Fightin Phils Drop Series as Portland is Victorious Sunday
BOX SCORE (Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils (3-6) fell to the Portland Sea Dogs (4-3) 9-5 in the final game of the six game series on Sunday. With the win, Portland captures the series from Reading four games to two. The Sea Dogs led off with a double
(Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils (3-6) fell to the Portland Sea Dogs (4-3) 9-5 in the final game of the six game series on Sunday. With the win, Portland captures the series from Reading four games to two.
The Sea Dogs led off with a double off the bat of Eddison Paulino in the first. Marcelo Mayer followed with an RBI single, allowing Paulino to score, and Portland took an early 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the first, the Fightins loaded the bases and scored one run after Angelo Bastardo walks in a run, tying the game 1-1. The Fightins were not able to add on and left the bases loaded to end the inning.
In the second, Portland's bats continued their hot streak as they scored five runs in the inning off of Reading pitcher Noah Skirrow, and batted around. Phillip Sikes reached base after a fielding error by Kendall Simmons at second-base. Ferguson followed with a single, putting runners on first and second. Eddison Paulino drove both runners in with a three-run homer, increasing Portland's lead, 4-1. This was Paulino's third homer in just two days.
Marcelo Mayer and Nick Yorke both singled, and Mickey Gasper reached on an error by Noah Skirrow (L, 0-1), allowing Mayer to score, 5-1. Alex Binelas, the ninth man to bat in the inning followed with a single, driving in Nick Yorke. Sea Dogs increased their lead, 6-1.
Skirrow allowed seven hits, a homer, three earned runs, one walk and struck out one on the mound in total for Reading. However, Fightins relievers Zach Haake, Tristan Garnett, Max Lazar and Carlos Francisco had strong performances, going a combined seven innings, ten strikeouts and allowed three runs.
The Fightins cut Portland's lead in half in the third after Gabriel Rincones Jr. hit an opposite field home run, driving in Jose Rodriguez. In the fourth, the Sea Dogs scored two runs after a solo homer by Kyle Teel and an RBI single by Binelas, increasing their lead, 8-3.
Reading went on to score two more runs in the game. Marcus Lee Sang earned an RBI in the 6th after hitting into a fielders choice, allowing Bryce Ball to score. In the 7th, Jim Haley singled, followed by a walk by Ball. Kendal Simmons stepped to the plate and delivered a clutch RBI double, scoring Haley. The Sea Dogs lead was cut to 8-5.
In the ninth, Matthew Lugo hit a solo home run for the Sea Dogs, gaining one run back. The Fightins went down 1-2-3 in the ninth to give Portland the series-clinching victory. Brandan Celluci (W, 1-0) earned the win and Ryan Zeferjahn (S, 1) finished the game with two-strong frames.
After an off day tomorrow, the Fightin Phils hit the road to take on the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (New York Mets) starting Tuesday at 6:05 p.m. The series will run through Sunday at Binghamton. Video coverage is available on MiLB TV or the Bally Live App.
The Reading Fightin Phils return to FirstEnergy Stadium on Tuesday, April 23 against the Somerset Patriots (Yankees). The series features a Business Person Special presented by Stratix Systems on Wednesday with a 1:00 pm start. Friday, April 26 and Saturday, April 27 also feature the first Fireworks shows of the season following the game. Tickets are available at rphils.com/tickets, by calling 610-370-BALL or in-person at the Customers Bank Ticket Office.
The 2024 R-Phils season is presented by Pepsi. Follow the Fightin Phils on Twitter @ReadingFightins, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Instagram @Fightins.