Fightins avoid sweep as they top Squirrels

(Reading, Pa) - Mark Leiter Jr. (6-2) struck out a season-high eight batters as he lead the Fightin Phils (79-43) to a 6-3 win over the Flying Squirrels (52-71). Reading recorded 12 hits at the plate as every Fightin reached base at least once.  

Reading jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second. Jake Fox and Gabriel Lino hit RBI doubles off Flying Squirrels starting pitcher Andrew Suarez (6-7). Richmond got a run off Leiter Jr. in the top of the fourth as Ryder Jones hit a RBI single to cut Reading's lead to 2-1.  

The Fightins scored two more runs off Suarez in the bottom of the fifth to take a 4-1 lead. Scott Kingery and Dylan Cozens both hit a sacrifice fly. Cozens recorded his 108th RBI, which leads all of minor league baseball. Reading added another run off Suarez as Roman Quinn hit a bunt single to score KC Serna and extend their lead to 5-1.

Richmond got a run off Mario Hollands in the top of the seventh to cut Reading's lead to 5-2. Christian Arroyo hit a two-out RBI single that scored Tyler Horan. Steve Lerud was thrown out at home plate by left-fielder Andrew Pullin for the final out of the inning.

Christian Marrero scored Reading's sixth run in the bottom of the eighth as Flying Squirrels first-baseman Chris Shaw committed a fielding error.  Miguel Nunez entered the game in the top of the ninth. Cole hit a RBI single off Nunez to make it a three-run game. Jimmy Cordero entered the game with runners on first and second with one out. He received his first save of the season has he retired the final two batters to close out the game.          

The Fightin Phils will begin a seven-game road-trip in six days on Friday night as they head to Jerry Uht Park to play the Erie SeaWolves. Fans can listen to the game on Sports Radio AM 1240/FM 98.5 and fightins.com beginning at 4:05 pm. 

2016 playoff tickets are available online at Fightins.com, by phone at 610-370-BALL, and in-person at FirstEnergy Stadium.