Fightins Slug Their Way to Big Win over Portland

BOX SCORE

(Portland, ME) - Four home runs and plenty of escaped jams propelled the Reading Fightin Phils (7-13; 38-50) to a 6-5 nail-biting win over the Portland Sea Dogs (11-7; 47-38) on Saturday night at Hadlock Field. With the win, Reading evens the series at one-game a piece entering Sunday's game.

Reading began the game with five runs in the top of the first inning. Gabriel Rincones Jr. launched a solo home run in his first at bat off the injured list to make it 1-0. Caleb Ricketts and Carson Taylor followed with walks, which then led to a three-run home run from Otto Kemp to make it 4-0. Two batters later, Leandro Pineda hit a solo home run to complete the five-run frame.

Portland got one run back with a solo homer from Phillip Sikes in the bottom of the second inning. The Sea Dogs then added two more in the third thanks to three doubles from Marcelo Mayer, Kyle Teel and Blaze Jordan. That made it 5-3, with Reading still on top. Portland then made it 5-4 with a solo homer from Roman Anthony in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Reading would tack on an insurance run when Carson Taylor hit the Fightin Phils' fourth home run of the night in the top of the fifth inning, making it 6-4 Reading. Portland then got one more back when Kyle Teel hit a solo home run to make it 6-5, with Reading still leading. The Fightin Phils bullpen worked out of jams in the final three innings to keep it 6-5 and hold on for the victory.

Robinson Pina (W, 10-4) earned his 10th victory with five innings of work, allowing five runs on eight hits, with four strikeouts. Jacob Webb (L, 6-2) did not make it out of the first inning. Andrew Schultz (S, 3) worked around trouble in the ninth inning to secure the save.

The Fightin Phils return to the field Sunday at the Portland Sea Dogs, Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, at 1 p.m. RHP Eiberson Castellano will be on the mound for Reading, opposite RHP Hunter Dobbins for Portland. Pregame coverage is underway at 12:40 p.m. on the Reading Fightin Phils Radio Network. A video stream is available via MiLB TV or the Bally Live App.

Reading returns home from Tuesday, July 30 though Sunday, August 4, against the Hartford Yard Goats, Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. Tuesday is the 21st Annual Morning Game, with the first 2,000 adults receiving a Cream Chipped Beef Hat, thanks to Reading Hospital. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday all feature fireworks. Wednesday's show is presented by Beneficial Society Victor Emmanuel II. Thursday's is sponsored by Riverfront Federal Credit Union and Friday's is thanks to PSECU. Saturday is a Tribute to Harry Potter, with the R-Phils wearing Harry Potter Jerseys. The night will end with Carpenter MEGA Blast Fireworks, presented by T-Mobile. The series ends Sunday with a Phillie Phanatic Appearance, presented by Berks County Intermediate Unit.

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.