(Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin’ Phils (33-24, 63-63) fell to the Hartford Yard Goats (23-35, 62-64) by a final score of 5-3 on Tuesday night at Dunkin’ Park.
The Fightins sent RHP Cody Bowker (PHI’s No. 15 prospect) to the mound for his third Double-A start, while Hartford countered with an bullpen opener in LHP Sam Weatherly. Reading threatened in the opening inning as Dante Nori (PHI’s No. 7 prospect) singled and stole second, but the Fightins were unable to bring him around. Hartford would take advantage of its first opportunity in the bottom half.
Andy Perez (COL’s No. 16 prospect) led off with a single before stealing second, and Jared Thomas (COL’s No. 10 prospect) followed with a walk. Jacob Humphrey then reached on a bunt single to load the bases. Braylen Wimmer brought home Perez with an RBI single to give Hartford a 1-0 lead. A balk from Bowker would then allow Thomas to score, putting the Yard Goats ahead 2-0 after the first inning.
Bowker settled in after the early damage, keeping Hartford off the board in both of the next two frames. The 22-year righty worked around a pair of baserunners in the second before striking out Jack O’Dowd, and he escaped another threat in the third with a pair of outs to strand a runner.
Reading answered in the third against right-hander Cade Denton. Nori opened the inning with another single and stole second before advancing to third on a wild pitch. Carson DeMartini (PHI’s No. 24 prospect) and Raider Tello followed with walks to load the bases. Aroon Escobar (PHI’s No. 6 prospect) then reached on a fielder’s choice, with Nori and DeMartini both coming around to score and tie the game at 2.
The Fightins grabbed their first lead of the night in the fifth. Raylin Heredia was hit by a pitch to begin the inning before Tello singled to put runners at the corners. Escobar followed with a groundout that brought Heredia home, giving Reading a 3-2 advantage.
Bowker finished his outing after five innings, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out five and walking two. He would earn a no-decision in the contest.
Hartford threatened to answer in the bottom of the seventh against Jack Dallas. Cole Messina doubled to open the frame before Andy Perez followed with a double to bring Messina home and tie the game at three. Jared Thomas then singled home Perez, with an Escobar throwing error allowing the Yard Goats to take a 4-3 lead.
Following Dallas’ exit, Zach Kokoska added to Hartford’s advantage with a two-out double that scored Thomas, giving the Yard Goats a 5-3 lead.
Reading was unable to mount another rally in the final two innings. Hartford’s Victor Juarez worked two scoreless innings before Austin Smith closed out the game with a scoreless ninth, striking out two
Escobar led the Fightins offensively with two RBIs, while Nori recorded a pair of hits and two stolen bases. Dallas was charged with the loss, allowing three runs in 1.1 innings. Juarez earned the win, and Smith picked up the save for the Yard Goats
With the loss tonight and Somerset’s win over Erie, the Fightins now sit 2.5 games up on the Patriots for the first place in the Northeast Division with 11 games remaining.
Reading returns to the field on Wednesday against the Hartford Yard Goats at 6:30 p.m. RHP Evan Gates is set to start for Reading, and he will go opposite LHP Bryson Hammer 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 nine**,** with 11 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.