Reading ended this week at 38-40, still mired in 5th place and now 8.5 games out of first.   Looking at the league leaders in hitting, Jesus Merchan remains the leader in batting average (.342) and is fourth in on base %(.409).  Mike Costanzo leads the league in homers(15) and strikeouts(100), and is 8th in runs (44).  Greg Jacobs is 5th in homers (12), and 5th in RBI’s(48).  Javon Moran is 3rd in Stolen bases (18), and Jason Hill is 8th in the league in doubles(22).  Pitching leaders include Matt Maloney, 2nd in innings (93.1), 9th in wins(6), 5th in strikeouts(78), and 3rd in homers allowed (10).  Landon Jacobsen is 10th in wins(6), and first in innings pitched (93.2).

Carlos Carrasco (1-0) was very strong in his Reading debut, pitching the Phils to an 8-6 victory over Binghamton last Thursday, allowing the Phils to take 2 out of 3 against the Mets.  Carrasco, possibily the best prospect in the Phils organization, allowed 1 run on 4 hits over 5 innings.  The Phils bullpen did their best to blow the lead, however the dependable Chris Key came in to get the last out to notch his 4th save of the year.  Three longballs by the Phils led the offensive attack as Randy Ruiz(3), Peeter Ramos(3), and Mike Costanzo (14), all homered for Reading.  Ramos was 3-3 with 3 runs and 2 RBI’s, including the homer.  Chris Coste added 2 hits for the Phils.

The Phils opened a three game series against Altoona on Friday, losing 4-2, leaving 12 runners on base.  Pat Overholt (0-2) made his second start for Reading, and while taking the loss, game Reading a quality start giving up 3 runs and 6 hits over 6 innings while striking out 6.  Mike SPidale hit his first homer for the Phils and Matt Padgett added two hits.  Behind an excellent effort by Zach Segovia(1-0), the Phils beat Altoona 3-1 Saturday evening.  Segovia pitched 7 innings and yielded only 4 hits and an unearned run, in his attempt to recover from a horrific first half of the season in Ottawa.  Julio De Le Cruz came in to pitch 2 shutout innings to noth his 4th save. Michael Garciaparra knocked his first homer of the year, Chris Coste had 2 RBI’s and Jesus Merchan had 2 hits to key the Phils offense. Altoona took the third game of the 4 game set, Sunday afternoon 5-4.  Landon Jacobsen (6-5), pitching on three days rest struggled with his control early and Altoona jumped to an early 4-0 lead from which Reading couldnt recover.  Mike Costanzo hit his league leading 15th homer of the year, Randy Ruiz was 3-4 with 2 doubles and an RBI and both Jason Hill and Michael Garciaparra contributed 2 hits for the Phils.  In a early morning contest Monday morning, Matt Maloney (6-6)threw a very strong 7.2 innings giving up only 2 runs while striking out 7, and lead the Phils to a 4-3 win and a split against Altoona.  Chris Coste hit his 5th homer of the year, a two run shot, to go along with 3 hits by Mike Spidale and two apiece by Jason Hill and Michael Garciaparra to key the offense.

Carlos Carrasco’s (2-0) strong start led Reading to a 6-2 victory over Harrisburg on Tuesday. Carrasco retired 15 of the last 16 batters he faced and gave up only 2 runs and 3 hits over 7 innings.  He struck out 6. Jesus Merchan went 2-5 with a homer (3) and 3 RBI’s and Juan Tedjada went 2-4 with a homer (5) and 2 RBI’s to lead the offensive attack.  Pat Overholt(1-2) got his first win in a Reading uniform Thursday evening, pitching the front end of a doubleheader, going 5 innings and giving up 4 runs(2 earned), in earning the win.  Greg Jacobs had 2 homers (11,12), Michael Garciaparra homered(2),and Chris Coste had 2 more RBI’s leading the Phils offense in game one. In the nightcap, the Phils lost 4-1, in a game where they really had no starting pitcher, as they used their bullpen to start and finish the game. Chris Rojas(2-2) took the loss. The only notable offensively was Mike Spidalewho had 2 hits.

Philling: The on base streak of Mike Costanzo ended at 24 games last Saturday.

Mike Spidale’s leadoff homer last Friday was the first for Reading in 2 years.

The coaches had yet another closed door meeting after the 5-4 loss on Sunday.

Phillies President and CEO Dave Montgomery took the trip out to Reading to take in Mondays early morning game against Altoona.  Im sure he liked what he saw of Matt Maloney, who may have had his best effort of the year.

Mike Costanzo was given the day off on Tuesday against Harrisburg.

Both Jason Hill and Michael Garciaparra have 9 game hitting streaks.

Chris Coste now has 30 RBI’s in only 108 AB’s, a phenominal ratio.

Transactions: OF Randy Ruiz, who was hitting .320 for Reading was promoted to (AAA) Ottawa.  Ruiz , who is among the Eastern League leaders in several categories, should add some power to a fairly impotent Ottawa outfield.

Pitcher Ryan Cameron was called up to (AAA) Ottawa.  Cameron was 0-0 with a 6.51 ERA in Reading shuffling between the bullpen and the rotation.  To make room on the roster INF/OF Jacob Hammond was returned from Ottawa.  Hammond hit .273 during his time in Ottawa.

Pitcher Corey Willey, 26, was called up from (A) Clearwater.  Willey who will work in relief, was 4-1 with a 2.15 ERA and 4 saves in Clearwater.  He walked only 8 and struck out 33 in 37.2 innings and opponents were hitting only .220 against him.

The league leader in innings pitched Landon Jacobsen was promoted to (AAA) Ottawa on Wednesday.

Both OF Javon Moran and P Tim McClaskey have returned from the DL. McClaskey has lost a good deal of weight due to the infection that caused his DL stint, and may need some time to regain his strength.