Fisher Cats set April HR mark in win at Reading
READING, Pa. – Sean Keys homered in consecutive at-bats in the second and third inning, setting a New Hampshire franchise record for home runs in April, as the Fisher Cats bested the Reading Fightin Phils, 6-4, Thursday night from FirstEnergy Stadium. Ismael Munguia also went deep for New Hampshire, who used four pitchers to snap a three-game losing streak.
New Hampshire (9-7) starter Gage Stanifer tossed four innings and allowed two runs on four hits while walking three and striking out four. Nate Garkow (W, 2-0) followed with two scoreless frames and punched out two. Reliever Conor Larkin (SV, 1) retired the final four batters and secured his first save of the season. Reading (9-9) starter Giussepe Velasquez (L, 0-1) was roughed up in his Double-A debut, allowing three home runs.
New Hampshire flexed their power early and struck first in the second. Third baseman Keys (2) walloped a solo home run and made it 1-0. In the third, outfielder Munguia (1) laced his first home run of 2026. Following a groundout and a walk, Keys (8) hammered another home run and made it 4-0.
Reading got on the board in the third on a sacrifice fly by first baseman Alex Binelas, and shortstop Bryan Rincon (2) homered in the fourth to cut the deficit to 4-2.
New Hampshire extended the lead in the seventh. Singles from Munguia and first baseman Jackson Hornung, followed by an intentional walk to Keys, loaded the bases before designated hitter Aaron Parker delivered a two-run single to center field.
The Fightin Phils pulled closer in the eighth when first baseman Austin Murr (3) hit a two-run homer, his second of the series. Reading did not score again as the Fisher Cats secured their first win of the series.
The series continues Friday, April 24 with a 6:45 PM first pitch. Fisher Cats RHP Richard Gallardo (0-0, 1.50 ERA) is scheduled to start against Reading RHP Brayden Tucker (2-1, 1.29 ERA). Coverage begins at 6:25 p.m. on the Fisher Cats Radio Network.


