On a gorgeous early summer night, the Reading Fightin Phils looked to start a 3-game win streak over the Red Sox-affiliated Portland Sea Dogs.
Max Castillo made his first appearance as a Fightin Phil, joining the roster on Saturday. Although he threw just 2 innings, Castillo looked sharp. He induced 4 pop-ups and struck out 1.
2nd inning Kendall Simmons 1-out double. Trevor Schwecke drove him home with a single to left field giving the Fightins an early 1-0 lead. After an errant pick-off attempt by pitcher Jacob Webb, Bryce Ball lined a double to the rightfield corner to score Schwecke.
The Seadogs manufactured a run in the top of the 3rd thanks to a couple of errors. Noah Skirrow took over for Castillo but had trouble finding the zone, walking 2 in the inning. 2-1 Fightins.
The Red Sox’s 5th best prospect (according to MLB.com) Wikelman Gonzalez took over for Webb. While he allowed 3 hits in his 1st 2 innings, he also struck out 5 Phils.
In the top of the 5th, Skirrow gave up a lead-off double to top prospect Marcelo Mayer. Designated hitter Kyle Teel followed up with an RBI single to tie things up at 2-2. Blaze Jordan continued the hit parade with a single. After inducing a double play, Skirrow got a weak pop-up to end the inning.
Reading Fights Back
In the bottom of the inning, Carlos De La Cruz continued his hot streak with a home run to center field, clearing the nearly 20 ft wall. It was his 7th of the year and 5th in the month of June. It was off of lefty Brendan Cellucci.
Tristan Garnet entered the game in the 6th for the Fightins. He threw 2 shutout innings to keep the score at 3-2. He racked up 4 strikeouts in the process.
After Marcus Lee Sang walked, the Sea Dogs brought in Alex Hoppe in relief. After getting the 1st 2 outs, Otto Kemp broke his hat trick of a day with a 2-run homer to left-centerfield, giving the Fightins a 3-run lead in the 7th.
Eury Ramos got the ball for the 8th inning. He got 3 Sea Dogs swinging to keep the lead at 3.
Tommy McCollum entered in the 9th to secure the win for the Fightins. After walking the first 2 batters, McCollum was able to induce a double play. After another walk, he got the strikeout to secure the 3-game win streak. Fightins sink the Sea Dogs, 5-2.
Photo Credit: Alec Kostival / Philly Sports Network
