Reading lost 4 of 7 games this week, and are at 28-30 on the season, in 5th place in the Southern Division, 6 games out of first place.  Hitting leaders for the Phils include Javon Moran 4th in runs (36) and 2nd in stolen bases(16); Greg Jacobs who is 6th in hits (57), 2nd in RBI’s (36), and 9th in battering average (.310); Randy Ruiz who is 7th in hits (57), 5th in homers (8), 6th in RBI’s (34) and 6th in batting average (.317); Mike Costanzo who is 7th in runs (34); 3rd in homers(10), and 2nd in strikeouts (75); Jason Hill is leading the league in doubles (19); and Jesus Merchan continues to lead the league in hitting (.374).  In the pitching categories, Matt Maloney is 3rd in the league in innings (67), 6th in the league in strikouts(55) and leading the league in homers allowed (9); Landon Jacobsen is 2nd in the league in innings pitched (70.2) and 5th in wins (5); and Kyle Kendrick continues to lead the league in innings pitched (72.1)

Week in Review:Reading dropped the final game of their 3 game series against Bowielast Thursday, 5-3.  Kyle Kendrick (3-7)started and took the loss in a mediocre effort. He pitched 6.1 innings and gave up 4 runs (3 earned) on 7 hits.  The only Phils offense came from Chris Coste who  was 2-3 with a 3 run homer , his 3rd homer of the year.

The Phils opened a series with Altoona Friday night in very disappointing fashion, losing leads of 5-0, 7-2, and 8-6, and losing the game 10-9. Tim McClaskey started for the Phils and went 5 innings giving up 6 runs (5 earned) on 8 hits while striking out 3. Poor defense cost the Phils again, with a costly error leading to a run and Alan Simpson had a horrific outing that led to Altoona taking the lead for good.  The Phils offense was led by newly acquired Randy Ruiz who was 4-6 with 3 runs, a homer and an RBI.  Chris Coste was 3-6 with 3 RBI’s. Peeter Ramos, Matt Padgett, Greg Jacobs, and Jason Hill also had 2 hits each for the Phils, who managed to strand 15 runners, while collecting 16 hits. Mike Costanzo was the lone starter without a hit. On Saturday, the Phils lost the first game of a doubleheader 4-1.  Landon Jacobsen(5-3) started and took the loss going 6 innings and giving up 4 runs on 9 hits.  The Phils lone run came in the second inning as Randy Ruiz, who doubled, scored on a Juan Tejada sacrifice fly. Altoona completed their doubleheader sweep of the Phils with their third consecutive come from behind win, 6-5.  Ryan Cameron was rocked in his first start of the year giving up 4 runs on 6 hits over 3.2 innings and JJ Trujillo (0-1) had even more difficulty, taking the loss. Leading the Phils offense was Brian Burgamy who was 3-4 with 2 runs and a stolen base, Chris Coste was who 2-3 with a run and an RBI, along with Matt Padgett who hit his 5th homer of the year. Fortunately for the Phils, the final game of the four game series was rained out and rescheduled for August 1st.

The Phils returned home on Monday to open a three game series against Harrisburg, winning the first of the games 7-2.  Chris Rojas (1-0) pitched well in his return to Reading giving up only 2 runs over 6 innings and Fabio Castro earned his first save of the year pitching 3 perfect innings, while striking out four.  Randy Ruiz again keyed the Phils offense with three hits, Mike Costanzo added 2 doubles and Jason Hill and Chris Coste each knocked homers for the Phils. On Tuesday the Phils continued their battering of Harrisburg behind a strong performance by Matt Maloney (who picked up his first win in a month) who went 6 innings giving up only one run while striking out 7.  Jesus Merchan went 2-4 with a run scored and Greg Jacobs had 2 RBI’s, leading the offense. Although he gave up 2 runs, Chris Key picked up his first save of the year. The Phils completed a 3 game sweep of Harrisburg on Wednesday behind a fanatastic complete game effort by Kyle Kendrick(4-7). Kendrick allowed only 6 hits and struck out five while lowering his ERA to 3.21. Greg Jacobs and Randy Ruiz each had two hits including a homer and 2 RBI’s to lead the Phils offensive attack.

Transactions: The Phils signed reliever JJ Trujillo, 31,  out of the Independant Atlantic League.  He had not given up an earned run this year. He takes the roster spot of Heath Totten who was placed on the DL.

Pitcher Jason Anderson was returned to Ottawa on Friday after the Phils acquired 1B/OF Randy Ruiz from the Pirates AA affiliate. Ruiz, 29, was in the Phils system in 2004 and 2005 and showed power during his time with Lakewood and Reading.  In 2005, Ruiz had a phenominal year with Reading hitting .349 while knocking 27 HR’s and 89 RBI’s.  Ruiz should get fairly regular time in the outfield.

Also signed was relief pitcher Chris Rojas, 30, who was pitching in the Independant League this year.  Rojas is another Reading re-tread, having pitched for Reading in 2005.

Philling: Reading has given up 44 unearned runs in 57 games.

Javon Moran has missed 14 consecutive games due to injury. He has begun a rehab assignment in Clearwater.

Mike Drago of the Reading Eagle made an interesting point noting that more than half of Reading’s current roster is 28 years of age or older, effectively making them complete non-prospects.

Jesus Merchan currently has a 14 game hitting streak.

Spotlight: Michael Garciaparra has prodcued in pretty much the same way he has throughout his minor league career.  Garciaparra, 24, was a 1st round draft pick by Seattle back in 2001.  He has played a considerable amount at 2b/SS since his acquisition and has hit .269 with 0 HR and 10 RBI’s in 93 AB’s.  His complete lack of power continues to inhibit any real progress as he has had only 4 extra base hits in his 93 AB’s.  His 5 errors in 26 games are also a concern as that is an unacceptable ratio.  He has shown a bit of speed, having stolen 4 bases thus far and has a .355 on base %, however, he needs to step it up if the major leagues, even as a fringe type player are in his future.