Chris Bec Hits First Homer in 7-6 Loss to Reading

*Manchester, NH *- A two-run homer from Chris Bec brought the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Blue Jays Double-A affiliate) within one run in the ninth, but the Reading Fightin' Phils (Philadelphia Phillies) hung on for a 7-6 win on Wednesday night at Delta Dental Stadium.

The Fisher Cats took an early 4-1 lead with a four-run rally in the third. With the bases empty and two outs, Austin Martin drew a walk and moved to second on an Otto Lopez base hit. Jordan Groshans singled home Martin to tie the game at 1-1, and Chavez Young scored Lopez with a base hit to center. Vinny Capra delivered a two-run double down the left field line to extend the lead to 4-1.

From there, Reading pitchers held New Hampshire without a hit until Bec's two-run blast in the ninth. The Phils scored six unanswered runs in the meantime, including a solo home run from Josh Stephen, RBI doubles from Bryson Stott and Madison Stokes, and a go-ahead homer from Stott. Grenny Cumana and Arquimedes Gamboa produced run-scoring hits in the ninth to provide a 7-4 cushion heading into the final frame.

Fisher Cats starter Reilly Hovis (5 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 5 K) left the game in line for the win, but the Phils bullpen out-dueled New Hampshire's, with Nick Lackney (W, 2-0) and Kyle Dohy (S, 1) handling the final nine outs.

Lopez and Young each finished 2-for-4 with a run scored, while Bec added a single to his long ball to record a 2-for-4 night of his own.

The series continues on Thursday at 7:05 p.m. at Delta Dental Stadium. Coverage of the game can be heard on the WGIR Fisher Cats Radio Network. For media requests, please email Tyler Murray at [email protected].

Homestand highlights for the rest of the six-game set at Delta Dental Stadium include Atlas Fireworks presented by Hyundai as part of Space Night tomorrow, Christmas in July with an ornament giveaway from Northeast Delta Dental for the first 500 fans on Friday, Atlas Fireworks thanks to the Executive Health and Sports Center on Saturday, and Dasani presents Blue's Clues & You! Day on Sunday, with Kids Run the Bases after the game thanks to the New Hampshire State Liquor Commission, Division of Enforcement.