Hanzawa's Huge Night Helps Fightins to 5-4 Win

New Britain, Conn. - Fightin Phils shortstop Troy Hanzawa matched a single-game career-high with three hits and set a new career-high with four runs batted as Reading rallied for a 5-4 victory over the New Britain Rock Cats on Saturday night in front of 6,032 fans at New Britain Stadium.

Reading (61-79) found itself in an early deficit after Angel Morales hit a two-out, two-run homer to left in the bottom of the second inning to give New Britain a 2-0 lead.

The Fightins pulled even as Hanzawa drove in Sebastian Valle with a RBI single in the third inning, and then the 27-year-old reached on a fielder's choice and was credited with a RBI on a grounder to third that scored Anthony Hewitt to tie it 2-2 in the fifth.

The Rock Cats (65-75) went back in front in the bottom of the fifth inning as Eddie Rosario reached on an infield single, driving in Morales from third base to make it a 3-2 game.

Hanzawa took advantage with a pair of runners in scoring position and one out in the top of the seventh. The Hawaiian pulled a double just fair inside the third base bag that scored both runners and gave Reading its first lead, 4-3.

A one-out walk issued by Austin Wright in the bottom of the seventh led to the game-tying run as Miguel Sano tripled to left field to pull New Britain even, 4-4.

Hanzawa again came through for the Fightin Phils in the top of the ninth. He singled to center field with two outs to extend the inning for Edgar Duran who doubled to right, scoring Hanzawa to put Reading back in front 5-4.

Kyle Simon worked a perfect ninth inning to earn his 10th save as Tyler Knigge (4-3) earned the win in relief.

Matt Hauser (3-5) suffered the loss, giving up the go-ahead run in the ninth inning.

Bobby Bramhall turned in a quality start while taking a no-decision. The left-hander allowed three runs and seven hits in six innings, striking out four batters and walking two.

The Fightin Phils continue their final series of the season on Sunday night at 6:35 PM. Left-hander Mario Hollands (3-2) gets the start for Reading opposite former Major Leaguer Kyle Davies (3-0). Pre-game coverage begins at 6:05 PM on Oldies 1340 WRAW.