Reading Clinches Playoff Berth with Win over Erie

BOX SCORE

(Reading, PA) - The Reading Fightin Phils (38-27; 68-66) defeated the visiting Erie SeaWolves (42-24; 78-56) in a playoff clinching win 11-10. Reading secures the Eastern League second half championship and will head to the dance starting next week. It's the team's first postseason appearance since 2019.

Erie collected the game's first run in the top of the first. EJ Exposito singled through the left side and Woody Hadeen was able to cross home plate after a fielding error from R-Phils left fielder Dante Nori.

The Fightins fought back in the bottom of the second. The first three batters all reached base to load the bases for Reading. Bryson Ware stepped up and delivered an RBI single to knot the game at one apiece. Luis Caicuto followed with a poke through the right hand side to score two runners and give the R-Phils the lead. The final run came across the plate through a throwing error to put the score at 4-1 in favor of Reading after two.

Pedro Leon tacked on another run in the bottom of the third with an RBI triple down the left field line to extend the home lead to four.

The SeaWolves clawed one back with an RBI groundout through Exposito but could not push across more than one run in the inning.

The R-Phils got the run right back in the bottom of the frame through back-to-back doubles off the bats of Carson DeMartini and Aroon Escobar. Escobar tried to add another run but was out at home.

Luke Russo’s race was run after five innings for Reading. Russo allowed five hits and two runs while grabbing three punchouts.

Erie’s bats came back to play in the sixth. Roberto Campos (1) set a long ball into the Redners Event Center and was followed by two more hits to slice the Reading lead down to one with only one out. Evan Gates was called upon to try and escape the jam but was called for a balk, allowing the guests to tie the game at six.

But the Fightins fought back as they so often do. Back-to-back walks to start the inning allowed Nori to deliver an RBI single. Nori was followed by Aidan Miller, who roped his first Double-A double of the year to clear the bases and bring the score to 9-6 in favor of Reading.

SeaWolves starter Kenny Serwa could not finish the sixth inning. The righty knuckleballer tossed 5.1 innings surrendering nine hits and seven runs.

The guests continued to claw away as Izaac Pacheco (21) took the first pitch of the seventh inning to the seats, cutting the lead down to two.

Estibenzon Jimenez was called upon for a five-out save and collected two on his first pitch, turning a 1-4-3 double play to escape the eighth inning.

DeMartini added the final insurance of the night with a two RBI single in the bottom of the eighth to give Reading a 11-7 lead heading into the ninth. The Virginia Tech alum had a great night collecting three hits and a walk.

The chaos continued in the top of the ninth, as Erie collected three runs with only one out. Daniel Harper was called upon to finish out the night. Harper only needed a few pitches, forcing a double play, and ending the game.

Reading clinched the second half championship and will head back to the playoffs for the first time since 2019, looking for their first outright championship since 1995.

Gates (3-4) grabs the win for his work out of the bullpen. The righty tossed two thirds of an inning, punching out batters for both outs and lowering his season ERA to 3.18.

Serwa (9-9) is given the loss. His ERA rises up to 4.31 as a result of his outing.

Both teams combined for 21 runs, 24 hits and four errors in an eventful night in Baseballtown.

Reading returns to the field on Friday against the Erie SeaWolves at 6:45 p.m. LHP Adam Seminaris is scheduled to start for Reading, and he will go opposite LHP Joe Miller for Erie. Pregame radio coverage is underway at 6:25 p.m. on the Reading Fightin Phils Radio Network. A video stream is available via MiLB TV or the Bally Live App.

The Fightin Phils remain home through Sunday against the Erie Seawolves, Double-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. 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.

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.