Manning, Bullpen Combine on One-Hit Shutout

The first place Erie SeaWolves completed a series sweep of the Reading Fightin Phils with a 1-0 shutout win on Thursday night at UPMC Park. Both Erie and Bowie were victorious on Thursday and so the SeaWolves lead in the Western Division remains at two games ahead of the Baysox.
Erie starting pitcher Matt Manning gave up a leadoff double to Luke Williams in the top of the first inning and it would be the only knock of the game for Reading. Manning would go on to retire the next 15 hitters he faced.
The SeaWolves took the lead in the bottom of the first against Reading starter Colton Eastman. Derek Hill led off the inning with a walk and stole second base. Hill advanced to third on an Isaac Paredes flyout to deep right and scored on a Jose Azocar base hit for the 1-0 advantage.
Eastman, along with lefty reliever Aaron Brown, limited the SeaWolves offense to just four hits over the final eight innings of the game
Erie's bullpen was stout for the second straight night against the Fightins. Ethan DeCaster went six-up, six-down in the sixth and seventh innings. He and Manning combined to set down 21 straight batters.
Reading threatened in the eighth against Nolan Blackwood. Josh Stephen led off and reached on an error but was erased at second when he was thrown out by the centerfielder Azocar on a fielder's choice off the bat of Nick Maton. Cornelius Randolph followed and reached on an error by replacement second baseman Jon Rosoff. Arquimedes Gamboa grounded into a 6-4 fielder's choice putting the tying run on third for Jack Conley. Blackwood struck out Conley to end the threat.
In the top of the ninth, Erie summoned Drew Carlton. Carlton retired the first two batters on a fly out to right and a fly out to left. Alec Bohn reached on an error to keep the game alive. Carlton then induced a flyout off the bat of Hall to end the game. Carlton earned his 16^th save in as many chances, preserving the one-hit shutout.
Manning (11-4) earned his fourth straight win tossing five scoreless. He allowed one hit with no walks and three strikeouts. It was the second straight start for Manning where he did not issue a walk.
Eastman (1-1) took the loss allowing a run on five hits with three walks and two strikeouts in six innings.
The sweep was the SeaWolves fifth of the season and first since they swept Akron July 15-17 at UPMC Park.
The SeaWolves continue the homestand on Friday night as they host the Akron RubberDucks (Cleveland Indians) at 7:05 p.m. LHP Joey Wentz (1-0, 2.70 ERA) takes the mound for Erie against RHP Eli Morgan (6-2, 3.42 ERA).
FRIDAY, AUGUST 16 - Gates open at 6 p.m. | First pitch at 7:05 p.m.
Pirates-Era Replica Jersey Giveaway: We throw it back to 1995 as the first 1,000 fans will receive a Pirates-era throwback home replica jersey (featuring the original team script across the front with powder blue pinstripes and worn by the team from 1995-98) thanks to UPMC.
Happy Hour: Fans can enjoy $3 specials on select domestic draft beers exclusively in the Bud Light Beer Garden until the game starts.
Pre-Game Autograph Session: Before the game, fans can meet C. Wolf and a SeaWolves player in the Team Store to get an autograph thanks to Plyler Entry Systems.
Fast Play Friday: Fans 18 & older can listen for the Fast Play Friday key word to text to win great prizes courtesy of the Pennsylvania Lottery.