LHP Alex Clemmey
Image via Bailey O'Neill (Harrisburg Senators)
(Reading, PA) - The Harrisburg Senators leaned on timely hitting and another steady outing from Alex Clemmey to even the series with an 8-4 win over the Reading Fightin Phils on Wednesday.
After falling behind early, Harrisburg wasted little time flipping the script. Reading scratched across a run in the second, but the Senators answered with a decisive three-run third inning. Leandro Pineda got things started with an RBI infield single before Caleb Lomavita delivered the big swing, ripping a two-run double off the right-field wall to give Harrisburg a 3-1 lead.
The momentum carried into the fourth when Kervin Pichardo launched his fourth home run of the season, extending the advantage to 4-1. Reading chipped away with a run in the bottom half, but Sam Petersen quickly erased any doubt in the fifth, crushing a two-out solo homer — his ninth of the year and fourth in his last two series.
That offensive support was more than enough for Clemmey, who continues to trend in the right direction. The left-hander worked 5.2 innings, allowing just two runs on three hits while walking two and striking out four. Just as important, his command has taken a noticeable step forward after battling control issues early in the season, Clemmey has issued only two walks in each of his last three outings while consistently pitching into the sixth inning.
Harrisburg added insurance late, with Lomavita picking up his third RBI of the night on a single in the eighth to score Petersen. Reading made things interesting when Raylin Heredia connected for a two-run homer off Robert Cranz — the first runs he has allowed since joining Harrisburg — cutting the lead to two.
The Senators, however, had the final answer. In the ninth, Johnathon Thomas drove in a run on a fielder’s choice before Sam Brown added a clutch RBI double to push the lead back to four. Cranz regrouped to close things out in the bottom half, securing the 8-4 victory.
Out of the bullpen, Erick Mejia continued his dominant run with 1.1 scoreless innings, lowering his ERA to 0.98 on the season.
With the series now even, the Senators will look to grab the edge Thursday night as right-hander Kyle Luckham (3-3) takes the ball. First pitch is set for 6:45 p.m.