Late Charge Not Enough as Erie Falls
The SeaWolves dropped their third straight game, falling to the Reading Fightin Phils, 7-4, on Thursday afternoon at First Energy Stadium.
Reading jumped ahead on Erie starter Josh Turley in the bottom of the second inning when Rhys Hoskins connected on a one-out, solo home run, his second of the series.
In the third, Jesmuel Valentin and K.C. Serna each singled putting runners on the corners. Roman Quinn hit into a fielder's choice, scoring Valentin for a 2-0 lead.
The Fightins added to the lead in the fourth. Dylan Cozens led off with a double and stole third. With two outs, Angelo Mora singled home Cozens making it 3-0.
The SeaWolves battled back in the top of the fifth against Reading starter John Richy. The 'Wolves loaded the bases on consecutive walks by Harold Castro and Dominic Ficociello and an Austin Green single. With two outs, JaCoby Jones singled home a pair making it 3-2.
In the last of the fifth, Jorge Alfaro belted a one-out, solo home run off of Turley, his second of the series making it 4-2.
Reading would add to its lead against Santiago Garrido in the eighth. With one out, Jake Fox singled and Mora doubled. Jesmeul Valentin connected on a three-run home run to right for a 7-2 Fightins advantage.
The SeaWolves threatened in the ninth against reliever Joely Rodriguez. Castro led off and reached on an error. Ficociello followed and hit into a fielder's choice and the Fightins erased the runner at second. With two outs, Gustavo Nunez reached on an error, keeping the game alive. Jeff McVaney followed with a walk, loading the bases for Jones. Reading summoned Miguel Nunez. Nunez hit Jones, plating Ficociello making it 7-3. Jones finished with three RBI. Dean Green then drew a bases-loaded walk, picking up his league-leading 45th RBI, making it 7-4. Nunez then struck out Tyler Bortnick, ending the game.
Turley (0-2) took the loss allowing four runs on eight hits with a walk and three strikeouts in six innings.
The SeaWolves return home Friday night as they host the Richmond Flying Squirrels (San Francisco Giants) at 6:35 p.m. The first 1,000 fans will receive a reversible SeaWolves bucket cap courtesy of Commonwealth Charter Academy. Fans can enjoy $2 specials on draft beer and fountain Pepsi products exclusively in the Bud Light Beer Garden until the game starts. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. with the first pitch at 6:35 p.m.