Reading continues its climb up the Southern division standings, now with a record of 50-47, in third place, just 5.5 games out of first, within striking distance.   By way of league leaders, Matt Maloney is 2nd in Innings (110), 5th in homers allowed (12) and 4th in strikouts (98).  Chris Key is 7th in saves (12). Greg Jacobs is 10th in runs (54), 3rd in hits (102), 3rd in doubles (26), 3rd in homers (16), and 2nd in RBI’s (64). Mike Costanzo is 2nd in homers (17), 4th in runs (64), and 2nd in strikouts (114).  Jason Hill leads the league with 29 doubles.  Javon Moran is 3rd in stolen bases (23), and Jesus Merchan continues to lead the league in hitting at .345. 

The Phils returned from the All Star Break with a 6-1 win over Harrisburg last Thursday evening. Carlos Carrasco started and although a bit wild (3 walks)pitched well going 5 innings and giving up only a run while striking out 5.  Corey Willey (2-1) picked up the win in relief.  The big blow came on a Juan Tejada pinch hit grand slam powering the Phils to the lead in the 8th inning.  Javon Moran also had a big night going 3-3 with a run scored and a stolen base. Reading continued their winning ways Friday night with a very exciting 10-9 win over Harrisburg.  Jesus Merchan made a game saving acrobatic play in the bottom of the 9th that some were calling the most impressive turned double play they have seen.  Merchan was also 2-4 with 2 runs scored, 2 RBI’s and a homer(4).  Matt Padgett had 2 hits and 2 RBI’s, and Mike Costanzo and Jason Hill each added 2 hits for the Phils.  Charles Weatherby got his first start for Reading on Saturday and went 4.2 innings giving up 6 hits and 5 runs (2 earned) while walking 5 and striking out 2.  Alan Davis(2-0) got the win in relief and Chris Key picked up his 10th save. Reading took their third straight against Harrisburg Saturday night in an 8-6 win.  Chris Rojas(4-3) started and pitched well enough to keep Reading in the game going 5 innings and giving up 3 runs on 4 hits, while walking 4 and striking out 5.   A two run homer by Greg Jacobs(15), who also had a run scoring double led the offense. Joey Hammond and Matt Padgett also added 2 hits, while Chris Key pitched a perfect 9th for his 11th save. The Phils lost the final game of their 4 game series against Harrisburg 6-3.  Pat Overholt(2-4), was slightly better than in previous starts but still took the loss giving up 3 runs in 6 innings.  The Phils were held to five hits, with the major blow being a Mike Costanzo 2 run double.

The Phils traveled across the state to open a 3 game set against Erie Monday and 4 two out runs did them in, with Erie handing the Phils a 7-4 loss.  Matt Maloney(7-7) started and struggled going 5.2 innings and giving up 6 runs (4 earned) on 8 hits, while walking 4 and striking out 5.  Greg Jacobs had 2 hits, one being his 16th homer of the year to go along with two hits by Jason Hill and Jesus Merchan. The Phils ended their series against Erie by sweeping a doubleheader Wednesday afternoon.  In Game One,  Carlos Carrasco struggled mightily with his control walking 6 in four innings while giving up 2 earned runs.  Jason Anderson came in and pitched 2 shutout innings getting the win. Six different Phils had RBI’s leading the way to a 6-3 win. Javon Moran, Joey Hammond, Peeter Ramos, and Michael Garciaparra each had 2 hits in the victory.  In Game Two, Zach Segovia(3-1) pitched 6 innings giving up 3 runs.  he didnt walk a batter and struck out 3.  Chris Key came in to notch his 12th save. The offensive leaders for the Phils were Jesus Merchan who was 2-4 with 2 runs and 2 RBI’s and Tim Gradoville was was 2-3 with a run and a stolen base.

Philers: Both Jason Hill (20 games) and Greg Jacobs (13 games) had their hitting streaks snapped against Harrisburg last Thursday.

Manager PJ Forbes missed last weekends seried against Harrisburg taking care of personal business back home in Kansas.  Greg Gross took over for him.

Mike Costanzo committed 2 more very costly errors (23,24)last Friday to go along with one Saturday(25) and one Wednesday(26).

Carlos Carrasco’s control is becoming a concern.  In 2 starts this week he has walked 8 in 9 innings.

Transactions: Jesus Merchan returned from Ottawa (AAA) where he spent 2 days.  Pitcher JJ Trujillo was demoted to (A) Clearwater.  He was 0-1 with a 4.86 ERA with Reading.  In a bit of a surprise, pitcher Alan Simpson was released after pitching 8 consecutive scoreless innings in relief.  Simpson was 0-1 with a 5.19 ERA in his time with Reading.  In the last of last Thursdays’ moves, pitcher Charles Weatherby was sent down to Reading from (AAA) Ottawa where he had a 3.16 ERA in 9 outings including 4 starts.

On Sunday, Cory Willey, was returned to (A) Clearwater after posting a 15.00 ERA in his time in Reading.  Jason Anderson returned from (AAA) Ottawa where he had a 5.40 in 19 appearances (17 in relief) . Shaun Boyd, 25, was called up from (A) Clearwater to take the roster spot of Juan Tejada. Boyd, a former Cardinal first round pick was hitting .243 in Clearwater.

First Baseman Juan Tejada was placed on the DL with a strained left oblique muscle.