Bash Brothers combine for nine RBI

Reading has won 15 of 19 series played this season

June 11, 2016

Dylan Cozens and Rhys Hoskins combined for nine RBI on Saturday night as the Reading Fightin Phils (44-19) defeated the Altoona Curve (33-28) 12-8. Cozens recorded the first six RBI game of his career while Reading still holds the best record in Minor League Baseball.

Curve center-fielder Austin Meadows wasted no-time extending his hitting streak to 20 games. He hit a home run off Mark Leiter Jr. in the top of the first with two outs to give Altoona a 1-0 lead. The Fightins answered back in the bottom of the first against Curve starter Clay Holmes. Cozens hit a three-run home run to give Reading a 3-1 lead. The home run for Cozens was his 18th of the season.

Cozens hit a RBI single off Holmes in the bottom of the third to extend Reading's lead to 4-1. It was his second four RBI game of the season (5/20 vs. Trenton). Jesmuel Valentin hit a sacrifice fly off Holmes in the bottom of the fourth to give the Fightins a 5-1 lead.

Edwin Espinal hit a home run off Leiter Jr. in the top of the fifth to cut Reading's lead to 5-2. Cozens struck again in the bottom of the fifth as he hit a two-run home run off Holmes to give Reading a 7-2 lead. The home run was his 19th of the season.

Jose Osuna hit a three-run home run off Leiter Jr. in the top of the sixth to get within two runs 7-5. Jeremy Bleich (2-1) entered the game in relief of Leiter Jr. He gave up three more runs as Altoona would take an 8-7 lead. The Fightin Phils responded in a big way in the bottom of the sixth as they scored five runs to regain the lead, 12-8. Hoskins hit a three-run home run and Angelo Mora hit a two-run home run. The home run for Hoskins was his 16th while Mora hit his fourth.

Hoby Milner pitched two scoreless innings in relief. Miguel Nunez pitched the top of the ninth inning. He didn't allow a run as he struck out three batters while issuing just one walk. Josh Smith (1-2) took the loss for Altoona as he allowed five runs through 1 2/3 innings.

The Fightin Phils and Altoona Curve will finish their series tomorrow night at FirstEnergy Stadium. First pitch is at 5:05 pm. Fans can listen to the game on Sports Radio AM 1240/FM 98.5 and fightins.com beginning at 4:35 pm. Fans can watch the game on MiLB.tv beginning at 5:05 pm.

Tickets for the 2016 season are available online at Fightins.com, by phone at 610-370-BALL, and in-person at FirstEnergy Stadium.