Reading Falls as Ponies Hit Walk Off in Ninth

BOX SCORE

(Binghamton, NY) - Down to their final out in the ninth, the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (37-26, 72-60) walked off the Reading Fightin Phils (30-35, 58-75) 2-1 on a Rowdey Jordan game-winning double. With the win, Binghamton reclaims the series lead, 2-1, at the midway point of the week.

Matt Osterberg started and was phenomenal for Reading. The southpaw matched a season, and career high, with seven innings pitched. He allowed no runs and just two hits, with six strikeouts in the no-decision. Binghamton was kept off the board when Nick Ward made a diving stop and throw to first to end the fourth and strand a runner on third.

Reading grabbed the lead in the seventh when Baron Radcliff hit his 11th home run of the season to right to put the R-Phils up 1-0.

Carlos Francisco entered in the eighth, with Reading still up 1-0. He allowed a leadoff single to Mateo Gill, then followed with a strikeout and an inning-ending double play off the bat of Hayden Senger. In the ninth, Binghamton pitcher Paul Gervase (W, 2-0) struck out the side, apart of a six-strikeout night for him in two innings of relief, to keep it a 1-0 game heading to the last of the ninth.

Andrew Baker (L, 0-6) entered for Reading in the final frame. Rhylan Thomas led off the inning with a single down the left-field line. Baker then got Luisangel Acuna to strike out for the first out of the inning. A wild pitch from Baker then moved Thomas to second. Jett Williams and Drew Gilbert each walked to load the bases for Binghamton. Jeremiah Jackson struck out swinging for the second out to bring Rowdey Jordan to the plate. On the first pitch he saw, Jordan doubled to left center to score two runs and give Binghamton the 2-1 victory.

Joander Suarez started for Binghamton and earned the no-decision, but was strong over five innings of work. He allowed just three hits, no runs, and struck out nine with two walks.

Reading continues its final series of the regular season at the Binghamton Rumble Ponies on Friday at 7:05 p.m. LHP David Parkinson is scheduled to start for Reading, and he will go opposite RHP Dom Hamel for Binghamton. Pregame coverage is underway at 6:45 p.m. and you can listen at rphils.com/radio. A video stream is available via MiLB TV or the Bally Live App.

The Reading Fightin Phils return to FirstEnergy Stadium to open the 2024 season on April 9, 2024, against the Portland Sea Dogs. Season tickets, mini plans, and group outings for 2024 are now available. For more details, go to rphils.com, call 610-370-BALL, or at the Customers Bank Ticket Office.

The 2023 R-Phils season is presented by Pepsi. Follow the Fightin Phils on Twitter @ReadingFightins, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Instagram @Fightins.