Reading Goes Yard To Nip Yard Goats
READING- Jesmuel Valentin's solo home run to right center field in the top of the 10th inning lifted the Reading Fightin' Phils to a 5-4 win over the Hartford Yard Goats Wednesday night in Reading. Once again Hartford was the home team. The victory was Reading's (47-19) ninth straight.
Valentin, the son of former major league player Jose Valentin, spoiled a Hartford ninth inning comeback. Down to their last strike, the Yard Goats collected three straight singles, the last by Michael Benjamin to tie the game 4-4. Benjamin's dad Mike Benjamin also was a major league player.
Hartford took an early 3-0 lead on David Dahl's 12th home run in the third inning, a three-run shot to right center. After Reading battled back with three runs in the sixth, pinch hitter Harold Martinez homered in the seventh to give the Fightin' Phils a 4-3 lead.
Dillon Thomas led the Hartford attack with three hits. Benjamin added two hits and an RBI.
Hartford will try to salvage the finale of the three-game set Thursday afternoon at 1:05 PM. LHP Sam Howard will make his second start for the Yard Goats. The game will be broadcast on News Radio 1410, WPOP.