Fightins Shut Out 9-0 By Yard Goats On Saturday Night

BOX SCORE

(Hartford, CT) – The Reading Fightin’ Phils (35-26, 65-65) were blanked by the Hartford Yard Goats (25-37, 64-66, falling 9-0 on Saturday evening.

Hartford’s offense wasted little time getting on the board against Reading’s starter Adam Seminaris. After an Andy Perez (COL’s No. 16 prospect) groundout to begin the bottom of the first, the Rockies’ rehabbing third baseman, Kyle Karros, launched the first homer of his rehab assignment, and his 11th in total, out to left-center field to give the Yard Goats a 1-0 lead.

Reading put its first two baserunners aboard in the second when Caleb Ricketts drew a two-out walk and Bryson Ware followed with a single. However, Austin Murr would ground out to end the frame, leaving the Fightins scoreless.

The Yard Goats would add a three-spot of runs in the third. Jacob Humphrey reached base on a bunt single before Braylen Wimmer followed up with a single of his own, putting a pair of runners in scoring position for Jared Thomas (COL’s No. 10 prospect). He then cleared the bases with a three-run blast to left-center field, extending Hartford’s advantage to 4-0.

They continued to add to their lead in the fifth. The duo of Karros and Humphrey opened the inning with back-to-back singles before Wimmer was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Thomas brought home Karros with an RBI single, and Jorge followed with an RBI single of his own to score Humphrey for the Goats’ sixth run of the contest. Seminaris was lifted after facing five batters in the fifth, with Daniel Harper entering in relief. Harper would retire both of his first two hitters, Jimmy Obertop and Cole Messina, looking at strikes before walking Tevin Tucker on five pitches to bring Wimmer and make it 7-0. Harper did settle down to toss two scoreless frames while allowing a lone hit.

Reading was unable to generate almost anything against Hartford’s starter Stu Flesland III, who held the Fightins scoreless over 6.2 innings. Flesland surrendered five hits and issued a pair of walks while striking out seven to earn the win. The Yard Goats added two more runs in the seventh against Reese Dutton. Dyan Jorge singled to open the inning before Messina followed with a two-run home run for his eighth of the season, capping the game’s run total at 9-0.

Bryan Rincon (PHI’s No. 5 prospect) went 1-for-3 with a double, while Aroon Escobar (PHI’s No. 6 prospect) collected two hits in his four plate appearances. The Fightins finished the night with six hits total and went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position, leaving seven men on base.

Seminaris (11-9) took his ninth loss after allowing seven runs on 12 hits (marking a season-high) over four innings while striking out six. Harper followed with two scoreless innings, Dutton surrendered two runs in the seventh, and Aaron Combs closed out Reading’s pitching line for the night with a scoreless eighth inning and a pair of strikeouts.

Reading will wrap up their six-game road trip against the Hartford Yard Goats at 1:10 p.m. RHP Braydon Tucker is set to start for Reading, and he will go opposite TBA 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 five, with seven 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.