Reading Falls as Richmond Takes Lead Late

BOX SCORE

(Reading, PA) - A run in the top of the ninth gave the Richmond Flying Squirrels a 3-2 win over the Reading Fightin Phils on Monday night. With the win, Richmond took five-of-six games in this week's series.

For the first time this week, the Fighting Phils struck first. Johan Rojas blasted a solo home run into left field to put Reading up 1-0 in the first inning. It was the second-straight night that Rojas hit a home run.

Reading starter Josh Hendrickson held Richmond quiet for the first three innings, despite allowing base runners in each frame. The Flying Squirrels finally tagged Hendrickson when Hayden Cantrelle tied up the game at one with a solo home run in the top of the fourth.

Richmond tacked on another run in the top of the fifth. Wade Meckler continued his hot series with a leadoff single, then Marco Luciano singled to put runners on first and second. Brandon Martorano followed with a single to left that scored Meckler and put Richmond up 2-1.

That would end Hendrickson's day. The southpaw went 4.1 innings, allowing five hits, two earned runs, with three walks and four strikeouts. It was Hendrickson's first start with Reading since June 11, as he had a few-week stay with triple-A Lehigh Valley.

Reading and Richmond both threatened multiple times in the middle innings, but neither team was able to manufacture more than a few base runners. But, in the bottom of the seventh inning, Nick Podkul blasted a solo home run to left field to tie the game at two.

It was a crazy top of the ninth inning that included a benches-clearing brawl between the teams. In the inning, the Flying Squirrels took the lead on a wild pitch from Tyler McKay to make it 3-2. Reading would not respond in the bottom of the ninth to end the game.

The win went to Juan Sanchez, who improves to 5-4 on the season, while Tyler McKay suffers the loss to fall to 2-3. With the win, Richmond improves to 5-1 in the second half, while Reading falls to 1-5 in the second half, after dropping five-of-six games this week to open the second half.

Reading hits the road Tuesday for a six-game series at the Somerset Patriots. First pitch Tuesday is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. The pitching matchups have not been announced yet. A video stream of the game is available on MiLB TV or the Bally Live App.

The Fightin Phils return home Friday, July 14, to begin a three-game series against the Portland Sea Dogs. Tickets to all games are still 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.