De La Cruz Shines as R-Phils Win Close Contest
BOX SCORE | POR 2, REA 3 The Reading Fightin Phils claimed a 3-2 win in a tight contest against the Portland Sea Dogs (Red Sox) on Wednesday. The victory gives the Fightins a 2-0 series lead and leaves them three games behind the division leaders in the Sea Dogs.
The Reading Fightin Phils claimed a 3-2 win in a tight contest against the Portland Sea Dogs (Red Sox) on Wednesday. The victory gives the Fightins a 2-0 series lead and leaves them three games behind the division leaders in the Sea Dogs. Ethan Lindow got the win and Brian Marconi recorded the save.
Carlos De La Cruz led the way with two hits, including a home run, and a huge catch in the outfield during the top of the ninth inning. Wendell Rijo and Herbert Iser added two hits and a run apiece. The R-Phils connected for 10 hits, their second-straight game with double-digit hits.
Reading got base runners in each of the first three innings, but couldn’t put a run on the board.
De La Cruz broke up the shutout in the fourth frame with a two-run blast to deep right field.
The Sea Dogs equalized in the top of the fifth with a two-run double but Ethan Lindow induced two flyouts and picked up a strikeout to end the inning without any more damage.
The R-Phils took their second lead of the game in the bottom half. Rijo lead off with a single. He stole second base and advanced to third on a passed ball. Jhailyn Ortiz brought Rijo home on a single to shallow left field for the go-ahead run.
Portland threatened in the top of the ninth. The visitors got two runners on base thanks to a walk and an error on a fielder’s choice with one out. A great catch at the wall in left center field by De La Cruz was the second out and Brian Marconi picked up a strikeout to preserve the win.
Lindow turned in another quality start as he went six innings and gave up two runs on three hits. The lefty fanned five in route to earning his fifth win of the season.
Billy Sullivan pitched two solid innings in relief. He kept the Sea Dogs off the board, allowing just one hit and struck out three.
Marconi got his 18th save of the season, good for first in the Eastern League and third in Minor League Baseball. He pitched a scoreless ninth frame and didn’t give up a hit.
The Fightins will play at FirstEnergy Stadium next on August 18 at 7:00 PM.
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