Shliger's Multi-Homer Night Leads SeaWolves Past Fightin' Phils

READING, PA - The Erie SeaWolves (42-22, 78-54) controlled the series opener in a 6-1 win against the Reading Fightin' Phils (36-27, 66-66) on Tuesday night in Reading, aided by Luke Shliger's first professional multi-homer game.

Reading starter Cody Bowker found success keeping the SeaWolves off balance in the first two innings, racking up a couple of punchouts in two hitless frames.

Despite the early struggles, Erie found its footing in the third. Chris Meyers led off the inning with a walk in his return to the lineup and Shliger hammered his fourth SeaWolves home run with a two-run shot to right field. Seth Stephenson followed with a single and Woody Hadeen moved him to third with a base hit of his own. Zyhir Hope drove in Stephenson on a sacrifice fly and Hadeen scored on a Thayron Liranzo single to give the SeaWolves a 4-0 lead after the top of the third.

Max Alba also cruised through the first two innings and seemed to be on his way to a scoreless inning in the third with two quick outs. Bryan Rincon ended that pursuit with a solo shot to right, his 24th home run of the season.

The SeaWolves got the run right back in the fourth as Chris Meyers launched his eighth blast of the season to restore the four-run lead. Zyhir Hope extended his season-long hit streak to eleven games with a fifth-inning triple, but the 21-year-old was left on the bases after a groundout ended the frame.

Alba settled in after surrendering the homer in the fourth and finished his outing with five innings of one-run ball, turning the game over to Tanner Kohlhepp in the sixth with a 5-1 lead.

Shliger smashed his second home run of the night in the seventh inning against Reading reliever Evan Gates. The SeaWolves' catcher has posted an extra-base hit in nine of the fifteen games that he has played in Double-A.

Kohlhepp tossed two scoreless innings and Luke Taggart delivered the final two frames to slam the door on the SeaWolves' 78th win of the season.

Erie is back in action Wednesday night with RHP Lucas Elissalt starting against Phillies top prospect Gage Wood for Reading. 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.