EL1 Reading Fightin Phils

Reading Blasts Their Way to Two Wins in Erie

Published on August 19, 2016 under Eastern League (EL1)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release


Erie, Pa - The Reading Fightin Phils (81-43) took both games against the Erie SeaWolves (52-73) on Friday night at Jerry Uht Park. They bypassed last season's win total while Dylan Cozens homered twice and recorded six RBI. Reading combined for 19 runs and 29 hits.

Reading and Erie completed their suspended game from July 31st. Reading had a 2-0 lead as Angelo Mora hit a two-run single in the top of the second before the game had been called due to wet grounds. Ricardo Pinto (5-5) started the game for Reading as he came in the game in the bottom of the second. Mark Leiter Jr. had originally started the game on July 31st only going one inning.

Dylan Cozens belted his 36th home run of the season off SeaWolves starter Cory Riordan (4-8) in the top of the eighth to give Reading a 3-0 lead. It also recorded his 109th RBI of the season. Mitch Walding hit a RBI single then Mora hit a RBI double. Scott Kingery hit a two-run double to extend Reading's lead to 7-0. Riordan left the game with two outs in the inning. Kurt Spomer got Andrew Pullin to fly out to centerfield to end the inning.

Kody Eaves hit a home run off Pinto in the bottom of the eighth to cut Reading's lead to 7-1. It was his league-leading 19th home run allowed this season. Cozens hit a two-run home run off Spomer in the top of the ninth to give Reading a 9-1 lead. The home run was his 37th of the season and he tied Ryan Howard who hit 37 back in 2004. He also recorded his 110th and 111th RBI of the season. Pinto went the distance as he finished out the game in the bottom of the ninth to preserve the 9-1 win.

In game two, Reading jumped out to a 3-0 lead against Thad Weber (0-1) and the SeaWolves. Jorge Alfaro hit a RBI double then scored on a sacrifice fly by Rhys Hoskins. Dylan Cozens singled then stole second base for his 20th stolen base of the season. He became the first 20/20 player in Reading history since Marlon Byrd who did it in 2001. Jake Fox added a RBI single off Weber for the third run of the inning.

Erie scored five runs off Gregory Infante in the bottom of the first to take a 5-3 lead. Grayson Greiner highlighted the inning with a two-run home run. Cozens hit a three-run double off Weber in the top of the second to give Reading a 6-5 lead. Jorge Alfaro hit a three-run home run off Weber in the top of the fourth to extend Reading's lead to 9-5. It was his first home run in August and his 13th of the season.

Infante left the game after three innings. Alexis Rivero (1-0) entered the game in the bottom of the fourth inning. He pitched two scoreless innings to earn his first AA win. Christina Marrero hit a RBI single off David Martinez in the top of the sixth to give Reading a 10-5 lead. Erie got a run off Mario Hollands in the bottom of the sixth to cut Reading's lead to 10-6.

The Fightin Phils and SeaWolves will play again at Jerry Uht Park on Saturday night. First pitch is at 7:05 pm. Fans can listen to the game on Sports Radio AM 1240/FM 98.5 and fightins.com beginning at 6:35 pm.

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Eastern League Stories from August 19, 2016


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