Three Homers Aren't Enough as Reading Falls to Portland in Series Opener

BOX SCORE

(Reading, PA) - The Fightin Phils (25-33) fell to the Portland Sea Dogs, 9-5 (32-26) in the series opener on Tuesday night.

Portland scored first in the third inning. After a lead-off triple off the bat of Roman Anthony, Kristian Campbell hit an RBI double to bring home Anthony. The Sea Dogs took a 1-0 lead. The inning continued after Reading starter, Konnor Ash was relieved from the game after 2.1 innings. Righty Zach Haake came into the game with a runner on second. The Sea Dogs tacked on two more runs, which were charged to the line of Ash. Eddinson Paulino walked and stole second base, and scored on a two-run single from Alex Binelas. The Sea Dogs added on and led 3-0.

In the bottom of the third inning, the Fightins earned a run back thanks to the hot bat of Carlos De La Cruz. With a runner on second, he hit an RBI single allowing Cade Fergus to score. The Sea Dogs came right back in the top of the fourth, tacking on two more runs. With runners on second and third, Campbell hit a two run single, driving in Fraymi De Leon and Anthony. The Sea Dogs increased their lead 5-1.

In the bottom of the fifth, the Fightins used the long ball to rally behind the Sea Dogs. Fergus led off the inning with his first career Double-A home run. A few batters later, De La Cruz hammered a solo home run 414 feet to left field, and 118 mph off the bat. The Fightins found themselves within two runs, 5-3.

The Sea Dogs broke the game open in the seventh, as they scored three runs in the inning. The first run crossed the plate on a wild pitch by Fightins pitcher, Luis Ortiz. With a runner on third base, Alex Binelas homered to left field, giving the Sea Dogs an 8-3 edge. The Fightins scored one run in the bottom of the eighth, as Robert Moore doubled, allowing Otto Kemp to score. However, the Sea Dogs earned the run back in the top of the ninth on an RBI double by Tyler Miller. Carlos De La Cruz blasted his second homer of the day in the bottom of the ninth, as he went 3-for-4 with three hits including two homers, three RBI, two runs scored and a stolen base in the Fightins loss to the Sea Dogs.

The Fightin Phils return to FirstEnergy Stadium on Wednesday at 7 p.m. against the Portland Sea Dogs, Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. LHP Lachlan Wells will start for Reading, and RHP Hunter Dobbins 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.

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday features fireworks shows. Wednesday is sponsored by your local Kia Dealers, Thursday's is presented by PA Virtual Charter School, Members 1st Credit Union, Reading Truck and Berks Technical Institute. Friday's show is 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.