MANCHESTER – Fisher Cats righty John Stilson, the nation's most dominant college pitcher two years ago, made his first start along the Merrimack River on Thursday night. Let's just say he won't be saving the game ball.

The former Texas A&M ace fired 95- and 96-mph fastballs but only lasted two innings against the Reading Phillies, who snapped New Hampshire's four-game winning streak with a 9-3 victory before 4,191 fans at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium.

The 21-year-old Stilson gave up five earned runs on six hits, suffering the first loss of his pro career. Two years ago, he set Texas A&M records and led the nation with an 0.80 ERA.

Reading, which leads the Eastern League with a .279 team average, feasted on Stilson fastballs.

“They're a good-hitting team and can hit the fastball. I wasn't locating my pitches, and they made me pay,” he said. “It's definitely the hardest I've been hit in pro ball. I take the experience and learn from it.”

The 6-foot-3 Texan made 13 appearances at Single-A Dunedin this year, posting a 3-0 record and 2.82 ERA before earning a promotion to New Hampshire. Stilson made his first Double-A start on the road, beating Bowie, but ran into trouble in the series finale against Reading.

Stilson began the second inning by fanning Sebastian Valle, then gave up six straight hits, including a Troy Hanzawa double and Tim Kennelly triple. Cesar Hernandez laced a single to right field, giving the R-Phils a 5-1 lead.

Reading, which snapped New Hampshire's four-game winning streak, sent 10 men to the plate in the second inning. Stilson finally ended the rally by striking out Brandon Tripp and again whiffing Valle. Stilson threw 37 pitches in the second inning, giving up six hits and striking out three.

“I started getting hit around and kind of got out of my game,” Stilson said. “I started to overthrow, and then I got hit more and more.”

Right-hander Trystan Magnuson, who reached the majors with the A's last season, entered in the third inning to make his first appearance of the season for New Hampshire. Magnuson gave up four runs and exited in the fourth inning following Miguel Abreu's two-run single.

New Hampshire scored in the first inning on Mike McDade's single and later trimmed the deficit to 9-3 on Brian Van Kirk's double to left field. Designated hitter Ben Francisco, who joined the Fisher Cats on a rehab assignment for the Blue Jays, doubled and had a pair of hits.

Reading lefty Mario Hollands made his Double-A debut and earned the win, allowing three runs and scattering 10 hits. The 6-foot-5 Hollands struck out four and issued one free pass. The Phillies (40-30) are tied with Trenton for first-place in the division, while New Hampshire (26-44) is last.

The Fisher Cats open a four-game series against Harrisburg, Double-A affiliate of the Nationals, tonight at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium. New Hampshire righty Deck McGuire (2-8, 6.62 ERA), Toronto's first pick in the 2010 draft, is scheduled to make his 18th career start for the Fisher Cats.

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Kevin Gray's email address is kgray@unionleader.com.