Skole, Dykstra, Vettleson, Espino, Hague shine in Senators' comeback win

HARRISBURG, Pa. - The Harrisburg Senators bounced back in nightcap of their Wednesday doubleheader to defeat Reading 9-6.

Matt Skole got the Senators on the board in the first with a three-run homer. It was his 11th homer of the season and gave him 58 RBIs. The opposite-field shot cut Reading's lead from to 4-3.

Reading held the lead into the bottom of the sixth when Harrisburg erupted for six runs to seal the win. Cutter Dykstra and pitch-hitter Drew Vettleson dropped in two-run doubles off Colton Murray during the outbursts.

Hitting coach Mark Harris told me prior to the game that Skole is working hard to get back to his pre-injury mode at the plate. Wednesday's three-run homer swing was another reminder of what Skole is capable of.

Ricky Hague was told last week by Nationals assistant general manager/director of player development Doug Harris the Nats were going to give him work in left field. Hague's agent quickly sent him an outfield glove and he has played three games there this week.

Hague is excited about the move. Similar to Tyler Moore and others, the Nationals are high on what Hague can do. Getting him experience in the outfield adds to his versatility and can only increase the possible opportunities for him to get to the big leagues. Hague made several plays on the ball in the nightcap and looked natural at the position. He scored a run and drew a walk in the game.

Paolo Espino (6-4) did a nice job of holding down the Fightin' Phils after their initial four runs in the opening frame. He settled in for six innings, allowing four runs on eight hits, with no walks and seven strikeouts.

Robert Benincasa struggled in the seventh to close out the game, giving up two runs in on-third of an inning. Tyler Herron came on to nail down his fifth save by recording the final two outs.

Note: It was Wednesday postgame fireworks night at Metro Bank Park. The show went for close to 30 minutes after the game and included several spectacular and colorful displays. Well worth the wait.