Fightin Phils Comeback in Ninth, Beat SeaWolves 5-4 on Walk-Off Wild Pitch

BOX SCORE

(Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils (18-29) defeated the Erie SeaWolves (32-17) 5-4 Friday, coming back from a 4-3 deficit in the ninth to win on a walk-off wild pitch. The win ties the series at 2-2.

Of the nine starters in the Fightin Phils lineup, only Seth Beer and Alex Binelas didn’t record a hit. In the bottom of the ninth, Richard Guasch (L, 0-1) couldn’t locate through the rain, letting the first three batters on to set the stage for Phillies No. 2 prospect Aidan Miller. Though, the star prospect struck out as Guasch blew a fastball by him with the tying run 90 feet away.

Hendry Mendez belted a ball down the right field line, where Erie right fielder Justice Bigbie caught the ball in foul territory, but allowed Cade Fergus to score on a sacrifice fly. On the first pitch to Keaton Anthony, the ball trickled by catcher Thayron Liranzo. Pinch runner Luis Verdugo came racing home, scoring the winning run to secure the comeback victory.

Before the ninth-inning bedlam, the most excitement came in the third inning. Miller’s 11-game on-base streak was snapped in the series opener Tuesday. He started a new one in Thursday’s doubleheader, recording a hit and walk in game one and two hits in game two. In his first at-bat Friday, he lofted a lazy fly ball to left field. Though, two innings later, Miller extended his streak to three with some early fireworks.

As Robert Moore reached base on a walk to lead off the top of the third, SeaWolves pitcher Jaden Hamm lost control and nearly hit Miller on an up-and-in fastball. The next pitch landed outside of FirstEnergy Stadium. Miller blasted a 2-1 pitch 114.15 mph over the left field stands, taking a second to admire his swing and flipping a 2-1 deficit into a 3-2 lead just as he flipped his bat into the air. The long ball made up for a slow start.

Reading starter Luke Russo has been extremely effective between his tenures in Jersey Shore (High-A+) and now with the Fightin Phils, combining for an impressive .167 batting average against (BAA) in May. He began the night with two strikeouts but the SeaWolves put together a two-out rally to grab the first lead with a double down the right field line and an RBI single from Tigers No. 5 prospect Thayron Liranzo.

The Fightin Phils quickly answered as Moore and Hendry Mendez each ripped singles to right field before an Anthony fielder’s choice plated Moore. Russo, however, failed to find his way again, allowing the bottom of Erie’s order to get on and leadoff hitter Trei Cruz to score Roberto Campos on a single to reclaim the lead.

After Miller’s home run, Reading only held its lead momentarily. Campos walked and then came all the way around from first to score on a bloop single to center field, which was bobbled by Cade Fergus. The SeaWolves took a 4-3 lead minutes later when Russo’s wild pitch allowed Eduardo Valencia to trot home.

Tommy McCollum entered out of the bullpen for Russo in the sixth, as Russo finished with three earned runs and five strikeouts, his most with Reading thus far. McCollum worked around an error from Moore, the Fightin Phils third of the game, to keep the deficit at one.

Reading’s pitching was stellar after Russo settled in, allowing just one hit from the third through the ninth inning. Travis Kuhn (W, 5-1) entered in the eighth and was backed up by nifty diving catches from Miller at shortstop and then Felix Reyes in right field. Kuhn stayed on in the ninth and as the rain poured down he found just enough command to blank Erie again.

The Fightin Phils then stormed back in the bottom half of the ninth, finishing on top. It marked the fourth time this season Reading won a game when trailing entering the ninth inning, after winning on just once such instance in 2024.

The Fightin Phils return to the field on Saturday at 6:45 p.m. against the Erie SeaWolves. RHP Jean Cabrera will be on the mound for Reading, and he will go opposite LHP Carlos Pena for Erie. Pregame coverage is underway at 6:30 p.m. on the Reading Fightin Phils Radio Network. A video stream is available via MiLB TV or the Bally Live App.

Saturday night is the first Carpenter MEGA Blast Fireworks show of the season, sponsored by Countryside, and the Fightin Phils will wear Special Toy Story jerseys. The series ends Sunday with a Nick Singleton Hometown Hero Bobblehead for the first 2,000 kids, thanks to Klee Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Tickets are available at rphils.com/tickets, by calling 610-370-BALL or at the Customers Bank Ticket Office.

The 2025 R-Phils season is presented by Pepsi. Follow the Fightin Phils on Twitter @ReadingFightins, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Instagram @Fightins.