(Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils (56-61, 26-21) blew out the Portland Sea Dogs (60-56, 25-23) by a score of 11-1 on Thursday night. This marks the Fightin Phils’ first win of the week, as the Sea Dogs lead the series 2-1.
Reading scored the first run of the game in the opening inning, as Raider Tello pulled a single to left field to score Bryan Rincon. The Fightin Phils loaded the bases with one out, but Mark Kolozsvary and Bryson Ware went down in order to leave three baserunners stranded.
The R-Phils doubled up their lead in the fourth inning, as Nick Biddison cued a flair shot off Yoelin Cespedes’ glove to score Bryson Ware. This was the second time Biddison reached base safely, this time on a play that pushed the Fightins’ lead to 2-0.
Portland got on the board in the bottom of the fifth on a no-doubter from Will Turner (14), cutting the lead to 2-1.
The Fightin Phils extended their lead in the seventh inning, as Rincon ripped a double off the top of the Maine Monster to score Ware. This marked Rincon’s 22nd double of the season, the second-highest mark on the team behind Raylin Heredia. This pushed the team’s advantage to 3-1.
Al Pedrique’s squad piled on the scoring in the eighth frame. Ware stepped up with the bases loaded and drew a walk before Luke Ritter pushed a two-run single up the middle.
Biddison then rolled a ground ball up the third base line, and the ball bounced off of the bag and into the outfield to plate Ware. This built the R-Phils lead all the way to 7-1.
Reading put up another four-spot in the ninth inning to take a double-digit lead. Ware started the scoring off by pulling a single into left field, sending Tello trotting home. Ritter then stepped up and walked with the bases loaded to keep the line moving. Biddison elevated a sacrifice fly of his own to score Mark Kolazsvary before a Rincon double (his 23rd double of the year) to score Ware and finish the scoring.
Cody Bowker (1-0) got the win for the Fightin Phils, tossing five innings of one-run ball with six strikeouts in his Double-A debut. The Vanderbilt alum allowed two baserunners and a single solo homer in what was a spectacular debut.
Hayden Mullins (3-5) took the loss for the Sea Dogs, as the southpaw allowed a pair of runs (one earned) over five innings with eight strikeouts in the contest.
Rincon led all Fightins hitters, as the shortstop went 4-for-6 with a run scored, two doubles and two RBI. Ware was 3-for-4 with four runs scored, while Tello went 3-for-5 on a night where the R-Phils accumulated 14 total hits.
The win snaps a four-game losing streak and bumps Reading’s division lead back to a game and a half over Portland.
Reading returns to the field on Friday against the Portland Sea Dogs at 6 p.m. RHP Gage Wood will start for Reading, and he will go opposite LHP Devin Futrell for Portland. A video stream is available via MiLB TV or the Bally Live App.
The Fightin Phils return home from Tuesday, August 25, through Sunday, August 30, against the Binghamton Rumble Ponies, Double-A affiliate of the New York Mets. Tuesday is the 23rd Annual Morning Game, with the first 2,000 adults getting a Reading Iced Coffees Game Camp (Reading Hospital). Wednesday is a Retro Animation Tribute with "Mickey Mouse" co-branded merchandise available. Thursday and Friday both feature fireworks. Thursday's show is presented by PA Virtual Charter School, Alvernia University, Members 1st Federal Credit Union, Berks Technical Institute, and Firetree Ltd. Saturday is a Post-Game Drone Show (Blue Ridge Remodeling) celebrating 60 Seasons of Phillies Affiliation and Celebrating "Swifties." The series ends Sunday with an appearance by the Phillie Phanatic (Berks County Intermediate Unit).
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 2026 R-Phils season is presented by Pepsi. Follow the Fightin Phils on Twitter @ReadingFightins, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Instagram @Fightins.