Four Trends from Reading's Series Against Binghamton
(Reading, PA) — The Reading Fightin Phils dropped a six-game set against the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, the Double-A affiliate of the New York Mets. Reading won the first game and then lost the final five. Here are four intriguing trends that stick out from the Fightin Phils series against Binghamton:
(Reading, PA) — The Reading Fightin Phils dropped a six-game set against the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, the Double-A affiliate of the New York Mets. Reading won the first game and then lost the final five.
Here are four intriguing trends that stick out from the Fightin Phils series against Binghamton:
Hendry’s heroics
While Reading’s offense found difficulty producing power compared to Binghamton’s hitters, outfielder Hendry Mendez excelled with an impressive week. The Phillies’ No. 14 prospect recorded eight hits in 21 at-bats and recorded a .500 on-base percentage.
Mendez signed with the Milwaukee Brewers out of the Dominican Republic at just 17 years old and worked his way through their system for nearly three years before an unexpected turn of events. The Brewers shipped Mendez and infielder Robert Moore to Philadelphia in an off-season trade for second baseman Oliver Dunn. Mendez then played in High-A Jersey Shore in 2024 and has made Reading his home for the 2025 season.
Against the Rumble Ponies, Mendez appeared in all six games and recorded at least one hit in all but Saturday’s contest. He started the six-game set strong with a two-hit night. He also sealed the impressive series with a three-hit day on Sunday. All eight hits this week were singles. Impressively, Mendez walked four times and struck out just three times.
Mendez’s 8-for-21 week brings his season batting average to .294, the third highest of current players behind only Felix Reyes and Paul McIntosh. His on-base percentage is at .378, just two points shy of McIntosh, and he ranks second on the team in walks with 39. Mendez has made his mark in Reading so far and continued his upward trajectory against Binghamton.
Walk troubles
Reading pitching walked 39 batters in six games to lead the Eastern League by 13 this week. In their only win of the series, the Fightin Phils walked zero batters while striking out 13. It was the sixth time this season Reading completed the feat of walking no batters.
The Figthin Phils walked six batters on July 23 followed by five the next night. They then walked eight on July 25 and seven on July 26. To complete the week, they walked 13 batters in a 17-3 loss. Thirteen walks tied a season-high.
Dallas deals
Reliever Jack Dallas stood out as a Rumble Ponies stopper. He allowed zero hits and no runs in 4.0 innings across two games, striking out four batters in the process.
At 26 years old, Dallas is performing at his best since joining the Phillies’ organization. He signed with Philadelphia on a Minor League contract in 2022 following a five-year career at Lamar University in his hometown of Beaumont, Texas. Dallas developed mostly with Clearwater and Jersey Shore but finished 2024 in Reading, where he started 2025 and has become a top relief pitcher for the Fightin Phils.
Binghamton’s offense started off the series slowly on offense, largely because of Dallas. In the July 22nd matchup, Dallas entered the game in the seventh inning as Reading still trailed 3-2. He retired the side in order and struck out Mets’ No. 1 prospect Jett Williams. The Fightin Phils took the lead in the bottom of the seventh and Dallas held on in the eighth while striking out two more batters. Reading then went on to win 6-3.
His second appearance was just as effective as he tallied 2.0 scoreless innings on July 25, but it was too late as the Fightin Phils were already trailing. With Dallas’ two scoreless outings against the Rumble Ponies, he’s now at a 1.24 WHIP and 4.17 ERA in 41.0 innings in 2025.
On-base percentage falters
The Fightin Phils reached base at a .308 clip collectively against Binghamton last week.
Alongside Mendez at the top of the list, Alex Binelas and Felix Reyes were huge contributors to the production of getting on base versus the Rumble Ponies. Binelas reached at .421 while Reyes sat at .409.
Reading’s offense reaching base struggled in the top of its batting lineup. Leadoff hitter Aidan Miller reached .308 of the time despite a team-high five walks. Two-hole batter Carson DeMartini reached twice at a .136 OBP.
The .308 mark didn’t rank as low in the Eastern League as one might think. Six teams ranked below the Figthin Phils, with the Altoona Curve recording the worst at .219.
The Fightin Phils return to the field on Tuesday at 7:10 p.m. against the Hartford Yard Goats and A video stream is available via MiLB TV or the Bally Live App.
The Fightin Phils return home from Tuesday, August 12 through Sunday, August 17 against the Akron RubberDucks, Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. On Tuesday, the first 2,000 adults receive a Fightin Phils Replica Home Jersey, presented by FirstEnergy. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday all feature fireworks. Wednesday's is presented by Beneficial Society Victor Emmanuel II, Thursday by Riverfront Federal Credit Union and Friday's by PSECU. Saturday night showcases fireworks, thanks to American Crane and Equipment Corporation and the 27th Annual Harley Night with a Harley Game Cap giveaway, thanks to Classic Harley-Davidson. The series ends Sunday with a Phillie Phanatic Appearance, presented by Penn State Health St. Joseph. Tickets are available at rphils.com/tickets, by calling 610-370-BALL or at the Customers Bank Ticket Office.
The 2025 R-Phils season is presented by Pepsi. Follow the Fightin Phils on Twitter @ReadingFightins, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Instagram @Fightins.