NORWICH, Conn. - The Reading Phillies reached the Eastern League playoffs for the first time since 2001 by sweeping a doubleheader from the Connecticut Defenders last night.
Reading won the opener, 9-4, as Kevin Mahar, Neil Sellers and Kevin Nelson all homered.
Reliever Antonio Bastardo cut off a Defenders rally in the seventh inning of the second game, striking out Ramon Castro to save a 4-3 win after Connecticut scored twice.
The Phillies made it to the postseason when Erie blew a two-run lead in the ninth and lost to the Akron Aeros, 5-4, in 10 innings in Ohio.
