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Hyatt Gets the Nod in Important Game Sunday

September 4, 2011
New Page 2

1. Current Standings

EAS Eastern
W L PCT GB *ELIM # Home Away L 10
New Hampshire 75 65 .536 - - 39-31 36-34 4-6
Reading 72 68 .514 3.0 - 36-36 36-32 5-5
New Britain 71 69 .507 4.0 2 34-36 37-33 6-4

2. Saturday:

The R-Phils scored two runs in the top of the sixth inning, their bullpen combined to toss six scoreless innings, and the club went on to beat the Binghamton Mets 6-5 on Saturday in game two of their four-game series from NYSEG Stadium in Binghamton, NY on Saturday.

The win proved to be very important for Reading, as it gave them a one game lead over New Britain for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Division.

New Britain, who hosted a doubleheader against Trenton on Saturday, won game one to move into a tie with Reading, but dropped the second game -- falling one full game back of Reading in the standings, with just two games left to play.

With a win by the R-Phils on Sunday, and a loss by New Britain on Sunday, Reading would automatically clinch a playoff spot, and move on to face first-place New Hampshire beginning on Wednesday, September 7 in Manchester, NH.

The Fisher Cats clinched the Eastern Division with an 11-0 win over Portland on Saturday. With New Hampshire gaining the top spot, they would host the first-round of the playoffs, and have game one (Wednesday, September, 7), game two (Thursday, September 8), and if necessary, game three (Sunday, September 11) in New Hampshire.

If Reading does hold on and take the final playoff spot, they would host game three (Friday, September 9), and if necessary, game four (Saturday, September 10) at FirstEnergy Stadium. Reading would host a playoff game for the first time since 2009.

3. Sunday:

- Portland hosts New Hampshire -- 1:00 p.m.
- New Britain hosts Trenton -- 1:35 p.m.
- Binghamton hosts Reading -- 6:35 p.m.

Taking the mound for Reading will be RHP Austin Hyatt (12-6, 3.77). On the hill for Binghamton will be RHP Matt Harvey (5-3, 4.29).

Hyatt, 25, enters play on Sunday with 12 wins -- tops in the Eastern League, and will look to add onto his total -- which is a career-high. The Georgia native also has a chance to take the Eastern League strikeouts' crown, needing just one strikeout to pass Eric Surkamp, who was with Richmond, but is now currently with San Francisco (Major League). Both pitchers are tied with 165 -- a career-high for Hyatt.

Coverage begins at 6:05 p.m. on ESPN Radio 1240 AM WIOV and readingphillies.com with the R-Phils pre-game show will follow and Brian Seltzer will have the call for all of the action. First pitch is set for 6:35 p.m.

Follow the R-Phils! Get your 2011 Playoff tickets today!

Fri. Sept. 9th, 7:05
- R-Phils Harley Game Cap (A2500, 18+) – presented by Classic Harley- Davidson

- Harley Game Worn Jersey Auction/ Raffle – MDA

Sat. Sept. 10th, 7:05
- Fireworks – presented by Classic Harley-Davidson