Late Rally Gives Reading First Win of Series

BOX SCORE

(Reading, PA) - A late rally from the Reading Fightin Phils (26-28, 54-68) propelled them to a 4-3 win over the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (21-30, 56-63) on Thursday night. The win is Reading's first of the week, as New Hampshire holds the 2-1 series edge.

New Hampshire struck first with three runs in the top of the third off Reading starter Zach Haake. Damiano Palmegiani led off the frame with a solo shot. With one out, Rainer Nunez doubled and Andres Sosa followed with a single to put runners on second and third. After Michael Turconi walked, the bases were loaded with two outs for Alan Roden. Roden hit a single to score both Nunez and Sosa and make it 3-0 New Hampshire.

Reading responded in the fourth inning. Jhailyn Ortiz led off the inning with a walk and Ethan Wilson followed with a two-run homer to right to cut the deficit to 3-2 Fisher Cats. In the bottom of the sixth, Baron Radcliff crushed a home run to right that traveled 427 feet to even the game at three.

Zach Haake started for Reading and was solid, aside from the three-run second inning. In total, Haake went five innings, allowed five hits, three runs, walked three, and struck out five, but did not factor into the decision. On the other end, CJ Van Eyke went 3.2 innings and allowed two runs in his first Double-A start after coming off the injured list from Tommy John Surgery.

Reading grabbed the lead in the bottom of the seventh. After two quick outs from Alejandro Melean, Carlos De La Cruz lined a doubled down the left-field line and moved to third when Oliver Dunn hit an infield single. Jhailyn Ortiz followed with an infield single of his own to score De La Cruz and make it 4-3 Fightin Phils.

That was all Reading needed to hold on for the win. The bullpen for Reading tossed four-straight scoreless innings, which included two-third of an inning from Carlos Francisco (W, 4-2) and a scoreless ninth from Orion Kerkering (S, 4). For New Hampshire, Alejandro Melean (L, 3-2) allowed two runs on six hits, including the game-tying and go-ahead run to Reading.

Reading and New Hampshire are back in action Friday at 6:45 p.m. LHP Matt Osterberg is scheduled to start for Reading, and RHP Chad Dallas will start for New Hampshire. Pregame coverage is underway 6:30 p.m. and can be listened to at rphils.com/radio.

Friday night will each feature postgame fireworks. Saturday is 90's night and a tribute to Springfield's Favorite Family, while the R-Phils will wear special Springfield themed jerseys. The night will conclude with the final Carpenter MEGA Blast Fireworks show of the season, the largest in stadium history. The series concludes Sunday with an appearance by the Phillie Phanatic. Tickets to all games 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.