Fisher Cats Pull Ahead Late as Fightins Fall

BOX SCORE

(Reading, PA) - A seven-run ninth inning from the New Hampshire Fisher Cats 23-30, 58-63) helped them pull away en route to a 12-3 win over the Reading Fightin Phils (26-30, 54-70) on Saturday night. The win gave New Hampshire the series win as they lead 4-1. Reading will look to salvage the series Sunday.

David Parkinson started and tossed another quality start for the Fightin Phils. The lefty went six innings, and allowed two runs on six hits, with six strikeouts and three walks issued. He did not factor in the no decision, but left with the lead after the sixth inning.

Reading wasted zero time striking first as Marcus Lee Sang drove the first pitch he saw from New Hampshire starter Luis Quinones to right field for a leadoff home run. It was the fourth leadoff home run for Reading this season and the first to come at home. But, the Fisher Cats struck back in the top of the second when Rainer Nunez launched a solo home run to even the game at one.

The Fisher Cats would then grab the lead in the top of the fourth. After two quick outs from Parkinson, he hit Phil Clarke to put the catcher aboard with two outs. Jeffrey Wehler capitalized with a triple to knock home Clarke and make it 2-1 New Hampshire.

The Fightin Phils then rallied back in the bottom of the fifth inning, still down one. With one out, Nick Ward lined a double to left-center field, then Herbert Iser poked a single to center. Ward would score when center fielder Devonte Brown bobbled the ball and that tied the game at two. After a Marcus Lee Sang walk and Carlos De La Cruz pop out, Oliver Dunn hit a ground ball that snuck through the middle and played Iser. Dunn hustled out a double, but was stranded when Lee Sang was caught trying to score on a wild pitch.

New Hampshire remained quiet until the seventh. A two-out hit by pitch by Jordi Martinez (L, 0-1) put Alan Roden aboard. Miguel Hiraldo followed with a double to score Roden, then Nunez hit his second home run of the night to make it 5-3 Fisher Cats.

After a scoreless eighth, New Hampshire broke the game wide open in the ninth inning off Andrew Baker and Konnor Ash. Ten Fisher Cats' hitters came to the plate as seven runs scored. The inning featured a single from Roden, sacrifice fly from Hiraldo, single from Clarke and triple from Riley Tirotta. Five Fisher Cats walked in the inning as well. They led 12-3 after the frame. Reading would go down in the ninth to end the game with that score.

Luis Quinones started for New Hampshire and tossed 4.2 innings and allowed three runs on three hits, with four strikeouts and three walks. The Fisher Cats bullpen was strong again, combining to throw 4.1 innings of no-run ball, while allowing three hits. Troy Watson (W, 3-6) went 2.1 innings and allowed no runs, one hits and struck out two R-Phils hitters.

Reading and New Hampshire are back in action Sunday at 5:15 p.m. for the final game of this week's series. LHP Josh Hendrickson is scheduled to start for Reading, and L**HP Ricky Tiedemann** will start for New Hampshire. Pregame coverage is underway 5 p.m. and can be listened to at rphils.com/radio.

The series concludes Sunday with an appearance by the Phillie Phanatic. Tickets are available at rphils.com/tickets, by calling 610-370-BALL or in person 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.