Reading Welcomes Sea Dogs for Six-Game Series  

(Reading, PA) - The Fightin Phils (25-32) will open a six-game set against the Portland Sea Dogs, (31-26) the Double-A affiliate of the Boston Red Sox at FirstEnergy Stadium on Tuesday. This will be the Fightins third of four series against the Sea Dogs this season. So far, Portland holds this year's series edge 9-3.

The Fightins continue their homestand after taking four of six games to the Harrisburg Senators last week. Reading is coming off a strong performance both offensively and on the mound. Marcus Lee Sang and Carlos De La Cruz are forming a strong 1-2 punch at the top of the Reading lineup. In game one of a doubleheader on Saturday, the duo combined to go seven-for-eight, with three runs, two doubles, one home run and five RBI in Reading’s win. Lee Sang collected a Double-A high four hits, and it was the third time in his career he had four hits in a game. De La Cruz’s three hits Saturday marked his third-straight multi-hit game. As of the end of game one, De La Cruz was 7-11 (.636), with five runs, three doubles, two homers and seven RBI on the week. Other Reading bats that heated up last week were Casey Martin who homered on Saturday and Arturo De Freitas who slugged his first Double-A home run. Bryce Ball had two hits and a run scored on Saturday, and Robert Moore matched a season-high two doubles and also scored a run last Friday. Moore now leads Reading with 11 doubles.

The Fightins also had fantastic outings from their starting pitchers last week. Robinson Pina pitched a seven inning complete game shutout on Saturday going seven innings, allowed two hits, no runs, zero walks and struck out six Senators hitters. On Thursday night, Lachlan Wells retired 16 straight Senators and had five strikeouts, through five and a third innings until allowing one hit and one earned run in the game. Matt Osterberg also had a solid outing on Friday night, going

The Sea Dogs come to Reading after splitting a six-game series with the Akron Rubber Ducks. Roman Anthony crushed his second homer of the series and fifth of the season on Sunday. Anthony went two-for-four to extend a fourteen-game on-base streak while Marcelo Mayer (1-3) extended a thirteen-game on-base streak. Robert Kwiatkowski earned his seventh win which now ties for the most in Double-A. Felix Cepeda earned his Double-A leading eleventh save.

RHP Konnor Ash gets the start for Reading on Tuesday, and he will go opposite RHP Isaac Coffey for Portland. Reading's starter, LHP Lachlan Wells and RHP Hunter Dobbins will match up on Wednesday. Thursday LHP Matt Osterberg will face RHP CJ Liu, and RHP Robinson Pina takes the mound Friday, and Portland's starter is yet to be announced. On Saturday, pitching matchups are to be determined. In Sunday's series finale, RHP Efrain Contreras will face righty, Isaac Coffey.

Tuesday features a Yuengling R-Phils T-Shirt for the first 1,500 adults older than 21-years old, thanks to Yuengling. 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.