The Double-A Reading Fightin Phils put on an exciting defensive display on Friday night, turning a triple play in the seventh inning of an 11-0 victory over New Hampshire at FirstEnergy Stadium.
With runners on first and second base, reliever Tyler McKay got the Fisher Cats’ Hugo Cardona to chop the ball to third baseman McCarthy Tatum, who tagged the bag and fired to second. Second baseman Madison Stokes then recorded the second force out before turning it to first baseman Aldrem Corredor to retire Cardona, completing a 5-4-3, around-the-horn triple play — Reading’s first triple play since 2016.
The effort on defense helped maintain the shutout that was started off by another strong pitching performance by top prospect Andrew Painter. The 19-year-old struck out nine batters in five scoreless innings, lowering his season ERA to 1.17 in 21 starts.