Abel Strong As Reading Falls to New Hampshire

BOX SCORE

(Reading, PA) - The New Hampshire Fisher Cats (21-29, 56-62) defeated the Reading Fightin Phils (25-28, 53-68) 5-3 for the 2-0 series lead. A late charge from the Fisher Cats helped them pull away for their second-straight win.

Reading starting pitcher Mick Abel followed up his two hit, career high seven-inning performance against Harrisburg with another great outing Wednesday Night. The Phillies No. 2 overall prospect struck out five and allowed two hits in just five innings of work.

The Fightin Phils got on top early in the first thanks to the bat of Carlos De La Cruz. A solo home run gave De La Cruz his team-leading 22nd home run this season, giving Reading the lead 1-0.

The lone blemish on the night for Abel came in the top of the second with a home run from Will Robertson. His 14th homer on the season tied things up at one a piece.

The R-Phils came back in the bottom of the inning with a home run of their own. This time coming off the bat of the Baron Radcliff. The lefty blasted a solo home run over the Reading Hospital Tower Health pool deck to give the Phils the 2-1 lead.

Reading added another in the bottom of the sixth. After a walk, Oliver Dunn found himself at third base after a passed ball and wild pitch from relief pitcher Adrian Hernandez. A sacrifice fly from Ethan Wilson scored Dunn to add to the Fightin Phils lead 3-1.

Marcus Lee Sang followed with a double off the Redner's Event Center that moved Radcliff to third, who reached with a walk. Hernandez walked his third batter of the inning Rixon Wingrove to load up the bases, but a diving play from Fisher Cats third baseman Damiano Palmegiani was just enough to get Casey Martin out at first to leave them stranded.

New Hampshire fought back to tie the game at three in the top of the seventh. After the first batter of the inning Andres Sosa was hit by a pitch from reliever Andrew Schultz, a double from Michael Turconi scored Sosa to cut into the Reading lead 3-2. A walk to Devonte Brown ended the day of Schultz, with Tristian Garnett coming with one out in the inning. With Runners on first and second, Garnett was able to get Alan Roden to ground into a force out at second, but a throwing error allowed Turconi to score for their second run of the inning.

The Fisher Cats added two more runs in the top of the eighth. Palmegiani started off with a double, and moved to third on a wild pitch. After a walk from Robertson, Rainer Nunez smoked a liner to left field that scored Palmegiani to give New Hampshire the lead 4-3. The Cats were able to get another thanks to a fielding error from the Reading. This scored Robertson to add to the New Hampshire lead 5-3.

Reading was unable to make up for the deficit, falling to the Fisher Cats 5-3. Fitz Stadler (3-0) got the win for the Fisher Cats, with Garnett (1-1) suffering the loss. Trevor Clifton (1) closed the game to get the save.

Reading and New Hampshire are back in action Thursday at 6:45 p.m. RHP Zach Haake is scheduled to start for Reading, with New Hampshire's starter yet to be announced Pregame coverage is underway 6:30 p.m. and can be listened to at rphils.com/radio.

Thursday and Friday night will each feature postgame fireworks. Saturday is 90's night and a tribute to Springfield's Favorite Family, while the R-Phils will wear special Springfield themed jerseys. The night will conclude with the final Carpenter MEGA Blast Fireworks show of the season, the largest in stadium history. The series concludes Sunday with an appearance by the Phillie Phanatic. 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 2023 R-Phils season is presented by Pepsi. Follow the Fightin Phils on Twitter @ReadingFightins, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Instagram @Fightins.