EL1 Reading Fightin Phils

Rock Cats Sneak Past R-Phils 2-1 Saturday

Published on June 18, 2011 under Eastern League (EL1)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release


(Reading, PA) -- Cuban native Dennis Suarez tossed six shutout innings, Evan Bigley launched a solo home run, and the New Britain Rock Cats snuck past the R-Phils 2-1 on Saturday evening in game two of their three-game series.

Suarez (1-1, 2.12) was solid in just his third professional start. The 27-year-old, who defected from Cuba in 2009, allowed just four hits and one walk, while striking out four batters. He's now allowed just one earned run over his last two starts (13 innings pitched). The Rock Cats have now won two straight games.

New Britain (36-30) scored their first run of the game in the top of the fourth inning off Reading starter Tyler Cloyd (0-1, 2.50). Cloyd, who was making his third start of the season, allowed a two-out, solo home run to Bigley, which gave the Rock Cats the early 1-0 lead. It was Bigley's fifth home run of the season.

One inning later, with Cloyd still on the hill, the Rock Cats added another run, courtesy of a Chris Herrmann RBI double. The two runs for New Britain would be all they would need.

In the ninth, Reading first baseman Matt Rizzotti launched a solo home run over the right field wall, to put Reading on the board. Even with the late inning rally, however, Reading still came up short, falling by a score of 2-1. The home run was Rizzotti's 12th of the season.

Philadelphia Phillies catcher Brian Schneider, who is recovering from a strained left hamstring, was the R-Phils designated hitter on Saturday. The 34-year-old, who played his second straight game in Reading, went 2-4 with a double on the evening. He is scheduled to continue his rehab on Sunday.

The two teams will battle on Sunday in the finale of their three-game series. RHP Austin Hyatt (6-4, 4.35) gets the nod for Reading. Taking the mound for New Britain will be RHP Steve Hirschfeld (4-4, 2.54).

Coverage begins at 12:35 p.m. on ESPN Radio 1240 AM WIOV and readingphillies.com. Brian Seltzer will have the call for all of the action. First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m.

Check out the Reading Fightin Phils Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Eastern League Stories from June 18, 2011


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.

OurSports Central