The Phils end this week on the heels of a 2 game winning streak, at 30-34, in 5th place in the Southern division, and 7.5 games out of first. Hitting leaders include Javon Moran who is 8th in runs (36) and 3rd in stolen bases (16); Mike Costanzo 7th in runs (37), 1st in homers (13); Greg Jacobs 3rd in hits (66), 5th in homers (10), 2nd in RBI’s (42) and 5th in average (.317); Jason Hill leads the league in doubles (19); Randy Ruiz 6th in homers (9), 4th in RBI’s (36), 6th in average (.317) and Jesus Merchan who is leading the lead in average (.364) and 2nd in on base %(.424). In the pitching categories, Matt Maloney continues to lead in homers allowed (9) and is 6th in the league in strikouts (61). Landon Jacobsen is now tied for 3rd in the league with 6 wins, and has taken over the league lead in innings pitched with 82.2, with Kyle Kendrick’s permanent? departure to the bigs.
Week in Review:
The Phils comeback fell just short and they lost the final game of their four game series against Harrisburg 6-5, last Thursday evening. Ryan Cameron (0-1) was battered in his second consecutive start lasting only 2.1 innings and giving up 6 runs. The Phils bullpen (Simpson and Trujillo) pitched 6.2 scoreless innings giving the idea of a comeback possibility. Mike Costanzo jacked his 11th homer of the year, Peeter Ramos had three hits and Chris Coste added a 2 run double to help key the offense.
The Phils opened a three game series against the Yanks AA affiliate the Trenton Thunder Friday evening. Reading fell behind early and was unable to recover losing 8-5. Landon Jacobsen(5-5) started for the Phils and went 5 innings giving up 5 runs on 7 hits. The Phils offense woke up late in the game and was led by Greg Jacobs who was 3-4 with 2 runs and a homer(9). Michael Garciaparra was 2-4 with a run and an RBI and Mike Costanzo continued his tear with 2 hits including a 2 run double. The lost lost their third straight Saturday evening as Trenton continued their destructuion of the Phils 7-1. Chris Rojas(1-1) started and was hit around, giving up 6 runs over 5 innings while walking 6 as well. Matt Padgett knocked in the Phils only run with a double. Trenton completed their sweep of the Phils with a 4-1 victory Sunday afternoon, the 4th straight loss for Reading. Matt Maloney (5-5) had an inconsistent day on the hill, giving up 3 runs in 5 innings. The lone Phils run came on a Jason Hill homer (4). Mike Costanzo committed his 20th error of the year leading to another unearned run against the Phils.
The Phils began a 3 game series against the Binghamton Mets Tuesday evening winning 5-3 in 13 innings. Heath Totten came off the DL to start and pitched 5 scoreless innings giving up only 2 hits. After Allan Simpson blew the lead established by the Phils, the bullpen came on to pitch 6 scoreless innings including 2 by Fabio Castro who got the win (1-0) and one by Chris Key who picked up his 2nd save. Greg Jacobs led the offense going 3-6, with a HR (10) and 2 RBI’s. Mike Costanzo, Michael Garciaparra and Randy Ruiz also added 2 hits for the Phils. On Wednesday, Mike Costanzo slammed 2 homers (taking the league lead) and Landon Jacobsen (6-4), pitched 7 extremely effective innings, striking out 6, leading the Phils to a 6-1 win over the Mets. Greg Jacobs added 2 doubles, Michael Garciaparra had 2 hits and an RBI and Peeter Ramos had a homer, 2 runs, and a stolen base, all contributing to the win as well.
Philling: Jesus Merchan hitting streak was broken at 16 games.
Mike Costanzo hit his first homer against a left hander this year last Thursday against Harrisburg. He has been crushing the ball lately going 22 for his last 57 (.386). He currently has a 11 game hitting streak.
The Phils are 7-13 without Javon Moran in their lineup.
Reading was 5-45 (.111) with runners is scoring position against Trenton and fell to a season low 6 games under .500 after the sweep.
The Phils rotation continues to take a hit with the loss of Kyle Kendrick to the major leagues and Tim McClaskey(flu), to the DL.
Kyle Kendrick was named the Phillies minor league pitcher of the week and Mike Costanzo named minor league hitter of the week.
Phuture Phillies 
To me, the most pleasant surprise was the streak of Costanzo, Is it possible that he could fill our 3rd base until our recent 3rd base draftees are ready?? I don’t fully trust Costanzo’s better hitting unless he continues to take walks instead of striking out. There isd also his fielding at 3rd: supposedly not so hot since he has been accumulating errors like a hoarder of golds…but instead this is BASE metal. IF he continues like this, or close to it, his fielding could remain a problem even if his hitting is near gold. Looking to see how he’s done in the next 3 months.
Also, what possibilities are there for Greg Jacobs being moved up to AAA and be a realistic competitor for the big squad in ’08…?
Finally, does Moran have the goods? How is his center fielding?? Will he remain at Reading throughout ’07…or be moved up to AAA Ottawa to ready him to compete in ’08 at the big club level. A shame he doesn’t hit righty.
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Jacobs is certainly putting up some numbers OPS > .921, 42 rbis, fairly low amount of strikeouts, but he’s 30 years old. I think that has to count against him.
As for Costanzo, he has been scorching hot lately, and could certainly end up with a very productive year offensively. (As an aside, didn’t Jimmy Rollins always start out really slow in the minors, and then end up with pretty productive seasons by the end of the year. Hell, he still does that in the majors, at least until this year 8^). His glove concerns me more – way too many errors. I can’t help but think that he projects to be a Greg Dobbs type player, which is not necessarily a bad thing. He could provided some decent pop when used properly, and be a serviceable corner IF/OF guy.
– Jeff
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