Skip to main content

Reading Downs Trenton in EL Playoff Opener

A trio of Reading Phillies launched solo home runs to power the club to a 4-2 victory in the opening game of the best-of-five Eastern League division series at FirstEnergy Stadium on Wednesday night.

Trenton kicked off the scoring in the top of the 4th, when Reading starter Austin Hyatt allowed a two-run homer to left fielder Ramon Flores, who was promoted to Trenton this week after spending the season with Class A Advanced Tampa.

Reading clapped back in the 5th inning when a lead-off homer by minor league veteran Jake Fox and a run scoring ground out by Jiwan James knotted the game at two runs apiece.

The right-handed Hyatt, the Phillies' 15th round draft choice in 2009, went 6 2/3 innings and allowed just those two earned runs, while striking out four and walking two in the process.

After Hyatt walked two batters in the 7th, righty reliever Tyler Knigge (pictured) took over, quickly inducing a double play grounder from Thunder first baseman Kevin Mahoney. The 23-year-old, who was the Phils' 12th round draft pick in 2010, also pitched a scoreless 8th, despite surrendering two singles, and was in line for the win.

Catcher Tommy Joseph, acquired by the Phillies from San Francisco in the Hunter Pence trade, slammed a lead-off home run in the bottom of the 7th inning off of Thunder ace Brandon Marshall. That blast was immediately followed with another round tripper by right fielder Leandro Castro.

Justin Friend, the R-Phils' righty bullpen stud would come on to pitch the 9th, staying perfect in 25 save opportunities at the Double-A level this year. The 26-year-old Friend was a minor league Rule 5 draft pick out of the Oakland organization back in 2010.

Although they were named as co-champions of the EL in 2001 when the finals were cancelled, following the terrorist attacks on our nation, the R-Phils have not won a league championship since 1995.

Thursday's game 2 match up will feature right-hander Trevor May (10-13, 4.87 ERA) against left-hander Shaeffer Hall (9-10, 3.67 ERA).
_________________________________________

You can follow PhoulBallz on Twitter by clicking HERE.

Also connect with PhoulBallz on Facebook by clicking HERE.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Jersey Shore clinches playoff berth on final day of regular season

Ottto Kemp, image- Jay Floyd With an extra-inning victory over first-half division champions Hudson Valley on Sunday, the Class A Advanced Jersey Shore BlueClaws clinched the team's first playoff appearance since 2018, winning the second-half division title. Key performers in the BlueClaws' clincher were righty hurler Jason Ruffcorn, who threw three innings of relief to earn the victory and third baseman Otto Kemp, notched three hits, a walk, two stolen bases and plated the game winning run in the 11th inning on a sacrifice fly.  On top of that, Kemp, who turned 24-years-old on Saturday, made an absolute game-saving defensive play to help the club hold their lead in the bottom of the 11th frame. One of Jersey Shore's most consistent performers all season long has been right-handed reliever Cam Wynne.  The Phillies' 20th round draft pick in 2021 out of Nebraska.  In 34 appearances, one start, the 24-year-old tallied a 1-1 record with one save, a 2.44 ERA and a .190 batti

PhoulBallz Interview: BlueClaws OF Justin Crawford

Justin Crawford w/ junior reporter Evan At the age of 19, outfielder Justin Crawford has played his way into the conversation of being considered as one of baseball's top prospects. The son of four-time MLB All-Star Carl Crawford, Justin has looked every bit as impressive as his position as the 17th overall draft selection last year would have most fans thinking he should be.  He opened the season with Class A Clearwater where, in 69 games, he notched a .344/.399/.478 slash line.  And since mid-August when he was promoted to Class A Advanced Jersey Shore, the younger Crawford has posted a .300/.364/.440 line.  He's also stolen 44 bases in 52 attempts overall. And while the BlueClaws enter the final week of the regular season 1/2 game out of first place in their division, I spoke with Justin Crawford about the team's hopes of making the postseason for the first time since 2018. I also asked Justin about the similarities and differences between his skillset and his father'

RHP Pipkin headed to AFL after hot August

After completing what was easily the best month of his career, righty hurler Dominic Pipkin is ready to face the tough competition of the prominent Arizona Fall Leage.   Pipkin, who was the Phillies' 9th round draft selection in 2018, has had moderate success in his five years as a pro, posting a 4.93 ERA, a 7.6 K/9 mark and a .260 batting average against mostly at the lower levels on the minors. After missing time this year with an unspecified ailment, the six-foot-four 170-pounder proved to be healthy as he dominated AA competition in nine appearances with the Reading Fightin Phils during August.  Pipkin's impressive production resulted in a 1-0 record with a save and a 0.96 ERA while striking out eight and walking three in 9 1/3 innings. The California native says his efforts to improve have helped him touch 100 MPH on the radar gun, while his fastball velocity is mostly around 96 MPH.   Pipkin's arsenal includes that improved fastball as well as a slider while his curve