Walk-off dooms Fightins in extras

Reading drops their first series of the season

May 1, 2016

The Fightin Phils took leads into the bottom of the ninth and tenth innings but it wouldn't be enough. Wendell Rijo hit a walk-off two-run double off Jeremy Bleich in the bottom of the tenth inning to give Portland (8-16) a 7-6 win over the Fightins (14-9).

Rhys Hoskins wasted no time in extended his hitting streak to 18 games. He hit a solo home run off SeaDogs starter Kevin McAvoy in the top of the first inning to give Reading a 1-0 lead. The home run was his fifth of the season.

Portland sent all nine batters to the plate against Ricardo Pinto in the bottom of the first inning. An error by Hoskins tied the game at 1-1. Jordan Betts hit a two-run single to give the SeaDogs a 3-1 lead.

The Fightin Phils stormed back in the top of the third inning against McAvoy by scoring three runs to take a 4-3 lead. Harold Martinez hit a RBI double that was followed by a RBI triple from Roman Quinn. Quinn then scored on a wild pitch by McAvoy. McAvoy left the game after 3 1/3 innings for Mitch Atkins.

Reading got a run off Atkins in the top of the fifth inning to take a 5-3 lead. Dylan Cozens hit a RBI single to score Jake Fox who got on base via a double. Pinto left the game after six innings as he allowed three unearned runs off six hits and three walks with two strikeouts. Reinier Roibal tossed a scoreless bottom of the seventh inning.

Edubray Ramos allowed two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning as Portland would tie the game at 5-5. Henry Ramos scored on a throwing error by Angelo Mora and Jordan Weems tied the game with a sacrifice fly.

Reading took a 6-5 lead in the top of the tenth inning as Christian Marrero walked with the bases loaded to score Aaron Brown.

The Fightin Phils continue their road trip on Monday as they'll begin a four-game series with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium. First pitch is at 5:35 pm. Fans can listen to the game on fightins.com beginning at 5:30 pm.

Tickets for the 2016 season are available online at Fightins.com, by phone at 610-370-BALL, and in-person at FirstEnergy Stadium.