MANCHESTER, NH - Justin Jackson tripled home a pair of runs for the Fisher Cats in the second inning on Wednesday night, but that base hit constituted the bulk of their offense in a 3-2 loss to the Reading Phillies (17-8).  The loss evens the Fisher Cats (11-14) record at 3-3 on their seven-game homestand heading into the finale on Thursday morning.
 
Jackson's big hit came with two outs in the bottom of the second against starter Julio Rodriguez (W; 2-0).  A walk and an error were followed by a pair of strikeouts to bring Jackson to the plate.  The outfielder laced a hanging breaking ball to the gap in left center, plating Brad Glenn and John Tolisano for an early 2-0 lead.
 
However, much like the action in the series opener, Reading bounced back with a pair of runs against starter Ryan Tepera (ND) to tie the game at 2-2 in the third.  Two innings later, the Phillies took the lead for good with a two-out double by Steve Susdorf off of reliever Matt Wright (L; 0-1).
 
Tepera pitched just three innings for his shortest start of the season.  He allowed two runs on five hits and three walks.  Wright took his first loss of the year giving up an unearned run over his two innings.
 
The Fisher Cats missed their best opportunity in the sixth inning, loading the bases to knock Rodriguez out of the game.  Reliever Tyson Brummett quickly quelled that rally by retiring the next three batters in order to preserve a 3-2 Reading lead.
 
Jackson finished the game 1-4, recording one of the Fisher Cats 6 hits as a club.  A.J. Jimenez added a double for the Fisher Cats only other extra-base hit.  Tolisano reached base with a single and a walk to extend his on-base streak to 15 games.
 
The series and the homestand come to an end on Thursday morning with EnergyNorth Propane Educational Day at 10:35 AM.  Tickets are available by visiting the Northeast Delta Dental Stadium box office, calling 603-641-2005, or by visiting www.nhfishercats.com.
 
The pitching match-up on Thursday features RHP Casey Lawrence (0-1, 7.36) against Reading RHP Jonathan Pettibone (1-3, 4.33).  You can follow the action with Tom Gauthier and Bob Lipman beginning at 10:15 AM on the WGIR Fisher Cats Radio Network and www.nhfishercats.com.