Fightin Phils Triumph over Erie in Aidan Miller's Double-A Debut

Miller Has One Hit in First Game, Justin Crawford Has Three Knocks and Two Runs

By Jake Starr/Reading Fightin Phils

September 3, 2024

BOX SCORE (Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils (24-34; 55-71) earned a 4-2 series-opening win over the Erie SeaWolves (32-25; 70-54) on Tuesday night from FirstEnergy Stadium. In his Double-A debut, Aidan Miller picked up a hit and RBI. Justin Crawford had three hits, two stolen bases and two

BOX SCORE

(Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils (24-34; 55-71) earned a 4-2 series-opening win over the Erie SeaWolves (32-25; 70-54) on Tuesday night from FirstEnergy Stadium.

In his Double-A debut, Aidan Miller picked up a hit and RBI. Justin Crawford had three hits, two stolen bases and two runs scored in the victory.

Erie struck first in the top of the second inning off Reading starter Noah Skirrow (W, 5-4). Liam Hicks led off the inning with a walk, then Eliezer Alfonzo singled. After a hit fielders' choice and hit by pitch, Skirrow issued a bases-loaded walk to Patrick Lee to make it 1-0 Erie.

Reading responded with one run in the bottom of the third frame. Marcus Lee Sang led off with a single, then Justin Crswford reached on an infield single. Aidan Miller hit into a fielders' choice to score Lee Sang and even the game at one. The Fightin Phils then got another run in the fourth thanks to a sac fly from Ethan Wilson.

In the fifth, Crawford led off the inning with a single, then stole second. Crawford would come around to score after a walk and single from Carson Taylor to make it a 3-1 Reading lead. Erie then got one back in the sixth. Chris Meyers reached on a single and came around to score on a single from Ben Malgeri to make it 3-2.

The Fightin Phils tacked on an insurance run to make it 4-2 in the bottom of the seventh. Crawford had his third hit of the night and stole second, for his second swiped bag of the night. Gabriel Rincones Jr. then singled to score Crawford and make it 4-2.

Skirrow ultimately settled in for another strong outing. He allowed one run on three hits over five innings, with five strikeouts. Austin Bergner (L, 3-2) dropped his first outing in a couple of months for Erie. He surrendered three runs (two earned) over 4.2 innings pitched, with five strikeouts. Andrew Walling (S, 1) earned his first Double-A save in the top of the ninth inning.

The Fightin Phils return to the field Wednesday against the Erie SeaWolves, Double-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, at 6:45 p.m. RHP Christian McGowan will be on the mound for Reading, and he will go opposite RHP Garrett Burhenn for Erie. Pregame radio coverage is underway at 6:30 p.m. on the Reading Fightin Phils Radio Network. A video stream is available via MiLB TV or the Bally Live App.

Wednesday is an Unused Ticket Game, thanks to Rip It Baseballtown Charities. Thursday is Tasting Festival on the Deck presented by Classic Harley-Davidson. Friday night features fireworks, thanks to Savage Auto Group. Saturday is a SpongeBob Celebration and Carpenter MEGA Blast Fireworks, sponsored by your local Kia Dealers. The home schedule finishes Sunday with Reading Truck MEGA Blast Fireworks, thanks to Penske.

To buy tickets, call 610-370-BALL, go to rphils.com/tickets, or in person at the Customers Bank Ticket Office. The Fightin Phils Brentwood Industries Team Store is open both in-person and online 24/7 at rphils.com/shop.

The 2024 R-Phils season is presented by Pepsi. Follow the Fightin Phils on Twitter @ReadingFightins, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Instagram @Fightins.