Three Run Ninth Inning Leads Fightin Phils to Third Straight Win

BOX SCORE

(Portland, ME) - A three-run ninth inning propelled the Reading Fightin Phils (28-21; 58-60) to a 5-2 win over the Portland Sea Dogs (25-25; 60-58) on Saturday night at Delta Dental Park at Hadlock Field.

The Fightin Phils wasted no time getting on the scoreboard as Bryan Rincon clubbed a solo home run for the second-straight night. It was his 20th home run of the season, which puts Rincon in the 20-20-20 club for the 2026 season.

Jean Cabrera started for Reading and did not allow an earned run over five innings, along with three strikeouts. Portland's lone run against Cabrera came in the bottom of the third. Justin Gonzales led off the inning by reaching on an error from Rincon. Gonzales then stole second base and moved to third on a single from Brooks Brannon and scored on a ground out from Johanfran Garcia to even the score at one.

The game remained tied into the top of the seventh when Reading tallied on a run to grab a 2-1 lead. Aroon Escobar led off the frame with a walk and moved to second when Carson DeMartini walked two batters later. With two outs, Raider Tello singled home Escobar to give Reading the lead.

Portland struck back with a run in the bottom of the eighth inning to tie the game at two. Yoeilin Cespedes reached on a two out walk and Will Turner then walked to put two runners on for the Sea Dogs. Mason White then singled to bring the game even.

But, the Fightin Phils offense exploded for three runs in the top of the ninth to grab the lead for good. DeMartini and Bryson Ware both reached on one-out walks, then Tello followed with another single to put Reading on top 3-2. Pedro Leon and Raylin Heredia singled in back-to-back at bats to score Ware and Tello, respectively to cap off the ninth inning rally.

Christian McGowan (W, 1-0) loaded the bases in the ninth, but worked around the jam to not allow any runs and secure Reading's third-straight win, after dropping the first two games of the week. Reese Dutton and Wen-Hui Pan each tossed a scoreless frame, while Evan Gates was tagged for a run over two-thirds of an inning.

Tello and Rincon each led Reading with two hits on the night as the R-Phils collected six base knocks on the evening. With the win, Reading's lead over Portland extended to 3.5 games in the Eastern League's Northeast Division. With Binghamton and Somerset's wins tonight, both teams sit 2.5 games behind Reading in the playoff chase.

Reading returns to the field on Sunday against the Portland Sea Dogs at 1 p.m. RHP Luke Russo will start for Reading, and he will go opposite RHP Morgan McSweeney for Portland. A video stream is available via MiLB TV or the Bally Live App.

The Fightin Phils return home from Tuesday, August 25, through Sunday, August 30, against the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, Double-A affiliate of the New York Mets. Tuesday is the 23rd Annual Morning Game, with the first 2,000 adults getting a Reading Iced Coffees Game Camp (Reading Hospital). Wednesday is a Retro Animation Tribute with "Mickey Mouse" co-branded merchandise available. Thursday and Friday both feature fireworks. Thursday's show is presented by PA Virtual Charter School, Alvernia University, Members 1st Federal Credit Union, Berks Technical Institute, and Firetree Ltd. Saturday is a Post-Game Drone Show (Blue Ridge Remodeling) celebrating 60 Seasons of Phillies Affiliation and Celebrating "Swifties." The series ends Sunday with an appearance by the Phillie Phanatic (Berks County Intermediate Unit).

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.