Fightin Phils Fall in Season Finale

BOX SCORE

(Binghamton, NY) - Three unanswered runs from the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (39-27, 74-61) gave them a 3-2 win over the Reading Fightin Phils (31-37, 59-77) to close out the 2023 regular season. Binghamton also clinched the series victory with the win, going 4-2 this week.

Reading struck first with two runs in the top of the first. Marcus Lee Sang led off with a single on the first pitch of the game. Then Carlos De La Cruz worked a walk to put runners on first and second with no outs for Reading. After a strikeout, Jhailyn Ortiz walked to load the bases with one out. Ethan Wilson followed with a single to left field that scored both Lee Sang and De La Cruz to put Reading up 2-0.

Zach Haake started for Reading and scatted a few hits, but kept Binghamton's offense off the board through the first few frames. The Rumble Ponies loaded the bases against Haake in the bottom of the fourth, but the righty worked out of the jam with no runs scored.

But, the Rumble Ponies would not be held quiet in the fifth. Rhylan Thomas led off the inning with a walk against Haake. Thomas then stole second and moved to third on a wild pitch. Two batters later, Drew Gilbert walked to put runners on the corners with one out. JT Schwartz followed with a double that scored Thomas, but Gilbert was thrown out trying to score.

Still in the fifth, Cristian Hernandez (L, 4-4) entered for Reading. The first batter Hernandez faced, Jeremiah Jackson, singled to center to score Schwartz and make it 2-2. Hernandez returned for the sixth and allowed a one-out single to Mateo Gil, who then stole second with two outs. Rhylan Thomas followed with a single to right field, which scored Gil and put Binghamton up for good, 3-2.

McKinley Moore pitched a scoreless seventh for Reading with two strikeouts, and then Orion Kerkering retired Binghamton in order in the eighth, with a pair of strikeouts.

For Binghamton, Blade Tidwell started, but only lasted one-third of an inning. Behind him, Brendan Hardy tossed 2.2 scoreless frames in relief, with four strikeouts. Jordan Geber (W, 2-0) then entered and pitched six-shutout innings to keep Reading quiet and secure the win for the Rumble Ponies. Geber scatted five hits and struck out four, with no walks issued.

Binghamton's season will continue on Tuesday in game one of the Northeast Division Finals against the Somerset Patriots. The winner will advance to the Eastern League Championship against the winner of the Southwest Division Finals between Erie and Richmond. For Reading, the Fightin Phils 2023 season comes to an end with a 59-77 record, and a 31-37 record in the second half.

The Reading Fightin Phils return to FirstEnergy Stadium to open the 2024 season on April 9, 2024, against the Portland Sea Dogs. Season tickets, mini plans, and group outings for 2024 are now available. For more details, go to rphils.com, call 610-370-BALL, or at the Customers Bank Ticket Office.

The 2023 R-Phils season is presented by Pepsi. Follow the Fightin Phils on Twitter @ReadingFightins, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Instagram @Fightins.