Big Eighth Inning Sends Erie to a Series Win
The SeaWolves (4-2) used a huge eighth inning as they came from behind to take down the Reading Fightin Phils (2-4) on Sunday afternoon at First Energy Stadium. Erie starter Paul Richan made his second start of the 2021 campaign and was impressive in a no-decision effort. He hurled four
The SeaWolves (4-2) used a huge eighth inning as they came from behind to take down the Reading Fightin Phils (2-4) on Sunday afternoon at First Energy Stadium.
Erie starter Paul Richan made his second start of the 2021 campaign and was impressive in a no-decision effort. He hurled four scoreless innings allowing one hit with no walks and two strikeouts. Richan retired the final 11 batters he faced in the game.
Reading struck first in the sixth against reliever Joe Navilon. Colby Fitch led off and connected on a solo home run for a 1-0 lead. Navilhon finished the day with a season-high five strikeouts in two innings work.
The SeaWolves took the lead in the eighth against Reading reliever Austin Ross. Jacob Robson led off with a double and scored on a Drew Ward base hit. Josh Lester then singled putting runners on the corners for Yariel Gonzalez. Gonzalez lifted a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Ward for a 2-1 lead. Kerry Carpenter followed with a base hit and Jon Rosoff walked, loading the bases. John Valente hit into a fielder’s choice, scoring Lester for a 3-1 lead. Riley Greene singled home Carpenter for a 4-1 advantage. Reading summoned Mark Potter from the pen and he promptly hit Ryan Kreidler to re-load the bases. Robson came up with his second double of the inning to clear the bases for a 7-1 lead.
Erie reliever Henry Martinez hurled a scoreless seventh but struggled coming back out for the eighth. Matt Kroon led off with a single and scored on a Fitch three-bagger. Fitch scored on a one out Arquimedes Gamboa groundout, cutting the Erie lead down to four runs. McCarthy Tatum walked and Matt Vierling followed with a two-run home run making it a 7-5 game. Angel DeJesus entered for the ‘Wolves and retired the final out of the inning.
DeJesus worked the bottom of the ninth and gave up a leadoff single before retiring the side in order, earning his first save of the season.
Martinez (1-0) earned the win allowing four runs on three hits with a walk and a strikeout in 1.2 innings.
Ross (0-1) took the loss allowing six runs on five hits with a walk and one inning.