The Reading Fightin Phils defeated the Chesapeake Baysox 5-3 on July 13, 2025, in the series finale at Prince Georges Stadium, earning a split in the six-game set. The victory improved the Fightin Phils record to 8-10 in the second half and 33-52 overall, while the Chesapeake Baysox fell to 6-12 in the second half and 37-48 overall. Played amid rainy conditions with an 81-degree temperature and 8 mph wind blowing out to left field, the game drew 2,136 fans and lasted two hours and 42 minutes, including a 33-minute delay.
Game Overview
The Fightin Phils Chesapeake Baysox matchup remained scoreless through the first two innings, with strong starting pitching on both sides. Reading starter Estibenzon Jimenez earned the win, improving to 2-1 with a 4.15 ERA after pitching five innings, allowing four hits, one run, one walk and five strikeouts. Chesapeake starter Zach Eflin, on a rehab assignment, took the loss in his Double-A debut, falling to 0-1 with a 4.50 ERA after four innings where he gave up five hits, two runs, one walk and two strikeouts.
Scoring began in the top of the third when Alex Binelas hit a solo home run to right-center field off Eflin, his fifth of the season, giving the Fightin Phils a 1-0 lead. The Chesapeake Baysox responded in the bottom of the third with an RBI single by Creed Willems, scoring Alfredo Velasquez to tie the game at 1-1.
In the top of the fourth, the Fightin Phils regained the lead. Paul McIntosh singled, Caleb Ricketts walked, and Dylan Campbell doubled to left field, scoring McIntosh for a 2-1 advantage. Aidan Miller extended the lead in the fifth with a solo home run to left field off reliever Domingo German, his eighth of the year, making it 3-1.
Later Innings and Key Plays
The Fightin Phils Chesapeake Baysox contest saw additional scoring in the seventh. Binelas singled, advanced on a fielding error by Chesapeake first baseman Samuel Urman and a wild pitch, then scored on a sacrifice fly by Leandro Pineda, pushing the score to 4-1.
In the eighth, Cade Fergus singled, McIntosh singled, and Ricketts walked to load the bases. A wild pitch scored Fergus, and Campbell grounded into a double play, but the run made it 5-1. The Chesapeake Baysox rallied in the bottom of the eighth when Reed Trimble walked, and Willems hit a two-run home run off reliever Andrew Bechtold, his 10th of the season, closing the gap to 5-3.
Tommy McCollum secured the save, his fifth, pitching 1.1 innings with one hit, no runs, one walk and one strikeout. A notable event was the ejection of Chesapeake left fielder Douglas Hodo III by home plate umpire Jon Forster in the eighth inning.
Player Performances
For the Fightin Phils, Binelas went 2-for-3 with a home run, two runs scored and one RBI. Miller contributed with his home run, going 1-for-5. McIntosh had two hits in four at-bats. On the mound, relievers Braeden Walling, Cristian Garnett, Bechtold and McCollum combined for four innings, allowing two runs.
For the Chesapeake Baysox, Willems shone with 2-for-4, including the home run and three RBIs. Velasquez had two hits in four at-bats. German pitched five relief innings, allowing four hits, three runs (two earned), one walk and five strikeouts.
Team Context
The Reading Fightin Phils, Double-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies, sit in sixth place in the Eastern League Northeast Division. The Chesapeake Baysox, Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, are fifth in the Southwest Division. This Fightin Phils Chesapeake Baysox series highlighted prospects like Phillies No. 2 prospect Aidan Miller, who showcased his power.
The teams entered the All-Star Break following the game, with the Fightin Phils Chesapeake Baysox rivalry adding to the Eastern Leagues competitive landscape. Umpires included Jon Forster at home plate, Robert Ginther III at first base and Tre Jester at third base.
