Home Runs A Bright Spot in R-Phils Loss

BOX SCORE

The Reading Fightin Phils fell to the Erie SeaWolves 12-4 on Opening Night at FirstEnergy Stadium.

While the Fightins dropped the series opener, many players shined in their debut. Three solo homers one each off the bat of Arquimedes Gamboa, Dalton Guthrie, and Luke Miller impressed fans and teammates alike.

FirstEnergy Stadium was also back in action with a lively crowd, an enjoyable Happy Hour concert, and thrilling in-game entertainment. There was fun for everyone as fans hung out at the pool, caught foul balls, and ate and drank the night away!

Gamboa started the game off with a bomb to right center field in the R-Phils first at-bat of the game, highlighting his fantastic return to America’s Classic Ballpark. The shortstop has matured immensely at the plate, patiently taking two walks. Defensively he looked strong in the diamond and flashed noteworthy range.

Matt Vierling was a force at the plate, recording two singles and a double in four at-bats. Four other Fightins got their first hits of the 2021 season. Guthrie and Miller took baseballs deep, while Daniel Brito and Matt Kroon each took first on a single.

The Erie offense trickled in, scoring in five different innings. The SeaWolves boasted homers by Jacob Robson, Dylan Rosa, and Yariel Gonzalez. Rosa and Robson, along with top Tigers prospect Riley Greene and Ryan Kreidler recorded two hits on the night.

Philadelphia’s #25 propspect Ethan Lindow took the mound for Reading in an exciting Double-A debut. He went 3.0 IP giving up two hits, two earned runs, and notching four strikeouts. He handed over the ball to Ethan Evanko who was lights out pitching one inning solidifying a 0.00 ERA. Julian Garcia came in for relief tossing 1.2 innings for six hits and three earned runs. Andrew Ross followed allowing just one hit and one run in 1.1 IP. The Skipper then handed the ball to Andrew Brown for the final two innings. Brown held the SeaWolves to three hits and three earned runs. Garcia recorded the loss for the Fightins.

Erie gave the ball to Paul Richan to start things off for the SeaWolves. He pitched for four innings, giving up five hits, three of them being homers. Max Green took the mound and the win in relief throwing two strong and holding the R-Phils in place, as did fellow teammate Angel De Jesus. The SeaWolves called upon Ethan DeCaster to close out the final inning.

The Double-A affiliate of the Phillies will host two home series in May at America’s Classic Ballpark. This includes FIVE more games from Opening Night Part Two on Wednesday, May 5th through Sunday, May 9th against the Erie SeaWolves (Tigers). AND, another SIX games from May 25th to May 30th against the Richmond Flying Squirrels (Giants). Come celebrate Mother’s Day and Memorial Day Weekend with us at the ballpark! Visit rphils.com/tickets, the Weidenhammer Ticket Office, or call 610-370-BALL to secure your tickets to a game!

The 2021 season is presented by Pepsi.

America's Classic Ballpark is proud to be a part of Pennsylvania's Americana Region and was voted the #1 stadium in all of Double-A by MiLB's Ben Hill. Follow the R-Phils at rphils.com, on Twitter and TikTok at @ReadingFightins, on Instagram @fightins, and like them on Facebook via www.facebook.com/fightins for all information.