TRENTON- With everything all set up for Wednesday's Eastern League Division Series, the Thunder and Reading played the final game of the regular season Monday afternoon. In what was a dead rubber, the Fightin Phils, powered by three home runs in the top of the 10th, beat Trenton 10-6. While the contest ends the 142-game campaign, it was just...
TRENTON- With everything all set up for Wednesday's Eastern League Division Series, the Thunder and Reading played the final game of the regular season Monday afternoon.
In what was a dead rubber, the Fightin Phils, powered by three home runs in the top of the 10th, beat Trenton 10-6.
While the contest ends the 142-game campaign, it was just a glimpse of the two best teams, records wise, in all of Double A baseball. That they happen to be in the same division, and will now meet in the first round of the playoffs starting Wednesday, could be bad luck for the team that will get bounced this week.
But for Reading (89-52) players Dylan Cozens and Rhys Hoskins, who are one-two in the minor leagues in home runs, and one-three in RBI, the final contest was a chance to make history.
Cozens, in particular, had a chance to break the all-time Double A record for homers (41). He already set the Reading record Saturday night, with his 39th HR and 123rd RBI. Cozens extended the RBI record to 125 Monday, and his 10th inning home run was his 40th of the season. The soon to be EL MVP is ready for his squad to match up with Trenton Wednesday night, for a chance to compete for a title.
"It means a lot to get the records," Cozens said. "The home run record has only been around for a few years, bit before Ruf, a bunch of great players set the record. To be able to break it is an honor. The RBI record has been around since 1970 with Luzinski. That has been around awhile.
We are looking forward to going out there now Wednesday, and trying to win every game. We want to win the first series against these guys, and then go win a championship. It has been a lot of fun to play in Reading this year. We get great fan support.
Here (ARM & HAMMER Park) is another great place to play, with all the Phillies fans. We definitely feel comfortable here."
It has been a wonderful year for the Thunder, and it may get better
Hoskins, who raised his line to .281/38/116 Monday with three hits, including a blast in the 10th two pitches after Cozens gave Reading the lead, is excited to play the first two games in Trenton, where the Fightin Phils usually have a distinct advantage in the stands over the home team.
"Their players kind of joke with us about it," Hoskins said. "They didn't know they signed up for another road game when we come. It is cool to look out in the crowd and see a bunch of red, and I think it is just a testament to the fans that we have. We've got good support all year."
The dynamic duo have fed off each other all season, and it could be the same in the playoffs.
"I have not really tried to match him this year," Hoskins said. "I think hitting is contagious. You hear that all the time. I think, with him and I, we have just fed off each other all year. I think it has kept our mindset really light, not putting extra pressure on ourselves to know that if one of us doesn't get it done, the other one will."
Thunder, Reading preview the main event this weekend
One of the newly-promoted Thunder (87-55) pitchers that will have the task of shutting down the Reading lineup is Matt Marsh.
The righty came up from Tampa Friday, and after posting very good numbers in the FSL (7-2, 11 saves, 2.77 ERA), Marsh will get a chance, out of the pen, to lead Trenton to an Eastern League title.
"This is my first playoff in pr ball, so I am excited for the opportunity," Marsh said. "They have a really good lineup, one of the best lineups in Double A, from what I have heard. They have a good lineup, we have a good squad, so we will see how we do.
We have a lot of confidence right now. Our pitchers are going to keep us in the game, as they always do. If we get a couple of guys hot in the lineup, and put some runs up, we will be in a good situation."
With the playoffs usually come tighter games, and Marsh expects that the bullpen will play a large role.
"It will probably be more of a chess match," Marsh said. "More matchups, guys on shorter leashes. I am excited. We have a really good staff."
Contact Sean Miller at seanmillertrentontimes@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @TheProdigalSean