6 run Phillies fifth sink Defenders 8-2 in front of

the biggest crowd of the season (5300+ announced) tonight. Connecticut starter Nick Pereira struggled with his control issuing 5 BBs plus 5 hits in his 4.2 IP of work. He still had a 1-0 lead going into the fifth thanks to John Bowker's fifth home run on the year when the wheels came off. A walk, single and another walk loaded the bases and a RBI grounder tied the game at 1-1 but a 2 out singlle RBI single after another walk put Reading up 3-1. That was it for Pereira whose record falls to 1-3. Ryan Sadowski would come on and see his perfect zero ERA go by the boards with his first bad outing of the season. A walk, a two run RBI single by the Phillies pitcher Tim McClasky (2-3, 3 RBI's) and a wild pitch made the score 6-1 and bascially that was the game.

The Defenders added a run on a Carlos Sosa single, a smash that first baseman couldn't handle plating Mark Mincozzi (2-3) who singled and moved to third on a Travis Ishikawa single (2-3).
Joe Bateman came in for the last two innings and is still rusty giving up three hits including a homer to close out the scoring.

Misc fan notes: Great to see people in the park. A buzz in the air, food stands humming, the snack shack down the right field line opened for the first time this year, multiple giveaways and best yet-- nice weather. Let's hope the crowd Saturday is as good.