Fightins lose series on walk-off in 9th

Reading drops their fourth series of the season

July 8, 2016

The Fightin Phils (62-25) dropped their fourth series of the season on Thursday night as Flying Squirrels (34-52) first-baseman Chris Shaw hit a walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the ninth against Hoby Milner (4-2). Reading still holds the best record in all of professional baseball.

The Fightin Phils jumped out to an early 3-0 lead over the Flying Squirrels in the top of the first. Andrew Pullin and Jorge Alfaro hit back-to-back home runs for the first two runs of the inning. Harold Martinez hit a RBI single with two outs to bring in the third run. The home run for Pullin extended his hitting streak to 20 games (16 with Clearwater).

Richmond tied the game at 3-3 off Mark Leiter Jr. in the bottom of the sixth. Angelo Mora committed a throwing error to begin the inning. Flying Squirrels pitcher Sam Coonrod and shortstop C.J. Hinojosa both hit a sacrifice fly while center-fielder Steven Duggar added a RBI single.

The Flying Squirrels grabbed a 5-3 lead with two outs in the bottom of the sixth. Squirrels catcher Jeff Arnold doubled with two outs that chased Leiter Jr. out of the inning. Mario Hollands gave up back-to-back RBI singles to right fielder Carlos Moncrief and pinch-hitter Hunter Cole.

Jesmuel Valentin led off the top of the seventh inning with a home run against Squirrels reliever Tyler MIzenko. The home run was his fifth of the season. Alfaro walked with two outs then recorded his first stolen base. Dylan Cozens walked in the next at-bat. A wild pitch by Mizenko moved both runners up a base with Rhys Hoskins at the plate. The game was entered a rain delay at 9:15.

Game resumed play at 10:57 pm. The Fightins tied the game at 5-5 in the top of the eighth as Pullin hit a RBI single off Flying Squirrels reliever Preston Claiborne (1-0) to score Valentin.

The Fightin Phils return home for three games before the All-Star Break to play the Bowie Baysox. First pitch is at 7:05 pm from FirstEnergy Stadium. Fans can listen to the game on Sports Radio AM 1240/FM 98.5 and fightins.com beginning at 6:05 pm. Fans can watch the game on MiLB.tv beginning at 7:05 pm.

Tickets for the 2016 season are available online at Fightins.com, by phone at 610-370-BALL, and in-person at FirstEnergy Stadium.