Fightins Comeback Falls Short in Series Opening Loss to Yard Goats

BOX SCORE

(Hartford, CT) - Three runs in the top of the ninth inning were not enough as the Reading Fightin Phils (20-26) fell to the Hartford Yard Goats (23-22) 7-6 on Tuesday night from Dunkin' Park in Hartford.

Hartford jumped out to a 5-0 lead with two runs in the first and third, with another scored in the fourth inning. The first runner scored when Ryan Ritter hit his second home run of the season in the bottom of the first. Warming Bernabel singled home Yanquiel Fernandez to make it 2-0 game. In the bottom of the third, Ritter stole second base, allowing Sterlin Thompson to score. Then, Bernabel singled again to score Ritter and make it 4-0. In the bottom of the fourth, Ritter homered again to make it 5-0, Hartford.

Reading got one back in the top of the sixth. With runners on, Caleb Ricketts grounded out into a force out, but Marcus Lee Sang scored to make it 5-1. Hartford got the run back with a solo home run from Braiden Ward to make it 6-1. In the top of the eighth, Reading's comeback bid began when Carson Taylor launched a two-run home run deep into right field, scoring Caleb Ricketts also to make it 6-3.

Hartford then made it 7-3 in the bottom of the eighth when Adael Amador hit a sac fly to left, scoring Bladimir Restituyo. Reading scored three in the top of the ninth, with two coming on a Marcus Lee Sang single, and another one a Ricketts single to make it 7-6. But that was all Reading could get in the inning.

Andrew Quezada (W, 3-1) tossed 7.1 innings, scattering nine hits and three runs, with seven strikeouts. Noah Skirrow (L, 2-3) lasted just four innings for Reading, allowing four runs, four hits, five walks and five strikeouts. Marcus Lee Sang had three hits, Robert Moore two, Ricketts two and Trevor Schwecke had three base knocks. Reading outhit Hartford 13-8 in the loss.

The Fightin Phils and Yard Goats return to the field Wednesday night at 7:10 p.m. RHP Konnor Ash is scheduled to start for Reading, and he will go opposite LHP Mason Albright for Hartford. A video stream is available via MiLB TV or the Bally Live App.

Reading returns home from Tuesday, June 4 through Sunday June 9 for a six-game series against the Harrisburg Senators (Nationals). Tuesday features a Fightin Phils T-Shirt giveaway for the first 2,000 adults, thanks to Berks County Mental Health & Developmental Disabilities Program. Wednesday is a Tribute to Farming: Farm Animal Experience, presented by Berks County Farmers Association and Steinmentz Family Farm. Thursday and Friday will showcase postgame fireworks. Thursday's show is presented by PA Career Link Berks County, and Friday's by Vertex Mechanical. Saturday is the first Carpenter MEGA Blast Fireworks Show of the season, thanks to Diamond Credit Union. It will also be a Tribute to Peanuts and Charlie Brown's 50th Anniversary, as the Fightin Phils will wear special Peanuts Jerseys. The series ends Sunday with a Johan Rojas Bobble Head, thanks to Berks Packing, for the first 1,500 kids. Reading then remains home from Tuesday, June 11 to Sunday, June 16, against the Portland Sea Dogs (Red Sox).

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.