Duran, Carr Shine as R-Phils Drop Game Two

The Reading Fightin Phils were topped by the Erie SeaWolves, 14-2, in game two of the six game set. The R-Phils showcased lots of heart and hustle, but came up short against fellow Pennsylvania competition. Tyler Carr made the fans privy to his exciting repertoire of pitches and strong mental ability to fight through tough innings and come out on top.

Rodolfo Duran checked off his first hit of the 2021 one season with a scathing double down the line to left field. This extra base hit scored two as Matt Vierling reached on an error and Daniel Brito was on first after being walked. Aside from a single by Luke Miller, the Fightins bats were quiet most of the game.

Duran was stellar behind the plate, blocking each and every ball in the dirt. He gunned down Josh Lester after taking a ball off of his chest protector and Arquimedes Gamboa was in the perfect position to place the tag. Manager Shawn Williams was impressed with his agility at the backstop and his aggression on every pitch.

Erie’s offense was boosted by sixteen hits, two of them being grand slams. The first came off the bat of Lester to cap a six-run inning and another from highly touted Tigers prospect Riley Greene. Both homers came with two outs. Also notching RBIs throughout the night were Yariel Gonzalez (2), Kerry Carpenter (2) and Juan Centeno (1).

Williams gave the ball to the number #4 Phillies prospect Francisco Morales. Morales initially had a clean debut, shutting down the SeaWolves 1-2-3 in the first and a quick second. Things changed rapidly in the top of the third. After loading the bases and allowing two runs, Morales (L, 1-0) was replaced by Joel Cesar. Cesar gave up the grand slam, but was able to come back an inning later and dominate the SeaWolves. Zach Warren came in for relief, pitching two innings allowing four hits and two earned runs. Carr was the highlight on the mound tonight going two strong with no hits. It was touch-and-go at first, but Carr fought and came out on top. Jonathan Henningan, 2019 R-Phil, struggled in his 2021 debut. In the top of the ninth, the lefty gave up a few hard-hit singles and after two outs and the bases loaded, Jakob Hernandez was called in. On the first pitch, he gave up a grand slam, where most of the runs were credited back to Hennigan.

Pedro Payano was lights out for Erie taking the win after going a full five innings of one hit ball and five strikeouts. Brad Bass, Wladimir Pinto, and Gersen Moreno all came in for relief and allowed no earned runs due to a throwing error by Gonzalez.

The Double-A affiliate of the Phillies will host two home series in May at America’s Classic Ballpark. This includes four more games from playing as the Los Luchadores on Thursday, May 6th through Sunday, May 9th against the Erie SeaWolves (Tigers). AND, another SIX games from May 25th to May 30th against the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Giants). Come celebrate Mother’s Day and Memorial Day Weekend with us at the ballpark! Visit rphils.com/tickets, the Weidenhammer Ticket Office, or call 610-370-BALL to secure your tickets to a game!

The 2021 season is presented by Pepsi.

America's Classic Ballpark is proud to be a part of Pennsylvania's Americana Region and was voted the #1 stadium in all of Double-A by MiLB's Ben Hill. Follow the R-Phils at rphils.com, on Twitter and TikTok at @ReadingFightins, on Instagram @fightins, and like them on Facebook via www.facebook.com/fightins for all information.