Two runs in 8th stall Fightins comeback

The Reading Fightin Phils (82-45) were slowed down by the Akron RubberDucks (66-60) on Monday night as they lost 5-2. Reading's magic number to clinch a playoff-spot is four with Hartford losing to Binghamton 6-3.  

Akron jumped out to a 1-0 lead against Tyler Viza (4-5) in the bottom of the first. Jordan Smith hit a RBI single to score Greg Allen who began the inning with a single. Smith hit a two-run single off Viza in the bottom of the second to extend Akron's lead to 3-0. Mitch Walding blasted a solo home run off D.J. Brown (8-6) in the top of the third to cut the RubberDucks lead to 3-1. It was Walding's third home run of the season. 

Viza left the game after six innings. He allowed three runs off eight hits with two walks and five strikeouts.  Alexis Rivero entered the game in the bottom of the seventh. Christian Marrero hit a RBI single off Nick Maronde in the top of the eighth to cut Akron's lead to 3-2. The run was charged to Brown who left the game with runners on first and second with one out.  

Akron scored two runs off Rivero in the bottom of the eighth to take a 5-2 lead. KC Serna committed an error to allow Joe Sever to reach. Eric Stamets hit a RBI double then Greg Allen hit a RBI triple to score Todd Hankins.

Maronde struck out Dylan Cozens in the top of the ninth. Louis Head entered the game and struck out Rhys Hoskins and Jake Fox to close out the game.    

The Fightin Phils and the Akron RubberDucks play again on Tuesday night from Canal Park. First pitch is at 7:05 pm. Fans can listen to the game on Sports Radio AM 1240/FM 98.5 and fightins.com beginning at 6:35 pm. 

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