Reading goes into the All Star break at .500 (45-45), 8 games back and in 4th place in the Southern division, although beginning to show some life.  My quest for MVP consideration for Greg Jacobs is as simple as looking at his stats.  He is currently 10th in the league in runs (49), 4th in hits (97), 5th in doubles (24), 4th in homers (14), 2nd in RBI’s (59), 2nd in slugging %(.566), 4th in average (.329) and second in OPS (.953).  Mike Costanzo is 4th in runs (58), leads the league in homers (17) and is 2nd in strikeouts (112). Jason Hill is leading the league with 27 doubles and Javon Moran is 4th is stolen bases (21). Matt Maloney  continues to get noticed in the pitching categories as he is 8th in wins (7), 2nd in innings pitched (104.1) and 4th in strikeouts(93).  Chris Key has been coming on strong and now is 8th in the league with 9 saves.

Week in Review: Last Thursdays game was slowed by rain and ultimately picked up Friday after it was suspended after four innings. Matt Maloney started and pitched very well allowing only one run on three hits, while striking out 5, before the game was suspended. Carlos Carrasco (3-0) picked up for Maloney when they game was resumed and pitched 4 strong innings allowing only one hit and didnt yield a run, as the Phils went on to a 4-2 victory.  Chris Key picked up his 8th save of the year. Greg Jacobs had a key 2 run double and Jason Hill had 2 hits to lead the Phils offensively.  The 2nd game Friday evening, was a “start by committee” effort by Reading and the bullpen did very well, yielding only 1 run over 7 innings. Ironically, the only Phils pitcher to yield a run, Corey Willey(1-1), got the win.  Julio DeLaCruz notched his 6th save. Mike Costanzo’s 17th homer was the offensive blow that led the Phils, allowing them to climb back over.500.

The Phils opened a series against New Britain Saturday and the struggles of Pat Overholt(2-3), continued in the 6-5 loss.  Overholt pitched 4 innings giving up 8 hits and 6 runs in his 6th start since his callup from (A) Clearwater. Greg Jacobs 14th homer and Matt Padgett’s 2 hits helped keep the Phils in the game along with the rejuvenated bullpen who pitched 4 scoreless innings. On Sunday, the Phils lost again to New Britain 4-3, with Julio De La Cruz(1-2) blowing the save and taking the loss. Zach Segovia started and was adequate, giving up 2 earned runs over 6 innings, but didnt strike anyone out. Both Greg Jacobs and Jason Hill had 2 hits to go along with an RBI each. In the series finale Sunday, a 5 run fourth inning propelled the Phils to an 8-5 victory.  The Phils scored the 5 runs on only one hit, a 3 run homer by Peeter Ramos (6). Greg Jacobs also had a key 2 run single in the 5th inning to solidify the lead. Alan Davis (1-0), pitched 2 scoreless innings in relief of the ineffective Chris Rojas, to get the win.  Chris Key came in and notched his 9th save.

Philers: Jason Hill’s hitting streak is at 20 games heading into the All Star break.

Chris Key was added to the All Star roster giving Reading 6 players in the game.

Reliever Alan Davis has pitched 8 consecutive scoreless innings.

Greg Jacobs has a 13 game hitting streak heading into the break to go along with the RBI’s he continues to rack up. 

Transactions: League leading hitter Jesus Merchan was called up to (AAA) Ottawa on Saturday.