(Reading, PA) - Four unanswered runs from the Reading Fightin Phils (34-24; 64-63) led them to a 5-3 win over the Hartford Yard Goats (23-36; 62-65) on Wednesday night from Dunkin' Park. The win evened up this week's series at one game a piece.
It was a bullpen game for the Fightin Phils who sent Evan Gates to the mound to open. Gates fired a season-high three innings, allowing one run on four hits, with three strikeouts.
Reading got on the board first off Hartford starter Bryson Hammer. Bryan Rincon led off the game with a walk, then he moved to second on a ground out from Dante Nori. Raylin Heredia then singled to move Rincon to third and Raider Tello followed with a sacrifice fly to score Rincon and make it 1-0.
Hartford responded off Gates in the bottom of the frame. Andy Perez led off the inning with his 29th double of the season and moved to third on a single from Jared Thomas. Jack O'Dowd then singled home Perez to even the score at one.
Hammer settled in from there for Hartford, as the southpaw allowed just the one run on two hits over five innings, with five strikeouts and four walks. Reese Dutton followed Gates and surrendered two runs, both coming in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Thomas led off the sixth frame with a double and Jacob Humphrey followed with a walk. Mavis Graves (W, 1-0) inherited two runners on and surrendered a single to O'Dowd to load the bases. Zach Kokoska singled to put the Yard Goats up by a run, then Cole Messina walked to make it 3-1.
From there, it was all Reading, as it scored two runs in each of the seventh and eighth innings. Aroon Escobar led off the seventh with a walk off Hartford reliever Davis Palermo (L, 3-5). Bryson Ware followed with his 14th home run of the season to tie the score at three. Nori then led off the eighth with a walk and later scored on a two-out double from Carson DeMartini. Escobar then followed that with a single to plate DeMartini and make it 5-3.
Wen-Hui Pan entered for the home half of the eighth and struck out two over a scoreless inning, then Estibenzon Jimenez (S, 7) struck out a batter in a scoreless ninth to secure the victory for Reading.
Somerset was victorious over Erie tonight, so Reading's lead over the Patriots remains at 2.5 games with 10 contests to play. Binghamton is 3.5 games back and Portland is 5.5 back following the end of play tonight.
Reading returns to the field on Thursday against the Hartford Yard Goats at 6:30 p.m. RHP Gage Wood is set to start for Reading, and he will go opposite RHP Jackson Cox for Hartford. A video stream is available via MiLB TV or the Bally Live App.
The Fightin Phils return home from Tuesday, September 8, through Sunday, September 13, against the Erie Seawolves, Double-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. On Tuesday, the first 1,000 fans receive a Pride Night R-Phils 32-ounce cup (Kutztown University and LGBTQ+ Resource Center at Kutztown University). Wednesday features a Game-Worn Pinstripe Jersey Auction/Raffle, while Thursday will be a Throwback Jersey Auction/Raffle. Friday night is a Prost Oktoberfest Tribute with fireworks (Savage Auto Group). It will be another Prost Oktoberfest Tribute on Saturday, with Carpenter MEGA Blast Fireworks (Penske). The series and regular season end on Sunday with Dinosaur Day, featuring Interactive Dinosaur Exhibits.
If the Fightin Phils make the Eastern League Playoffs, they will open the first postseason series on Tuesday, September 15 against the Hartford Yard Goats, Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies. Reading's magic number is eight, with 10 games to play.
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.