EL1 Reading Fightin Phils

Rivero, R-Phils Walk-Off With 5-4 Win Monday

Published on July 25, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release


(Reading, PA) - After a one hour and 42 minute rain delay, the Reading Phillies and Altoona Curve were set to face each other in the opening game of their three-game series. Two hours and 51 minutes later, Carlos Rivero emerged as the hero.

Rivero drove home the game-winning run in the bottom of the ninth inning, and the R-Phils beat the Altoona Curve 5-4 in the opening game of their three-game series from FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading, PA on Monday.

A native of Venezuela, Rivero, 23, went 1-3 on the evening with three RBIs, but none more important than the one he had in the ninth inning to win the game. The talented third baseman was the sixth R-Phils player to bat in an exciting ninth inning.

Reading second baseman Fidel Hernandez led off the inning with a single, and Tim Kennelly followed with a game-tying RBI double - which gave Reading a chance to win their sixth game in seven tries against Altoona this season. Kennelly, who entered as part of a double-switch in the seventh inning proved to be key with his bat, and his legs.

Freddy Galvis then stepped to the plate, and with Kennelly on second base, flied out to center field for the first out of the inning. Things, however, would get very interesting after that.

Curve reliever Noah Krol, who started the ninth inning in place of Michael Dubee, hit the next two batters he faced (Michael Spidale and Matt Rizzotti), which loaded the bases for Rivero with just one out.

Rivero ripped the offering from Krol deep to left field for the second out of the inning, and Kennelly, who was on third base, sprinted home to score the game-winning run. It was a sacrifice fly RBIs for Rivero and it was his second three RBI night of the season.

In 22 games this month, Rivero is now hitting .371 with two home runs and 17 RBIs. He has raised his season average to .279 and is currently in the midst of a four-game hitting streak.

Krol (3-4, 5.02) allowed two runs on two hits in just 0.2 innings pitched and was charged with the loss. It also proved to be his fifth blown save of the season, as he entered the game with Altoona ahead of Reading 4-3.

Reading reliever Mike Cisco (6-0, 1.99) tossed a scoreless ninth inning to earn the victory. The South Carolina native walked one batter. Tyler Cloyd started for Reading and allowed three runs in six plus innings, and did not factor in the decision. The Nebraska native walked two batters and fanned three.

Altoona starter Kyle McPherson went five innings and allowed three runs on six hits.

The two teams will face each other on Tuesday in game two. Reading will send RHP Joe Esposito (3-2, 5.10) to the hill, while Altoona will hand the ball to RHP Aaron Pribanic (6-8, 4.30).

Brian Seltzer will have the call beginning at 6:35 p.m. for the R-Phils pre-game show on ESPN Radio 1240 AM WIOV and readingphillies.com. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

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Eastern League Stories from July 25, 2011


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