Five-Run 10th secures split over Thunder

(Trenton, NJ) - The Reading Fightin Phils (89-52) scored five runs in the top of the 10th inning to take an 11-6 lead over the Trenton Thunder (87-55) on Monday afternoon. They held on to win to secure a series split and finish with the second best record in team history.  

The Fightin Phils scored four runs off Thunder starter Kyle Haynes in the top of the first. Dylan Cozens hit a RBI single to score Roman Quinn for the first run of the inning. Cozens set the new single-season total bases record with 304 on the single as he bypassed Darin Ruf (303). Rhys Hoskins hit a RBI double then Harold Martinez hit a two-run double. Mark Payton hit a sacrifice fly off Will Morris in the bottom of the second to cut Reading's lead to 4-1.

Morris left the game after three innings. He allowed one run off two hits and one walk with two strikeouts. Gregory Infante entered the game for the bottom of the fourth. He gave up a game-tying three-run home run to Dante Bichette Jr. Infante pitched just one inning before Alexis Rivero entered the game in the bottom of the fifth.

Miguel Andujar hit a home run off Rivero with two outs to give the Thunder a 5-4 lead. It was Andujar's second home run of the season. Haynes left the game with two outs in the top of the sixth for Trenton after giving up back-to-back singles to Harold Martinez and Aaron Brown. Matt Marsh entered the game to pitch in relief of Haynes. Angelo Mora and Roman Quinn hit back-to-back RBI singles to give Reading a 6-5 lead.

Jesen Therrien entred the game in the bottom of the seventh in relief of Rivero. Trenton tied the game at 6-6 in the bottom of the eighth as Francisco Diaz hit a one-out RBI single to score Dante Bichette Jr. Victor Arano (1-1) entered the game in the bottom of the ninth. He got out of a bases-loaded jam in the inning to send the game to extra innings.  

Dylan Cozens led off the top of the 10th with a solo home run off Cale Coshow (3-8) to give the Fightin Phils a 7-6 lead. It was his 40th home run of the season. Rhys Hoskins followed with a solo home run of his own off Coshow to extend the lead to 8-6. It was his 38th home run of the season. Jake Fox hit a single then was removed for pinch-runner KC Serna. Harold Martinez hit a two-run home run to give Reading a 10-6 lead. Coshow was removed from the game for Eric Ruth. Ruth got Angelo Mora to fly-out to centerfield then Roman Quinn hit a RBI double to give Reading an 11-6 lead. 

Joey DeNato finished out the game in the bottom of the 10th to secure the 11-6 win for the Fightins. They finish with the second best record in team history being affiliated with the Philadelphia Phillies. Dylan Cozens finishes the season with 40 home runs and 125 RBI while Rhys Hoskins finishes with 38 home runs and 116 RBI.    

The Fightin Phils will return to Arm & Hammer Park on Wednesday evening for the first game of the Eastern Division Championship Series against the Trenton Thunder. First pitch is at 7:00 pm. Fans can listen to the game on Sports Radio AM 1240/FM 98.5 and fightins.com beginning at 6:30 pm. 

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