EL Reading Fightin Phils

Reading Rolls Thanks to Ten Run Fourth

Published on June 13, 2023 under Eastern League (EL)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release


(Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils beat the Hartford Yard Goats 14-2 on Tuesday night in the first of a six-game series, a game where each R-Phils starter reached base.

The bats came alive for Reading, scoring a season-high 10 runs in the fourth inning and tallying 16 total hits in the game. R-Phils starting pitcher Victor Vargas also pitched well. The righty did not give up a hit until the top of the fourth inning, finishing with three hits given up and no earned runs in six innings pitched.

Reading started the scoring in the bottom of the second inning thanks to a two-run home run by Ethan Wilson. He drove him Matthew Kroon from second base, who reached base on a walk and advanced to second base on a passed ball.

In the top of the fourth inning, Hartford got on the board after back-to-back singles from Braxton Fulford and Drew Romo. Fulford scored on a passed ball with two outs in the inning to make it a one-run ballgame.

Reading retaliated in the bottom half of the fourth inning, recording nine hits and two walks. Ten R-Phils crossed the plate in the inning, scoring the most runs in an inning since April 17, 2012 at Richmond. The frame was highlighted by a leadoff home run by Kroon for his fourth home run of the season. Johan Rojas also added a two-run single for Reading and Kroon later doubled to add two more runs for the R-Phils. Wilson added another home run, his tenth of the season, which is second on the Fightin Phils. Reading led Hartford 12-1 after the high-scoring inning.

Adam Leverett came in to relieve Vargas in the seventh inning, giving up two hits and an unearned run.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Nick Podkul and De La Cruz both hit solo home runs for the R-Phils to give Reading a 14-1 lead. The home run was Podkul's seventh of the season and De La Cruz's team-leading No. 12.

Hartford added their second run in the top of the seventh inning on a Kroon error to make a dent in Reading's 12-run lead.

Max Kuhns did not give up a run in the eighth inning for Reading, despite giving up one hit and one run.

Tyler McKay came in to pitch the ninth inning for the R-Phils, solidifying Reading's first victory of the series.

The win went to Reading's Victor Vargas, who earns his first decision in Reading to improve to 1-0. Last year's No. 10 draft pick of the Rockies Gabriel Hughes suffered the loss for Hartford to fall to 4-4. With the victory, Reading improves 22-35 on the season, while Hartford falls to 24-33 after also dropping five-of-six games last week to Somerset.

Notes:

14 runs matches a season-high in runs for a game, last time it happened was May 6 at Hartford

Vargas pitched a season-high six innings

Wilson is the second R-Phil this season to have two home runs in an inning since Rojas did it on May 28

De La Cruz has now reached base safely in 28-consecutive games.

First time winning a game by 10+ runs since September 9, 2022 vs New Hampshire

Reading and Hartford return to action Wednesday night at 7 p.m. RHP Tyler Phillips is set to get the start for Reading, opposite Hartford's RHP Case Williams. Pregame coverage is underway at 6:45 p.m. and can be listened to at rphils.com/radio. Video streaming is also available on MiLB TV or the Bally Live App.

Wednesday the R-Phils will wear special Military Appreciation jerseys and Thursday Is the first of three-straight fireworks shows. For next weekend, Friday includes fireworks, Saturday includes appearances from Penn State's Nicholas Singleton, J'Ven Williams and Joey Schlaffer and Carpenter MEGA Blast Fireworks, the largest in stadium history. Finally, next Sunday the first 2,000 men 18 and older will receive an R-Phils No. 1 Dad Bucket Hat.

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 June 13, 2023


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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