Sports stats

EL Reading Fightin Phils

Walk-off Walk Gives Reading Doubleheader Split

July 26, 2023 - Eastern League (EL)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release


(Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils split with the Binghamton Rumble Ponies in both games of Wednesday night's two-game slate. After Binghamton defeated Reading 5-3 in game one, the R-Phils bounced back to avoid a doubleheader sweep with a 2-1 victory over the Rumble Ponies.

Game One

Binghamton defeated Reading 5-3 in game one. The R-Phils carried a combined no-hitter through six innings, but an eighth inning rally from the Rumble Ponies helped Binghamton take the first game of the doubleheader.

After two delays and a suspension on Tuesday afternoon, the R-Phils and the Rumble Ponies left off in the bottom of the second inning on Wednesday evening. Reading starter Tyler Phillips pitched two innings on Tuesday without giving up a hit, striking out two batters and walking one. Phillips was one of five R-Phils pitchers who limited the Rumble Ponies to just three hits. However, Binghamton was able to capitalize on six total walks from Reading pitchers by putting up three runs in the eighth inning.

Righty reliever Adam Leverett was excellent for Reading when play resumed, pitching three innings of no-hit baseball in relief. Leverett struck out four Binghamton batters.

The R-Phils broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the third inning. Cam Cannon launched a leadoff solo home run to left field, his second home run of the season. Cannon's homer was the game's only hit through six innings of play.

R-Phils' Cristian Hernandez took over on the mound for Leverett in the top of the sixth inning, continuing Reading's pitching success in the sixth inning. Hernandez pitched two innings, striking out two batters and giving up one earned run.

The Rumble Ponies broke the R-Phils' combined no-hitter in the top of the seventh inning when Agustin Ruiz crushed a towering home run to right field to tie the game at one.

Reading retaliated in the bottom frame after a two-out single from Cannon, who reached second base on a throwing error. Madison Stokes followed with a walk and Carlos De La Cruz punched a line drive off the top of the left field fence to score Cannon.

Reading reliever Dominic Pipkin took over on the mound for Hernandez in the bottom of the eighth inning. Pipkin lasted one inning and gave up four earned runs on one hit.

Binghamton bounced back to tie the game in the eighth inning after back-to-back walks from Jaylen Palmer and Cesar Berbesi, then an RBI single to right field from Wyatt Young. Rowdey Jordan gave the Rumble Ponies their first lead of the night with a three-run home run to left-center field. Jordan's home run gave Binghamton a 5-2 lead.

Andrew Baker pitched the top of the ninth inning for Reading. Baker faced three batters and did not give up a hit.

The R-Phils did not quit in the bottom of the ninth inning. Cannon launched his second home run of the game, his third of the season, to pull Reading within two runs. Stokes followed with a walk and De La Cruz singled to put the tying run on base, but Matthew Kroon grounded out to end game one.

Reading's Pipkin fell to 0-2 with the loss. Dylan Tebrake was given the win for Binghamton, improving to 1-0 this season. Dedniel Núñez earned his second save of the season.

Game Two

After scoring a run on a wild pitch in the first inning, the Rumble Ponies' offense remained silent as Reading earned a 2-1 extra inning victory over Binghamton in game two of the doubleheader.

Rumble Ponies starting pitcher Dom Hamel was excellent, allowing three hits in seven innings. The starter fanned eleven Reading batters. Meanwhile, R-Phils starter Josh Hendrickson pitched five innings and gave up one run on no hits, despite walking five batters.

Binghamton got on the board early, scoring one run on no hits and four walks in the first inning off of R-Phils starter Josh Hendrickson. Young scored on a wild pitch from Hendrickson after reaching base on a walk.

Reading threatened Binghamton in the bottom frame when De La Cruz doubled to left field and Jhailyn Ortiz Walked, but the R-Phils could not tally a run to match the Rumble Ponies.

Matt Seelinger relieved Hendrickson in the top of the sixth inning. Seelinger pitched one inning and gave up Binghamton's first hit of the night. The reliever struck out one batter.

The R-Phils offense came alive in the bottom of the sixth inning. Cody Roberts started the inning with a double into the right-center gap. Stokes placed a sacrifice bunt down the third baseline, moving Roberts to third base to bring up the hot De La Cruz. De La Cruz followed by ripping his second double of the night, this time down the third baseline to bring a 1-1 tie.

Orion Kerkering pitched the seventh inning for Reading. Kerkering gave up two hits and struck out two batters, keeping a 1-1 tie heading into the bottom of the seventh inning.

Despite a one-out walk from Cannon, Hamel continued to shine for Binghamton. Hamel ended the threat to force extra innings.

Carlos Francisco took over in the eighth inning for the R-Phils, getting out of the inning without any harm. Francisco struck out one batter in the inning.

Roberts started the bottom of the eighth inning with a sacrifice bunt to move Martinez to third base. Stokes and De La Cruz were both intentionally walked to load the bases for Baron Radcliff, who struck out to bring up Ortiz. Ortiz worked a full count and drew a walk to walk things off for the R-Phils.

Francisco earned the win for Reading to improve to 2-1 this season, while Daison Acosta suffered the loss to fall to 2-2 on the year. Reading moves to 11-11 in the second half with the split and Binghamton slides to 8-14.

Game One Notes

Cam Cannon's two home run game was his first of his career

Cannon's two homers in one game marks the fifth time an R-Phil has accomplished the feat this season

The last time an R-Phil hit two home runs in a game was on July 14, 2023 against Portland, when Baron Radcliff crushed two home runs at FirstEnergy Stadium

Cannon scored all three runs for Reading. The last R-Phil to score three runs in a game was Madison Stokes on July 14, 2023 against Portland

The game was Cannon's sixth multi-hit game and his fourth multi-RBI game

Carlos De La Cruz's RBI in the seventh inning was his 48th of the year, which leads the R-Phils in RBI this season

Game Two Notes

Carlos De La Cruz's RBI double in the sixth inning was his 49th of the year, which leads the R-Phils in RBI this season

De La Cruz's two-double game was the first time he hit two doubles this season.

De La Cruz's 20 doubles now ranks second in doubles this season for the R-Phils behind Matthew Kroon's 22 doubles

The multi-hit game was De La Cruz's 27th multi-hit game of the season

The win was Reading's first extra-inning victory since June 9, 2023 against Binghamton

Reading and Binghamton return to the field Thursday night at 7 p.m. RHP Mick Abel is scheduled to pitch game two for Reading and RHP Tyler Stuart is slated to start the second game for Binghamton. Coverage is underway at 6:45 p.m. and can be listened to at rphils.com/radio. A video stream is also available on MiLB TV or the Bally Live App.

Thursday, and Friday feature postgame fireworks and Friday also includes an appearance from Wrestling Hall of Famer Charles Wright. Saturday is Star Wars Night and postgame will feature Carpenter MEGA Blast Fireworks, the largest fireworks show in stadium history. On Sunday, the first 1,500 kids will receive an Aaron Nola Bobble Head. Tickets to all games are still available, but going fast and can be purchased at rphils.com.com/tickets, by calling 610-370-BALL, or in-person at the Customers Bank Ticket Office.

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.

Check out the Reading Fightin Phils Statistics



Eastern League Stories from July 26, 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.

Other Recent Reading Fightin Phils Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central