The New Hampshire Fisher Cats welcomed the Reading Fightin’ Phils to Manchester on Monday night, By the end of the night, the Phils certainly felt welcome, defeating the Fisher Cats, 11-4.
Both teams put a run up on the board in the first, but Reading would break the deadlock two innings later, sending ten men to the plate in what ultimately became a four-run rally.
New Hampshire looked like it might respond later in the third, beginning the half-inning with a pair of walks. However, from there on out, Reading’s pitching took control, retiring 12 of the next 13 Fisher Cat batters.
Meanwhile, Reading would score in the next four consecutive innings, spearheaded by five extra-base hits.
Four consecutive hits in the eighth gave New Hampshire three runs and some hope, but Reading reliever Shane Watson prevented further damage in the ninth, squelching another rally with a game-ending double play.
Drew Anderson (6-3) pitched six innings to get the win for Reading, allowing just two hits while walking three and striking out five. Every Reading batter had at least one hit, with Carlos Tocci picking up two along with four RBI and Angelo Mora finishing 4-for-6 on the day.
Jonathan Davis and Ryan McBroom each got a pair of hits for the Fisher Cats, but it was a difficult day overall for New Hampshire pitching.
Conner Greene (4-7) left the game before the end of the third inning, giving up five runs off five hits, walking four and striking out two.
Daniel Young gave up four more runs in his two innings of relief, his second four run outing since promotion from Advanced-A Dunedin last month.
Both teams meet again on Tuesday at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. New Hampshire’s Jon Harris (4-9, 5.48 ERA) is expected to take the mound against Reading’s Tyler Viza (6-6, 6.22 ERA)
