Fightin Phils Comeback Bid Spoiled by Yard Goats Friday Night Walk-Off

BOX SCORE

(Hartford, CT) – A walk-off hit by pitch of Jared Thomas lifted the Hartford Yard Goats (24-37; 63-66) to a 4-3 win over the Reading Fightin Phils (35-25; 65-64) on Friday night from Dunkin' Park.

Jack Dallas (L, 3-3) returned to the mound for the ninth inning after tossing a scoreless eighth frame. Zach Kokoska started the inning with a double and was safe at third on a Jimmy Obertop bunt, putting runners on the corners. After a GJ Hill strikeout, Andy Perez was intentionally walked, which set the table for Thomas to be hit by a pitch with the bases full.

Down by a run entering the top of the ninth, the Fightin Phils went to Caleb Ricketts off the bench and the pinch hitter lifted his 11th home run of the season to draw the game even at three. Fidel Ulloa (W, 6-2) held Reading to just the one run, but was credited with a blown save and win.

The Fightin Phils managed to strike first in the top of the opening frame. Bryan Rincon lifted his 23rd home run of the season and his Minor League Baseball leading 10th leadoff blast. Hartford responded in the bottom of the second when Hill doubled home Kokoska to even the score at one.

Reading re-took the lead in the top of the seventh when Bryson Ware hit his second triple of the season and scored on a sac fly from Rincon to make it 2-1. But, Hartford grabbed a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the frame thanks to a double from Kokoska and and two-bagger from Kyle Karros.

Luke Russo started for Reading and tossed six-plus innings, allowing three runs on five hits, with three strikeouts. Konner Eaton surrendered just one run on four hits over six innings, while sending down five Fightin Phils on strikes.

Despite the loss, the Fightin Phils were aided by Somerset's 17-0 loss at Erie to maintain a three-game lead in the Eastern League Northeast Division standings with eight games to play.

Reading returns to the field on Saturday against the Hartford Yard Goats at 6:10 p.m. LHP Adam Seminaris is set to start for Reading, and he will go opposite LHP Stu Flesland for Hartford. A video stream is available via MiLB TV or the Bally Live App.

The Fightin Phils return home from Tuesday, September 8, through Sunday, September 13, against the Erie Seawolves, Double-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. On Tuesday, the first 1,000 fans receive a Pride Night R-Phils 32-ounce cup (Kutztown University and LGBTQ+ Resource Center at Kutztown University). Wednesday features a Game-Worn Pinstripe Jersey Auction/Raffle, while Thursday will be a Throwback Jersey Auction/Raffle. Friday night is a Prost Oktoberfest Tribute with fireworks (Savage Auto Group). It will be another Prost Oktoberfest Tribute on Saturday, with Carpenter MEGA Blast Fireworks (Penske). The series and regular season end on Sunday with Dinosaur Day, featuring Interactive Dinosaur Exhibits.

If the Fightin Phils make the Eastern League Playoffs, they will open the first postseason series on Tuesday, September 15 against the Hartford Yard Goats, Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. Reading's magic number is six, with eight games to play.

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.