Hyatt Gets the Nod in Important Game Sunday
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.
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Fri. Sept. 9th, 7:05
- R-Phils Harley Game Cap (A2500, 18+) presented by Classic Harley- Davidson
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Sat. Sept. 10th, 7:05
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