The Harrisburg Senators and Reading Fightin Phils are back on City Island tonight for Game 3 of their six-game set, and the series is suddenly level after Harrisburg’s win yesterday. The Senators and Fightin Phils have split the first two games, while Harrisburg still holds the edge in the season series, 5 games to 3.
Harrisburg turns to Isaac Lyon in the third game of the series. Lyon, who has been strong in his AA stint, is coming off a start against New Hampshire in which he worked 4 1/3 innings, gave up 2 runs on 3 hits, walked 1 and struck out 3. He took the loss and will try to get back on track against a Reading lineup that has been productive.
Reading counters with right-hander Luke Russo. Russo has dropped 2 of his last 3 starts, but he’s still been effective for the Fightins. His most recent outing came last week against Altoona, when he threw 5 1/3 innings, allowed 3 runs on 5 hits, walked 1 and struck out 5.
First pitch is set for 6:30 at FNB Field, and the night also carries a nod to Harrisburg’s baseball past as the club recognizes the Harrisburg Giants.
Reading’s lineup for Game 3 is Bryan Rincon at shortstop, Pedro Leon in center field, Alex Binelas at first base, Raylin Heredia in right field, Aroon Escobar at second base, Caleb Ricketts at designated hitter, Kehden Heytiger behind the plate, Luke Ritter, and Raider Tello at third base.
The Senators arrive with momentum after a dominant 12-2 win on Wednesday afternoon. Harrisburg’s offense piled up 12 runs on 15 hits, with every position player in the lineup collecting at least one hit except for third baseman Devin Ortiz.
TJ White, Ethan Perry and Johnathan Thomas each went deep, while Thomas, Petry, Caleb Farmer, Branden Boissiere and Devin Fitz-Gerald all finished with two hits. Kervin Pichardo added three hits of his own.
Riley Maddox set the tone on the mound for Harrisburg, turning in an excellent five-inning start. He allowed just 2 hits, walked 2 and struck out 6 to earn the win, his second for the Senators and his second at the Double-A level. Seth Shuman and Holden Powell covered the final four innings, and outside of the sixth, the pitching staff kept Reading quiet.
The Senators and Fightin Phils meet again tomorrow night in Game 4 of 6 at FNB Field. Harrisburg’s starter is currently listed as TBD and is expected to come either as an opener from the bullpen or in a possible rehab appearance.
Reading will send left-hander Adam Seminaris to the mound. Seminaris, who is 9-5, has been one of Reading’s best pitchers this season.
He last faced Harrisburg at the end of May in Reading and took the loss. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 PM.
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