(Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils (24-17; 54-56) fell to the visiting Chesapeake Baysox (23-18; 52-57) 3-2. The series is now even at one game a piece and Reading still holds a two-game lead atop the Eastern League standings.
Aron Estrada wasted no time getting the night started launching a first pitch homen run to put the Baysox out to a 1-0 lead. Chesapeake added another on an RBI single from Frederick Bencosme to lead by two.
Zeros filled the scoreboard in both the second and third innings as both starters settled into their respective grooves.
Chesapeake tacked on another run in the top of the fourth through a Fernando Peguero sacrifice fly to extend their lead to three.
Reading was held hitless through four innings but drew two walks. Baysox starter Joseph Dzierwa collected seven strikeouts in that span.
Fightins starter Luke Russo was finished after five innings of work. Russo allowed three earned runs on 4 hits while picking up six strikeouts, bringing his season total over 100 to 105. This is his second season having over 100 punchouts in the minor leagues.
Pedro Leon broke a no-hit bid in the sixth on a single to left field, but the R-Phils could not muster any runs in the inning
Evan Gates threw two scoreless innings out of the Fightin bullpen collecting four strikeouts and not allowing a hit.
Reading threatened again in the bottom of the seventh with runners on the corners but were unable to push across a run.
Wen-Hui Pan pitched a scoreless eighth grabbing a strikeout. Pan has thrown a scoreless inning in each of his last three appearances.
The Fightins finally got the goose egg off the board in the bottom of the eighth. Raider Tello set the tone with a leadoff double. Tello was later driven in by a Raylin Heredia single through the left side. Alex Binelas added another with a groundout which scored a run, reducing the guests' lead to only one heading into the ninth.
Dzierwa (3-1) grabs the win. The lefty tossed six innings only allowing one hit and grabbing seven punchouts. His Double-A ERA dips down to 1.98 as a result.
Russo (9-7) is given the loss. The 25 year-olds era climbed to 4.34, the highest it has been since July 1st.
Sebastian Gongora picked up the rare three inning save out of the Chesapeake bullpen for his first career save. Gongora allowed two runs on four hits and punched three batters' tickets during his work.
Both teams only combined for 10 hits on the night showcasing both pitching staff’s abilities.
Chesapeake was active on the basepaths swiping five bags throughout the course of the game.
Reading returns to the field on Thursday against the Chesapeake Baysox at 7 p.m. LHP Adam Seminaris is scheduled to start for Reading, and he will go opposite RHP Pat Reilly for Chesapeake. Pregame radio coverage is underway at 6:40 p.m. on the Reading Fighitn Phils Radio Network. A video stream is available via MiLB TV or the Bally Live App.
The Fightin Phils remain home through Sunday against the Chesapeake Baysox, Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. Thursday and Friday both feature fireworks, with Thursday's show sponsored by Recovery Awareness Night thanks to Berks Counseling Center and SOS Berks, and Friday's by PSECU. Saturday is the 28th Annual Harley Night with an R-Phils Harley Game Cap Giveaway for the first 2,500 adults, along with postgame fireworks, thanks to American Crane and Equipment Corporation. The series ends Sunday with an R-Phils Team Photo for the first 2,000 kids, with a pre-game player autograph session for kids at 4 PM, thanks to Berkshire Hathaway.
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.