A big seventh inning rally proved pivotal on Wednesday night as the New Hampshire Fisher Cats took the third game of their series against the Reading Fightin’ Phils, 8-2.
Up until that point, the game remained close, with Reading taking an early two-run lead that slowly evaporated by the fifth.
Reading starting pitcher Elniery Garcia finally fell to the Fisher Cats’ onslaught, leaving with one out in a seventh inning that saw the visitors send nine men to the plate and bring five men home.
New Hampshire would add an insurance run in the ninth, finishing with nine hits, three of which were doubles.
Reading finished with ten hits, but left 11 men on base. That was a testament to an ensemble pitching performance that saw Kender Villegas get the win after recording four outs of middle relief in the fourth and fifth.
The series concludes Thursday night in Reading. Francisco Rios (3-9, 4.26 ERA) will start for the Fisher Cats while Franklyn Kilome (1-2, 2.42 ERA) is set to go for the Fightin’ Phils.
Rios began the season in New Hampshire’s rotation, but fell to spot start and long relief duty after an injury in July.
First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.
