Chuck King's Career Best Outing Not Enough as Fightins Fall
BOX SCORE (Portland, ME) - Five-shutout innings from Chuck King was not enough as the Reading Fightin Phils (5-13) fell 4-3 to the Portland Sea Dogs (10-6) on Thursday night from Delta Dental Park. With the loss, Reading has dropped the first three games to Portland this week and have
(Portland, ME) - Five-shutout innings from Chuck King was not enough as the Reading Fightin Phils (5-13) fell 4-3 to the Portland Sea Dogs (10-6) on Thursday night from Delta Dental Park. With the loss, Reading has dropped the first three games to Portland this week and have lost seven straight.
King was excellent in his fourth appearance, and second start of the season. The righty went a career-high five innings, allowing no runs and just one hit. He struck out three in the no decision.
The Fightin Phils raced out to a 3-0 lead with a run in each of the first, sixth and seventh innings. Aidan Miller was hit by a pitch in the first and ultimately scored on a balk from Portland starter Tyler Uberstine. Reading manufactured a second run in the sixth thanks to a sac fly from Luis Verdugo, scoring Miller's second run of the night. In the seventh, Robert Moore laid down a perfect bunt single to plate Felix Reyes and make it a three run Reading lead.
Portland began to chip back with two runs in the bottom of the seventh. Blaze Jordan reached base and Tyler Miller followed with a two-run home run off Andrew Bechtold to make it 3-2, with Reading still on top. In the bottom of the eighth, Andrew Walling (L, 0-1) surrendered two runs. Blaze Jordan singled home Mikey Romero, then Miller scored Ahbram Leindo to put the Sea Dogs up 4-3.
Zach Bryant (W, 1-0) was strong in relief for Portland, striking out three over 1.2-scoreless and hitless innings. Following Bryant, Jonathan Brand (S, 2) pitched around two hits in the ninth inning to lock down the victory for the Sea Dogs.
The Fightin Phils return to the field on Friday at 6 p.m. at the Portland Sea Dogs. RHP Gabe Mosser will be on the mound for Reading, and RHP David Sandlin will start for Portland. A video stream is available via MiLB TV or the Bally Live App.
Reading returns home from Tuesday, April 29, through Sunday, May 4, against the Harrisburg Senators, Double-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals. Tuesday and Wednesday feature unused ticket games, thanks to Baseballtown Charities. Thursday is the first Tasting Festival on the Deck this season, presented by Classic-Harley Davidson. Friday is Fiesta Friday and fireworks, sponsored by your local Kia Dealers. Saturday will also feature fireworks, thanks to Adams and Associates. The series ends Sunday with a R-Phils Mascots & Characters Meet & Greet Autograph & Photo Session for ALL Kids at 4 p.m., presented by ROG Orthodontics. Tickets are available and can be purchased at rphils.com/tickets, by calling 610-370-BALL or at the Customers Bank Ticket Office.
The 2025 R-Phils season is presented by Pepsi. Follow the Fightin Phils on Twitter @ReadingFightins, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Instagram @Fightins.