Fausnaught Fires Five Strong Frames as Fightins Fall

BOX SCORE

(Portland, ME) - Five-strong innings from Braeden Fausnaught wasn't enough as the Reading Fightin Phils (5-12) fell 5-1 to the Portland Sea Dogs (9-6) on Wednesday night from Hadlock Field. With the win, the Sea Dogs jumped out to a 2-0 edge in this week's six-game series.

After allowing a run in the bottom of the first inning, Fausnaught settled in allow just one run on five hits over five innings, while racking up seven strikeouts. His lone run allowed came when Jhostynxon Garcia singled home Abrham Liendo in the bottom of the first inning.

The Fightin Phils evened up the game in the top of the third inning. Jordan Dissin led off the inning with a single, his first of two hits on the night. Two batters later, Aidan Miller singled to move Dissin to second. Hendry Mendez followed with a single to left field to move Dissin to third and Miller to second. Keaton Anthony then drove in his 10th run of the season with a sac fly to left field, scoring Dissin, and evening the score at one.

The game remained tied at one as Blake Wehunt matched Fausnaught with five-solid frames on the mound. The right-handed arm allowed just the one run on four hits, along with three strikeouts. Neither starting pitcher factored into the decision.

Travis Kuhn followed with two-perfect innings, along with two strikeouts. On the other side Wyatt Olds (W, 3-1) kept Reading's bats quiet with three-shutout innings.

Andrew Baker (L, 0-1) then entered in the eighth inning and was quickly tagged by the Sea Dogs for four runs in the frame. Karon Simas started the inning with a single, then Mikey Romero followed with a walk. With one out, Garcia singled home Simas to make it 2-1, Portland. Blaze Jordan then followed with a double to score both Romero and Garcia, then Drew Ehrhard singled home Jordan to extend the lead to 5-1. It marked the second-straight game where the Sea Dogs took the lead for good in the bottom of the eighth inning.

The Fightin Phils return to the field on Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Portland Sea Dogs. RHP Chuck King will be on the mound for Reading, and RHP Tyler Uberstine 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.