Al Pedrique Earns First Win as R-Phils Manager

BOX SCORE

(Reading, PA) – Carlos De La Cruz homered for the second-straight night to lead the Reading Fightin Phils to a 4-2 win over the Hartford Yard Goats on Thursday night.

It was the R-Phils first win of the season after starting 0-5, and also the first managerial win with Reading for Al Perique.

After a scoreless first three innings, Hartford struck first with a run in the top of the fourth from Warming Bernabel, but Reading quickly responded with De La Cruz’s second home run of the season, a two-run shot, to put Reading up 4-2.

The Yard Goats evened up the game at two in the top of the sixth inning after a homerun from Hunter Goodman, but Reading re-took the lead in the bottom of the frame as Cam Cannon drove home Matthew Kroon, who reached via a double.

Reading would tack on an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth inning thanks to an RBI single from Kroon, which knocked in McCarthy Tatum, who hit one of his two doubles tonight to get on base.

Max Kuhns came into the game in the ninth and picked up his first save of the season to give the R-Phils a 4-2 victory. Kuhns struck out one in his lone inning of work. Zach Linginfelter, Brett Schulze, who got the win, and Taylor Lehman combined to hold Hartford to just one run in five combined innings of work out of the bullpen. Mick Abel got the start for Reading and went four innings, giving up one run and three hits, while striking out four Yard Goats.

For Hartford, Case Williams suffered the loss to drop to 0-2 on the season. He went 5.2 innings pitched, allowing six hits and three-earned runs, while striking out three hitters.

With the win, Reading moves to 1-5 on the season, while Hartford drops back to .500 at 3-3. The two teams are back in action tomorrow night at 6:45 p.m. Tickets are still available and can be purchased online at rphils.com/tickets, by calling 610-370-BALL or in person at the Customers Bank Ticket Office.

The 2023 R-Phils season is presented by Pepsi. Follow the Fightin Phils on Twitter @ReadingFightins, like us on Facebook or follow us on Instagram @Fightins.