EL1 Reading Fightin Phils

Zambrano's Night Helps Fightins Split Doubleheader

Published on June 9, 2013 under Eastern League (EL1)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release


READING, Pa.---Behind the arm of former big leaguer Carlos Zambrano, the Reading Fightin Phils defeated the Harrisburg Senators, 2-1, in Game Two to split Saturday night's doubleheader at FirstEnergy Stadium. In Game One, fans were treated to a pitcher's duel as Taylor Jordan and Harrisburg edged Jesse Biddle and Reading, 1-0.

GAME ONE

Over the first six innings of Game One, Biddle and Jordan each struck out six batters in a game that seemed like no one would score. Biddle was the first to budge, giving up a solo shot to Sandy Leon in the seventh inning for the decisive and lone run of the game.

While he gave up the home run, Biddle went on to throw his second complete game of the season. In seven innings, the top Philadelphia Phillies prospect struck out seven Senators batters and dealt three walks and four hits as he lowered his ERA to 3.03. He encountered trouble in the first inning after the Senators singled twice off the starter, but he found his groove and allowed just two hits over the final six frames.

Harrisburg's Taylor Jordan continued his resurgence since undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2011. Jordan also threw a complete game, shutting out the Fightins by allowing only four hits and zero walks. The Senators starter saw his season ERA drop to 0.84 through six starts this season.

Reading came close to scoring in the bottom of the sixth after Biddle reached base on a throwing error by Jimmy Van Ostrand. He advanced all the way to third after an Albert Cartwright sacrifice bunt and an Edgar Duran single, but he was stranded when Tyler Henson grounded into a double play.

GAME TWO

Zambrano got the call in Game Two for the Fightins as he made his first start for the club. The 11-year major league veteran continued to impress with another successful outing on his journey back to the majors.

The right-handed pitcher went six innings and allowed three hits while striking out seven to pick up his second win since being signed by Philadelphia on May 15. Zambrano gave up just one run, his only run between Clearwater (A+) and Reading, on a solo blast by Jimmy Van Ostrand in the second inning. In his longest outing of the season, Zambrano hurled 97 pitches, 57 of which were strikes.

Reading's offense answered in the fourth inning after Jim Murphy doubled to lead off the inning. Anthony Hewitt ripped the team's second double of the frame to even the game at one run apiece. Reading pulled ahead when Hewitt scored the conclusive run on Derrick Mitchell's two-out triple to deep center field.

Hewitt finished the night by going 2-for-3. In his past ten games, the outfielder is batting .310 (9-for-29) with two home runs, five RBIs, and four runs scored.

Tyler Knigge came on in the seventh and struck out one in a perfect inning to preserve the lead and pick up first save of the season.

RHP David Buchanan (2-6, 4.67 ERA) starts for Reading on Sunday afternoon against Harrisburg's RHP Robert Gilliam (1-1, 5.65 ERA). Tune into Oldies 1340 WRAW-AM or MiLB.TV for the game broadcast with Fightins play-by-play announcer Anthony Oppermann starting at 1:05 p.m.

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Eastern League Stories from June 9, 2013


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