READING 9, BINGHAMTON 4: In Game 1 of the best-of-five Eastern Division Championship Series, Reading posted seven runs against B-Mets starter Tyler Pill. The loss ended Pill’s 25-game unbeaten streak as a B-Met and snapped Binghamton’s five-game postseason winning streak dating back to last year's championship. Reading opened its attack against Pill with a four-run first. Following a 54-minute delayed start due to nearby inclement weather, the Fightin Phils produced five hits in the opening frame, highlighted by RBI doubles from Brock Stassi and Dylan Cozens. Harold Martinez added a run-producing single. Reading opened a 7-1 lead in the fifth as Stassi launched a three-run homer against Pill. Vince Belnome provided Binghamton’s lone early offense against Reading starter Zach Eflin. He homered to right field in the second inning. Eflin retired 16 of the next 18 batters. Trailing by eight runs after Reading plated two in the sixth against Beck Wheeler, Binghamton mustered a modest comeback bid. Amed Rosario plated Joe Benson with two outs in the seventh, during Eflin’s final inning. In the eighth, Josh Rodriguez stroked an RBI single against Tom Windle. Edubray Ramos entered and struck out Brock Peterson and Belnome before surrendering a bloop RBI single to Benson. Ramos held the lead at five by retiring Xorge Carrillo. Jimmy Cordero worked a perfect ninth to close Reading’s series-opening victory. Pill (0-1) allowed 13 hits, matching a career-high total set in June as a Las Vegas 51. He matched a Double-A career high with seven runs allowed over five innings in his first loss with the B-Mets since May 2014. Robert Gsellman pitches for the B-Mets in Game 2 on Thursday. Box
ASHEVILLE 5, SAVANNAH 1: Martires Arias allowed a pair of fourth-inning homers and the Gnats dropped Game 1 of their best-of-three South Atlantic League divisional playoff series. Forrest Wall opened the scoring with a two-run shot. After Arias struck out the next two batters, Roberto Ramos hit a solo shot for a 3-0 lead. For the Gnats, Luis Guillorme led off the sixth with a single. Eudor Garcia then doubled home the Gnats' lone run with sharp line drive to center. Asheville added two runs in the sixth inning, both charged to Arias. Asheville starter Jesus Tinoco tossed 7 2/3 innings, allowing one run on seven hits. The Gnats and Tourists play Game 2 on Friday in Savannah. Ricky Knapp (8-3, 2.60) pitches for the Gnats. Box
Compiled with team reports.
