MANCHESTER — Reading starting pitcher Julio Rodriguez went five innings without allowing an earned run, and reliever Tyson Brummett was untouchable for three innings as Reading posted a 4-2 win at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium on Wednesday night.

Rodriguez struck out seven Fisher Cats as first-place improved to 17-8 atop the Eastern Division. Brummett entered in the sixth inning with the bases loaded, no outs, and extinguished the brewing Fisher Cats' rally. The hard-throwing reliever worked three perfect innings, striking out.

New Hampshire (11-14) took a two-run lead in the second inning on Justin Jackson's triple, but Reading evened the score in the third inning against Fisher Cats starter Ryan Tepera, relieved in the fourth.

In the fifth, Reading scored the go-ahead run against lefty Matt Wright (0-1), who yielded a run-scoring double by Steve Susdorf (2-for-3, two RBIs). Reading added a run in the ninth inning on a double by Cesar Hernandez. Troy Hanzawa scored on the gap double, and Tyson Gillies (2-for-4) was thrown out home on a perfect relay from left fielder Brad McElroy to shortstop Ryan Goins to catcher A.J. Jimenez.

Paid attendance was 3,973. The seven-game homestand concludes today as Fisher Cats righty Casey Lawrence (0-1, 7.36 ERA) faces Reading righty Jonathan Pettibone (1-3, 4.33 ERA). Game time is 10:35 a.m.