(Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils (63-62, 33-23) were defeated by the Binghamton Rumble Ponies (56-70, 29-28) 14-5 in the last game of a six-game series. The Fightin Phils still clinched a series victory over Binghamton, taking four-of-six games.
Reading made Rumble Ponies starter Gabe Davis work in the first inning. Following a Bryan Rincon walk, Dante Nori saw 12 pitches en route to a walk of his own.
For Rincon, the walk extended his on-base streak to 26 games. Sunday marked the end of an excellent August for the Phillies fifth ranked prospect. Entering Sunday, Rincon ranked 2nd in OPS, 1st in walks, 1st in OBP, and 4th in hits in the month in the Eastern League.
Following two strikeouts and a third Davis walk, an Aroon Escobar groundout with the bases loaded quelled the early Fightins rally on the 38th pitch of the inning.
The Rumble Ponies got on the board first following a Corey Collins RBI (22) opposite-field double in the top of the second. A Jamari Baylor (2) sac fly and another RBI double, this time by Mets number four prospect Mitch Voit, put Binghamton ahead 3-0.
Carson Dimartini led off the bottom of the second with a walk, stole second base (15), and later came around to score on a Raider Tello double play.
In the bottom of the third, the Eastern League’s home run leader Alex Binelas came to the plate. Binelas, who hadn’t homered since a two-homer game on August 11th, sent his 26th of the season high over the right field wall at 108 miles per hour to tie the game at 3.
Seminaris appeared to have settled in after his shaky top of the second, putting up zeros across the third and fourth. Unfortunately, in the fifth inning he ran into Voit again.
After his double hit off the wall in the 3rd inning, Voit this time left no doubt, sending a ball crashing off the facing of the roof of the Redners Event Center to give the Ponies a two-run lead. It was Voit's second AA homer, both of which occurred at First Energy Stadium.
Seminaris’ start concluded after the fifth inning after recording eight strikeouts, two walks, and five earned runs on seven hits.
After starting 1-7 in scoring position to start the game, it appeared Reading’s woes would continue when Raider Tello skied a routine fly ball to left-center field with runners on first and second.
Both flying toward the ball, Collins and Ponies center fielder Chris Suero almost collided before neither made a play on the ball, allowing it to land in the outfield and roll to the wall, allowing two unearned runs to score, which tied the game at five.
While the outfield blunder appeared to put Reading in position for another late-inning comeback, the back-and-forth pattern of the contest flipped on its head as the latter third of the game commenced.
After retiring the first four batters he faced, Reading reliever Braydon Tucker walked Voit, who scored a batter later on a Marco Vargas (25) RBI double.
Mets number one prospect Jefferson Rojas strode up to the plate next, and promptly deposited a ball over the left field wall on the first pitch he saw. Rojas’ homer marked his third of the series, as well as his sixth homer in 11 games. Rojas finished the game 4-for-5, with two extra-base hits and 5 RBI.
Ponies right fielder Eli Serrano III (25) added an RBI double of his own off Tucker to extend the opposing lead to 4.
The Ponies tacked on another four runs in the top of the eighth courtesy of RBI doubles from Vargas and Rojas, a bloop single from Serrano and a wild pitch that scored Suero.
The Binghamton bullpen was able to keep Reading off balance by routinely changing relievers, not letting the Fightin Phils get continued looks off one arm. The Ponies bullpen showcased seven different arms that allowed only two earned runs across seven innings and struck out six.
Reading only used three relievers in the blowout loss: Tucker and righties Daniel Harper and Aaron Combs. As a unit, the Reading bullpen allowed nine earned runs on nine hits and struck out two.
Reading returns to the field on Tuesday against the Hartford Yard Goats at 6:30 p.m. 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 nine, with 12 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.