SeaWolves Ninth Inning Rally Falls Short in High-Scoring Loss to Reading

READING, PA - The Erie SeaWolves (42-24, 78-56) put the tying run aboard in the ninth inning but couldn't even the score in an 11-10 loss to the Reading Fightin' Phils (38-27, 68-66) on Thursday night at FirstEnergy Stadium.

The SeaWolves plated an early run as EJ Exposito singled home Woody Hadeen in the first inning and Erie jumped in front for the third consecutive game.

Hadeen stole second base in the first inning to break the Eastern League stolen base record with Erie's 273rd bag of the season, shattering a 43-year-old record held by Reading.

Kenny Serwa posted a scoreless first inning by working around a one-out double from Dante Nori. Reading broke through against the knuckleballer in the second when the first five hitters reached. Singles from Bryson Ware and Luis Caicuto put the Fightin' Phils ahead by a pair and a fourth run on the inning came across on a throwing error from Hadeen at shortstop. Reading added on in the third on a two-out triple from Pedro Leon to score Carson DeMartini from first base.

Serwa and Reading starter Luke Russo posted zeros in the fourth inning before Erie got back on the board in the fifth. Zyhir Hope extended his hit streak to a career-high 13 games with a single with Hadeen at first and a double steal put both runners in scoring position. Exposito brought in Hadeen from third on a groundout to cut the deficit to 5-2.

Reading had the response in the bottom half of the fifth with back-to-back doubles from DeMartini and Aroon Escobar. Leon followed with a single of his own but Escobar was cut down at the plate on a rocket from Seth Stephenson.

Erie's offense teed off on the Reading bullpen after Luke Russo exited the game before the sixth. Luke Shliger led off the inning against reliever Sam Carlson with a double and Roberto Campos hit his first SeaWolves home run in 2026 to cut the deficit in half. Stephenson and Viandel Pena picked up hits to keep the momentum moving and Reading once again turned to the bullpen with a one-run lead and one away in the sixth. Evan Gates entered for the Fightin' Phils and a balk brought Pena around and tied the game at six.

Serwa remained in the game for the bottom of the sixth and faced two hitters. Erie turned to the bullpen after a one-out walk and Eric Silva struggled with the top of the order. Reading plated three runs in the inning, highlighted by a two-run double from Aidan Miller.

Izaac Pacheco's leadoff home run in the seventh inning brought the SeaWolves within two runs and the score stayed 9-7 heading to the bottom of the eighth.

Reading managed two runs in the eighth against Johan Simon with a two-run single from DeMartini to extend the lead to 11-7.

The Fightin' Phils had closer Estibenzon Jimenez on the mound for the ninth. Jimenez has dominated the Eastern League this season and was a perfect 7/7 in save opportunities in 2026, but the SeaWolves found success against the right-hander. Chris Meyers and Pacheco worked walks to start the inning and Campos lined a one-out double to pull Erie within two. Stephenson reached on an error that scored Campos and cut the deficit to one.

Reading called on Daniel Harper to rescue the night and Harper induced a double play to escape the jam and clinch a playoff spot for the Fightin' Phils.

The SeaWolves are back in action Friday night with Joe Miller on the mound. First pitch is set for 6:45 PM.

2026 Eastern League Playoffs presented by UPMC tickets, Single-game tickets, suites, picnics, The Club by Synchrony events, and Bud Light Party Deck groups are now available by visiting SeaWolves.com, calling 814-456-1300, or visiting the UPMC Park Box Office in person.