After the first four weeks of the season Reading, although inconsistent remains tied for the top of the Southern division (with Akron), with a 12-10 record. Looking at how individual Phillies rank in the league SS Jesus Merchan is hitting .373 and is 2nd in the league in batting average. OF Javon Moran leads the league with 21 runs scored and is 4th in stolen bases with 9. 3B Mike Costanzo is third in the Eastern League with 5 homeruns, and 6th in the league with 15 RBI’s, however his 31 strikeouts (2nd in the league) and 11 errors, remain of great concern. Looking at the pitching, Anderson Garcia still leads the way with 6 saves , and Kyle Kendrick is leading the league with 32.0 innings pitched.

Reading dropped the final game in its homestand last Thursday evening, 7-3. In a very lethargic effort for the entire team, Tim McClaskey took the loss giving up three(earned) runs on five hits over five innings. Two costly errors were committed by SS Pete Shier. Current Washington National pitcher Ray King, on a rehab assignment, started for the Senators. The Phils offense was led by OF Brian Burgamy, who is starting to break out of a season long funk. He hit a solo homer and stole two bases.

Friday evening, the Phils lost their 3rd straight game 5-1, dropping them to second place behind Akron. Cleveland Indians pitcher Cliff Lee, on a rehab assignment, pitched five shutout innigs giving up only two hits. Landon Jacobsen pitched for the Phillies and took his second straight loss going 6.1 innings and giving up four runs. The Phillies offense again struggled with only three hits. The Phillies losing streak extended to four games Saturday afternoon with a 10-4 loss to Akron. The defense cost the Phillies again with 3B Mike Costanzo committing two costly errors which led to seven (yes, seven) unearned runs in the fourth inning. Matt Maloney (2-1)took the loss for the Phils, giving up all all seven runs (unearned) in 3.2 innings. Leading the offense for the Phils were DH Juan Tejada who went 3-4 with two RBI’s. Javon Moran, Jason Hill and Matt Padgett all had two hits for Reading, who left 9 runners on base. Reading salvaged one game over the weekend, winning the finale Sunday against Akron 11-6, coming from behind to do so. Kyle Kendrick started for the Phils and was less then effective, giving up 5 runs on 9 hits over 6 innings. He walked one and struck out 3. Chris Key got the win for the Phils and Julio De la Cruz came in and pitched two scoreless innings picking up his second save of the year. Offensively, Reading started off slowly, but scored four times in the 6th inning, twice in the eighth, and four more in the ninth. Offensively, Brian Burgamy led the way going 3-5 with 3 runs scored, an RBI, and a stolen base (3). Jesus Merchan went 3-5 with a run scored and 4 RBI’s. Both Javier Moran and Mike Costanzo also added multi-hit games. Costanzo, however, did commit his 11th error of the year.

After an off day taking a long bus trip to Erie on Monday, Tuesdays’ game against Erie was rained out, and re-scheduled for a twi-night doubleheader on Wednesday. In Game One of the doubleheader, the Phils lost 6-4 despite taking an early 2-0 lead in the game. RBI singles by Greg Jacobs and Pedro Swann gave Reading the lead which was quickly relinquished thanks to the four run fifth inning by Erie. Heath Totten started and took the loss (1-4) giving up 6 runs on 10 hits, over 4.2 innings. In the nightcap, the Phils bounced back well with Tim McClaskey (2-2) pitching 5 shutout innings before leaving the game in the 6th. McClaskey gave up four hits, struck out five, and walked none in a very impressive performance. Leading the way offensively for Reading in the nightcap were Pedro Swann who was 3-3 with a key homerun and 4 RBI’s, along with Mike Costanzo who went 2-4, with his 5th homer of the year (solo shot). Jesus Merchan and Joey Hammond also had multi hit games for the Phils. The Phils roadtrip ends today with an 11:05 a.m. start at Eric, before they return home this weekend. Landon Jacobsen will be on the mound today.

Philling:

Manager PJ Forbes called a team meeting after last Thursdays loss to Harrisburg, citing sloppy play as his reason for the meeting.

PJ Forbes missed the three game series against Akron for a family wedding. The team was managed by Batting Coach and former Phillie Greg Gross.

In the upcoming weeks, look for an in depth look at the performance of 1-2 particular players each week and their performace thus far during the season.