Cats scale Phillies late
The Rock Cats trailed, 4-3, entering the ninth inning against Phillies reliever Ryan Cameron (5-5). Gilbert Velazquez led off the frame with a single and advanced to second base on James Tomlin's sacrifice bunt. Two batters later, Alexander Romero worked a pinch-hit walk. Deeds, who finished 3-for-5 with three RBIs, followed with a double to center field as the Rock Cats moved within six games of Portland in the Northern Division of the Eastern League.
New Britain took a 2-1 lead in the fourth inning when Daniel Matienzo doubled in a run and scored on Phillies third baseman Nate Grindell's throwing error.
In the fifth, Reading's Jesus Merchan came home on a double-play groundout. Deeds doubled in Denard Span in the bottom half.
Merchan's RBI single in a two-run sixth gave the Phillies a 4-3 lead.
Rock Cats reliever Daylan Childress (2-4) worked a scoreless ninth inning with two strikeouts and one walk.
Reading hosts Bowie at 7:05 p.m. ET on Friday. New Britain continues its homestand against Norwich at 7:05 p.m. Friday. -- Eric Justic/MLB.com