Timely Hits and Bullpen Dominance Carries Fightin Phils to Huge Sunday Win

BOX SCORE

(Hartford, CT) – Timely hits and a lock down effort from the bullpen led the Reading Fightin Phils (36-26; 66-65) to a 6-2 win over the Hartford Yard Goats (25-38; 64-67) on Sunday afternoon at Dunkin' Park.

Reading got things going in the top of the first inning. After a Bryan Rincon lead off walk, Pedro Leon lifted his 14th home run of the season to put the visitors up 2-0. Raylin Heredia followed with a walk and Raider Tello clubbed his third Double-A homer to make it a 4-0 edge.

Braydon Tucker was dialed in early for the Fightin Phils as the righty sent down seven Yard Goat hitters down on strikes. But, Hartford chased the starter from the game with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth frame.

After two quick outs in the bottom of the fourth, Dyan Jorge singled and Zach Kokoska followed with his 13th home run of the season to bring Hartford within two. Sam Carlson (W, 2-0) entered for Tucker and ended the frame, and ultimately did not allow a run over 1.1 innings of work.

Sam Weatherly (L, 2-6) was tagged early for Hartford and the opener lasted just 1,2 innings before being lifted for Cade Denton. Denton kept the R-Phils bats quiet, not allowing any runs over 5.1 innings of work.

Mavis Graves followed Carlson with two-scoreless frames and then Christian McGowan worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth when he induced a two-out fly out with bases loaded. Reading got two insurance runs in the top of the eighth, thanks to a two-run hit from Carson DeMartini, then Estibenzon Jimenez slammed the door shut in the ninth.

Leon, Tello and DeMartini all led Reading with two hits a piece. The Fightin Phils extended their division lead to three games with the win and will await the results of Somerset's and Binghamton's contests on Sunday.

Reading returns to the field on Tuesday against the Erie SeaWolves at 6:45 p.m. Pregame radio coverage is underway at 6:25 p.m. on the Reading Fightin Phils Radio Network. 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 four, with six 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.