Eight Is Great: 'Cats Win In Reading

Reading, PA - The New Hampshire Fisher Cats fell behind early but erupted for eight unanswered runs to beat the Reading Fightin' Phils 8-2 on Wednesday at FirstEnergy Stadium to secure a win in the season series against the Philadelphia Phillies' Double-A affiliate.
For the third consecutive game, Reading scored first. The Fightin' Phils plated a pair in the second on a bases loaded walk and an RBI single by Derek Campbell to lead 2-0 after two.
New Hampshire got a run back in the top of the fourth thanks to back-to-back errors by the shortstop that put runners at the corners with one out, which set up a Tim Lopes sacrifice fly to make it 2-1 after four frames.
The 'Cats tied it in the fifth. Gunnar Heidt led off with a double then moved to third on a bunt single from Jonathan Davis. Heidt came home on a fielder's choice to tie the score at 2-2 through five.

A five-run seventh proved to be the difference in the game. New Hampshire sent nine men to the plate and scored five runs on two hits - including RBI doubles from Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Lopes - with three walks and an error to help the cause.
A bases-loaded walk forced in the eighth run of the game for the 'Cats as they went on to win 8-2.
Kender Villegas got the win in relief. Jose Fernandez and Andrew Case turned in scoreless performances to keep New Hampshire in front.
Gurriel, Heidt and Harold Ramirez each had two hits in the game and Lopes drove in three runs.
Fisher Cats starter Conner Greene went 4.2 innings and allowed two runs on six hits, walked three and struck out four.
The series concludes Thursday night in Reading. RHP Francisco Rios (3-9, 4.26 ERA) will start for the Fisher Cats while RHP Franklyn Kilomé (1-2, 2.42 ERA) is set to go for the Fightin' Phils. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. and can be heard locally on AM 610 WGIR or online via iHeartRadio or the MiLB First Pitch app.