after surrendering the lead, as they loaded the bases with one away trailing 6-5. Reading had life in the 9th as well, but left the tying run on first to finish with a score of 7-5.

The offense came early for the Baysox, as Robert Neustrom brought in two on a single. They got to Ethan Lindow early in his start, however the southpaw was able to calm down and strike out the side, stopping a potential big inning with the bases loaded.

After just one inning for Lindow, freshly called up Branden Zarbnisky was lights out in his two innings of work. He only allowed one base runner in the form of a walk, and fanned three in his Double-A debut. Following Zarbnisky out of the pen was Julian Garcia, who would take the bulk work. His first three innings were dominant, facing the minimum and only allowing one baserunner. Garcia's second time through the order would be where he ran into trouble, as he allowed three runs on two hits to give the Baysox the lead once again. Joel Cesar (L, 1) would come in to finish the 7th for Garcia, but he would allow one more before recording the third out.

Bowie handed the ball to Cody Sedlock to start off game five. David Lebron picked up the win for Bowie, as Tim Naughton completed the save. Lebron and Naughton would keep Reading scoreless, as a big inning from Alexis Torres and top Orioles prospect Adley Rutschman to put the Baysox ahead for good. They later went on to add an insurance run on a solo shot by J.C. Escarra to make the final score 7-5.

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Eastern League Stories from May 15, 2021


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