Heading into the Eastern League playoffs, the Reading Fightin Phils almost seemed sure to make a run at the championship. With a team stock-piled with young talent that includes the likes of J.P. Crawford, Zach Eflin, Nick Williams, Jake Thompson and Andrew Knapp, Reading was heavily favored to take home their first championship since 2001 and first outright title since 1995. Unfortunately, they ran into a Bowie team that was relentless, falling in the championship series 3-2. With the series tied at two a piece, the Fightin Phils had to go with a bullpen start in game five. The Baysox ended up winning, 7-2.
Reading got on the board first in the fourth with a lead-off home run from outfielder Cam Perkins. The Baysox quickly took the lead in the bottom half of the inning thanks to a two-run home run from Garabez Rosa.
With Bowie leading 3-1 in the seventh, the Fightin Phils cut the deficit to one courtesy of a Rene Garcia solo home run. Unfortunately, Bowie scored four runs over the final two innings and eanred their first championship in franchise history.
Offensively, the Fightin Phils struggled to get much going. Their 3-4-5 hitters, Andrew Knapp, Brock Stassi and Cam Perkins went a combined 1-for-11 with an RBI and four strikeouts. Dylan Cozens hit his fifth double of the postseason though, finishing the playoffs with a .310 (9-for-29) average. Cam Perkins finished with a .345 average (10-for-29) while top prospect J.P. Crawford finished 11-for-29 at the plate.
Reinier Roibal got the start for Reading. He allowed two runs over 4 1/3 innings. Edubray Ramos allowed a run over his 1 2/3 innings of work before Jimmy Cordero surrendered three runs in 1 1/3.
Thought the Fightin Phils season didn't end with a title, there are plenty of great performances to take from the playoffs and the regular season. J.P. Crawford's bat heated up in postseason play, Dylan Cozens made an impact in Double-A and Jake Thompson solidified himself as one of the best pitching prospects in the minor leagues.
