Fightins hold off late rally by Senators

(Harrisburg, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils (60-65) held off a late rally by the Harrisburg Senators (63-61) in the bottom of the ninth inning as they won 7-6. The Senators scored three runs off Edgar Garcia in the bottom of the ninth inning before Daniel Johnson grounded out to second base with two runners on the base paths. The win ends a three-game slide for the Fightin Phils.
Reading took a 1-0 lead against Senators starting pitcher Erick Fedde (0-1) in the top of the third inning as Cornelius Randolph hit a RBI single. Fedde lasted four innings in his rehab start before passing the ball to César Vargas .
The Fightins scored four runs off Vargas in the top of the fifth inning to take a 5-0 lead. Austin Listi walked with the bases loaded then Damek Tomscha hit a RBI single. Jose Pujols capped the inning with a two-run single.
Fightin Phils starting pitcher Felix Paulino (3-1) pitched five no-hit innings before Carter Kieboom hit a RBI double in the bottom of the sixth inning. Daniel Johnson followed with a RBI double to cut Reading's lead to 5-2. Pujols hit a two-run off Vargas in the top of the seventh inning to give Reading a 7-2 lead. Drew Ward homered off Josh Tols in the bottom of the seventh inning to cut Reading's lead to 7-3.
Reading is now 3-5 against Harrisburg this season and plays for a series sweep tomorrow night at 6:30 p.m.
America's Classic Ballpark is proud to be a part of Pennsylvania's Americana Region. Individual and group tickets for the 2018 season are available online at Fightins.com, by phone at 610-370-BALL, and in-person at FirstEnergy Stadium. Follow the Fightin Phils on Twitter at @ReadingFightins and like them on Facebook via www.facebook.com/fightins.