Fightins Rally Falls Short, Squirrels Prevail 6-5

BOX SCORE

(Richmond, VA) - The Reading Fightin Phils (50-53, 20-14) saw their valiant comeback effort fall short, as the Richmond Flying Squirrels (61-40, 18-15) took a 6-5 win at Carmax Park on Wednesday night.

Richmond got on the scoreboard first, posting a three-spot in the second inning. Charlie Szykowny (12) smacked a solo home run to the opposite field, as the left-handed hitter hit a line drive over the left field wall. The Flying Squirrels then loaded the bases for Jean Carlos Sio, who hit a two-run single to right field to score both Maui Ahuna and Sabin Ceballos.

Reading answered in the fifth inning, as Carson DeMartini (Phillies No. 16 prospect) singled for his first hit since returning from injury. The Virginia Tech alum then stole second base before Raider Tello ripped a line drive single to right field, scoring DeMartini. This made the score 3-1.

The Fightin Phils threatened again in the eighth inning, as Bryan Rincon (Phillies No. 14 prospect) worked a lead-off walk. Pedro León and Raylin Heredia (Phillies No. 28 prospect) then stacked back-to-back singles before Rincon trotted home on a wild pitch to make the game 3-2.

Alex Binelas, the Eastern League home runs leader, walked to load the bases with nobody out. Richmond reliever Tyler Vogel entered the game, and he retired the next three in order to get out of the jam and preserve the lead.

The San Francisco Giants’ Double-A affiliate answered in the bottom half of the inning, tacking on three insurance runs that would prove important later on.

Jancel Villarroel (1) hit his first homer of the year with Richmond on a solo shot to center field. With more traffic on the bases, Jack Payton swatted an RBI single, scoring Szykowny. Sio then grounded into a 4-6 fielder’s choice, but he prevented the double play by hustling down the line and scored Ceballos in the process. This bolstered the Squirrels’ lead to 6-2.

The Fightins lived up to their name in the ninth inning, finding themselves down to their final strike on multiple occasions. With two outs, León fisted a single to left-center field, plating Rincon to trim into the lead. Heredia (18), down to his final strike, then ripped a two-run home run over the left-center field wall to score León and make the game 6-5.

Binelas and Aroon Escobar (Phillies No. 4 prospect) tallied back-to-back singles before Richmond closer Ryan Vanderhei slammed the door, striking out Wuilfredo Antunez and stranding a pair of runners on base to help the Flying Squirrels escape with the victory.

Squirrels starter Greg Farone (5-8) got the win, tossing 5.2 innings of one-run ball while walking two and striking out a season-best 10 hitters.

R-Phils hurler Jean Cabrera (3-5) got the loss, firing five innings of three-run ball while allowing a pair of free passes and punching out three.

Vanderhei (1) got his first save of the season, helping Richmond escape with a win in the series lid-lifter.

DeMartini led the way for Reading, going 2-for-3 with a run scored and three stolen bases in as many attempts.

The Fightin Phils hold a 0.5 game lead over the Portland Sea Dogs for the Eastern League-Northeast division lead.

Reading returns to the field on Thursday at the Richmond Flying Squirrels at 5:35 p.m. for a doubleheader. RHP Luke Russo and LHP Adam Seminaris will get the start for Reading, and they will go against RHP Trystan Vrieling and RHP Yunior Marte for Richmond. A video stream is available via MiLB TV or the Bally Live App.

The Fightin Phils return home from Tuesday, August 11, through Sunday, August 16 against the Chesapeake Baysox, Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. On Tuesday, the first 2,500 adults receive a Rocky Colavito Baseballtown Hall of Fame Reading Indians Bobble Head, thanks to FirstEnergy. Wednesday is SU2C "Stand Up To Cancer" and Fightin Cancer Night with the R-Phils Wearing Fightin Cancer Jerseys. Thursday and Friday both feature fireworks, with Thursday's show sponsored by Recovery Awareness Night thanks to Berks Counseling Center and SOS Berks and Friday's by PSECU. Saturday is the 28th Annual Harley Night with a R-Phils Harley Game Cap Giveaway for the first 2,500 adults, along with postgame fireworks, thanks to American Crane and Equipment Corporation. The series ends Sunday with a R-Phils Team Photo for the first 2,000 kids with a pre-game player autograph session for kids at 4 PM, thanks to Berkshire Hathaway.

Tickets to all games are available at rphils.com/tickets, by calling 610-370-BALL or in-person at the Customers Bank Ticket Office.

The 2026 R-Phils season is presented by Pepsi. Follow the Fightin Phils on Twitter @ReadingFightins, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Instagram @Fightins.