by Per Jake Starr (jstarr@fightins.com
The Fightin Phils (26-34) pushed past the Portland Sea Dogs (33-27), 7-6 on Thursday night. Before the game, the Philadelphia Phillies announced the rehab assignment of Brandon Marsh on Thursday night, who went 3-for-5 with three singles and a run scored.
The Sea Dogs struck first in the first inning. After a two-out single by Kyle Teel, Blaze Jordan hit a two-run homer to give Portland a 2-0 lead. They tacked on another run in the second as Matt Donlan hit an RBI single to drive in Phillip Sikes. Portland took a 3-0 lead in the third with an RBI single by Eddinson Paulino.
The Fightins got on the board in the bottom of the third. With runners on the corners, Kendall Simmons hit an RBI single to bring home Brandon Marsh. Reading added two runs in the fifth inning. After Ethan Wilson was hit by a pitch, Robert Moore blasted his fourth home run of the year, a two-run shot. The Fightins made it a one-run game, as they trailed 4-3.
The Sea Dogs earned the run back in the top of the sixth as Tyler McDonough drove in a run with an RBI single. In the bottom of the sixth, the Fightins started a rally. With Cade Fergus and Carlos De La Cruz on base, Otto Kemp ripped his first Double-A homer- a three-run shot to give the Fightins a 6-5 lead. The Sea Dogs tied the game up at six with a sacrifice flyout by Eddinson Paulino. The Fightins retook a 7-6 lead in the bottom of the seventh, thanks to a wild pitch by Sea Dogs pitcher Theo Denlinger, allowing Moore to score. The Fightins added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth, as Marcus Lee Sang hit a pinch-hit opposite-field solo home run.
Cristian Hernandez closed the game for the Fightins and earned his second save of the year.
The Fightin Phils return to FirstEnergy Stadium on Friday at 7 p.m. against the Portland Sea Dogs, Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. RHP Robinson Pina will start for Reading, and TBA will start for Portland. Pregame radio coverage is underway at 6:45 p.m. on the Reading Fightin Phils Radio Network. A video stream is available via MiLB TV or the Bally Live App.
Friday features a fireworks show sponsored by Silverline Trailers in Pottstown. Saturday will be a Tribute to DC Comics Batman, as the Fightin Phils wear special Batman jerseys. Saturday night will end with Carpenter MEGA Blast Fireworks, the largest fireworks show in stadium history. Saturday’s show is presented by Penn State Health St. Joseph. The series ends Sunday with a Father’s Day R-Phils Hawaiian Shirt for the first 2,000 men older than 18, presented by Redner’s Markets and Campbell’s.
To buy tickets, call 610-370-BALL, go to rphils.com/tickets, or in person at the Customers Bank Ticket Office. The Fightin Phils Brentwood Industries Team Store is open both in-person and online 24/7 at rphils.com/shop.
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.
JAKE STARR
READING FIGHTIN PHILS
PR/MEDIA RELATIONS MANAGER AND BROADCASTER
FIRSTENERGY STADIUM
610-406-4559
