Two homeruns late not enough for comeback

The Fightin Phils (19-18) fought hard in the bottom of the ninth to come back but ultimately fell short as the Fisher Cats (20-19) won 6-4 on Tuesday night. Ben Lively earned his first loss as a member of the Fightin Phils.  

The Fisher Cats scored two runs off Lively in the top of the third inning to take a 2-0 lead. Jorge Flores hit a RBI single while Dwight Smith grounded into a fielder's choice to bring in a run. Kevin Nolan hit a home run off Lively in the top of the fourth inning to extend the lead to 3-0.

Gustavo Pierre got the Fightin Phils on the board in the bottom of the fifth inning as he hit a home run off Fisher Cats starter Taylor Cole to cut their lead to 3-1. The home run for Pierre was his third of the season.

Ben Lively (3-1) returned after completing eight innings and recorded one out before leaving the game with two runners on base. Stephen Shackleford entered the game to finish out the inning. He gave up a RBI single and a two-run single as the Fisher Cats took a 6-1 lead.

Reading fought back in the bottom of the ninth inning as Roman Quinn hit a two-run home run then Brock Stassi hit a solo home run off reliever Blake McFarland to cut the Fisher Cats lead to 6-4. Aaron Altherr flew out to centerfield to end the game.  

The Fightin Phils wrap up their series with New Hampshire Fisher Cats on Wednesday morning. First pitch is at 11:35 am. Fans can listen to the game on CBS Sports Radio 1240 AM/98-5 FM and fightins.com beginning at 11:05 am. Fans can also view the game on MiLB.tv beginning at 11:35 am.  

Tickets for the 2015 season are available online at Fightins.com, by phone at 610-370-BALL, and in-person at FirstEnergy Stadium.