Reading wins playoff opener, Clearwater eliminated

Brock Stassi, image- Jay Floyd

In the opening game of the Eastern League Division Series, the Double-A Reading Fightins dropped the Binghamton Mets by a score of 9-4.

League MVP Brock Stassi led an 18-hit barrage, collecting a double and a three-run home run while walking three times and driving in four total runs while outfielder Dylan Cozens launched a pair of doubles and drove in three runs.

Additionally, shortstop J.P. Crawford, catcher Andrew Knapp and third baseman Harold Martinez each notched three safeties.

Righty pitcher Zach Eflin notched the win with seven strong innings, allowing two earned runs on six hits, while striking out four and walking one.

Initially, the contest was delayed about an hour by rain. The teams will face each other again in Binghamton on Thursday in game 2 of the best-of-three series.

In the Florida State League, the Class A Advanced Clearwater Threshers were swept in a best-of-three series by Daytona.

Newly acquired righty John Richy allowed two runs (one earned) in 6 2/3 innings to take the loss.

The only Threshers run in the 2-1 defeat was scored on a Rhys Hoskins solo homer. FSL batting champion Willians Astudillo went 2-for-4 in the loss.

Clearwater headed into the series as the favorite, having won their division in the first and second halves of the regular season. Daytona is the North division wild card entrant.

The Class A short-season Williamsport Crosscutters were rained out on Wednesday in their playoff series against the West Virginia Black Bears.