Sea Dogs slammed by Fightin Phils
Reading Fightin’ Phils Edge Portland Sea Dogs 7‑5 in Eastern League Showdown
A dramatic comeback by the Reading Fightin’ Phils ended with a 7‑5 victory over the Portland Sea Dogs on Tuesday night in Reading, Pennsylvania. The Phils, who trailed 3‑0 early in the game, rallied behind a grand slam and a two‑run homer by Caleb Ricketts to pull out a hard‑fought win in the Eastern League.
Ricketts launched a four‑run blast in the fourth inning, clearing the outfield fence in the second inning’s early lead. That grand slam turned the score from a 3‑0 deficit into a 5‑3 advantage for Reading. Later in the eighth, Ricketts added a two‑run homer that extended the Phils’ lead and left the Sea Dogs scrambling for a comeback.
The Sea Dogs began the game strong, with Brooks Brannon driving in Franklin Arias on a ground‑rule double. The next batter, Johanfran Garcia, followed with an RBI single, and Marvin Alcantara capped the inning with a sacrifice fly for a 3‑0 lead.
Reading’s starting pitcher posted solid numbers, allowing just one hit and one unearned run while striking out four before being removed after 2 2/3 innings. The move came after Boston Red Sox top pitching prospect Anthony Eyanson walked five batters in his brief outing. The Red Sox farm system’s prized arm struggled to keep his footing in the early part of the game.
Patrick Halligan was called on to secure the final out of the third inning, but the Phils’ momentum was already in motion. After Halligan’s out, Ricketts exploded for his grand slam, shattering the Sea Dogs’ early advantage.
In the bottom of the ninth, the Sea Dogs’ Caden Rose added a home run to bring the score within reach, but Reading’s Nate Baez drove in a run with a groundout to seal the win for the Fightin’ Phils.
Brannon and Arias finished the game with three hits apiece for Portland, while Ricketts’ power surge was a key factor in Reading’s comeback. The Phils’ ability to rally from a 3‑run deficit underscored their resilience and depth, giving fans an exciting night of baseball in Reading.
