Reading, now 57-54, is in 4th place in the Southern division, 6.5 games out of first.  Due to the trades of Matt Maloney and Jesus Merchan, the league leader report is a little lighter.  On the pitching end, Chris Key is 5th in the league with 16 saves.  On the hitting end,  Mike Costanzo is 5th in the league in runs  (70), 2nd in homers (19), 9th in RBI’s (62) and 2nd in strikeouts (130).  Greg Jacobs is 8th in runs(62), 6th in hits (114), 6th in doubles (28), 3rd in homers (18), 4th in RBI’s (70) and 6th in batting average (.313). Jason Hill is 3rd in the league with 30 doubles.

The Phils finally returned home to open a series against Trenton Thursday night in a very exciting 11-7 win.  Greg Golson made his Reading debut and was 3-5 with 2 runs and a stolen base. Mike Costanzo(19), Greg Jacobs (17) and Mike Spidale (2), all homered for Reading. Peeter Ramos also added 3 hits.  Matt Maloney(9-7) started and got the win going 7 innings and giving up 4 runs while striking out 7. Chris Key came in and notched his 14th save. The Phils offense continued their outburst against Trenton Friday night with 17 hits, in a 13-5 Reading victory. Jason Hill had 2 homers(7,8), Joey Hammond was 3-4 with 4 runs scored, Jesus Merchan was 2-3 with 2 runs, 2 RBI’s and his 6th homer, and Juan Tejada was 2-4 with 2 runs and 3 RBI’s leading the offense.  Chris Rojas(5-3) started and got the win giving up four runs over 6 innings. On Saturday, Josh Outman (0-1) had an extremely rough first outing, giving up 4 runs and 6 hits over 4.2 innings while walking 4 and striking out 5, in a 9-3 Phils loss. The Phils fell behind early and were unable to recover despite Greg Jacobs 18th homer of the year. The Phils took 3 out of 4 against Reading behind an outstanding effort by Carlos Carrasco (4-1) who pitched 6 scoreless innings leading the Phils to a 6-2 victory Sunday afternoon.  Matt Padgett (8) and Jesus Merchan (7) homered for Reading who also got 2 hits from Joey Hammond who had 2 runs and 2 RBI’s to go along with his 2 hits.

Readin took to the road again opening a series against Altoona with a 3-2 loss Tuesday.Zach Segovia started and pitched well giving up 2 runs on 6 hits over 7 innings.  Julio De la Cruz(1-3) took the loss on a walk off single in the ninth. The Phils offensive production came from Jason Hill who had 2 hits and Mike Costanzo who had 2 RBI’s. The Phils turned things around on Wednesday sweeping a doubleheader against Altoona.  In Game One,  Jason Hill’s RBI single gave the Phils a lead that they didnt relinquish, on the way to a 4-3 victory.  Greg Golson had 2 hits , including his first EL homer and Mike Costanzo was 3-4 for Reading. Pat Overholt (4-5) started and got the win, giving up 3 runs over 5 innings.  Chris Key picked up his 15th save.  In Game Two, despite just two hits, Shaun Boyd’s 2 run homer led the Phils to a 3-2 win.  Chris Rojas (6-3) started and went 5.1 innings giving up 2 runs on 7 hits and Chris Key came in to notch his 16th save of the year (2nd on the night) to secure the win for Reading.

Phillers: The 16 hits by the Phils against Trenton were the most allowed by Trenton all season. However, Reading topped that mark with 17 hits Friday.

Mike Spidale has a 12 game hitting streak through Tuesday.

Reading’s current rotation (Carrasco, 20, Segovia, 24, Overholt, 23, Outman, 22)consists of 4 homegrown prospects, all of whom may have major league potential in some role or another.

Transactions:  Josh Outman,22, was promoted from (A) Clearwater.  Outman, a lefthander was 10-4 with a 2.45 ERA with the Threshers while averaging a strikout per inning in his 117 innings pitched. Outman is considered a legit prospect and was the big Phils #6 ranked prospect prior to the season.

Javon Moran finally got his callup to (AAA) Ottawa.  Moran was hitting .299 with 2 homers and 27 RBI’s to go along with 24 stolen bases for Reading.  Called up to take his place was highly thought of prospect Greg Golson. Golson, 21, is a former first round pick of the Phils.  Golson was hitting .286 with 12 homers and 52 RBI’s, to go along with 25 stolen bases for Clearwater.  Golson is expected to be a very capable replacement for Moran.

Juan Tejada was activated off of the DL and Michael Garciaparra was called up to (AAA) Ottawa. Garciaparra was hitting .249 with 3 homers and 18 RBI’s for Reading.

Bubba Nelson was returned from Ottawa where he was 3-7 with an ERA over 5 in 11 starts. Charles Weatherby was placed on the DL with shoulder inflammation.

On Monday, Ryan Cameron was called back up to Ottawa to replace Geoff Geary who was called up to the big Phils.  The Reading staff took a huge hit with the loss of Matt Maloney in a trade with the Reds for Kyle Lohse. Maloney was among the league leaders in wins, innings and strikeouts in the EL.

The MLB trade deadline continued to take its toll on Reading Tuesday with league leading hitter Jesus Merchan going to the Seattle Mariners for reliever Julio Mateo. Merchan was hitting .330 for Reading and his loss will be felt in the Reading lineup.  Because of the numerous big Phillies injuries the carousel of players going in and out of Reading continued.  Of Shawn Boyd was called up to (AAA) Ottawa. Boyd was hitless in 8 AB’s with Reading.  INF Hector Made, was recalled from (A) Clearwater to take the roster spot of Merchan. Made hit .259 in 108 AB’s with the Threshers with no homers and 5 RBI’s. Gary Knotts, a RHP from the Independant League Neward Bears was picked up Tuesday as welll.  Knotts, was 7-5 with a 2.65 ERA in 108 innings for Newark as a starter.

On Wednesday, OF Shaun Boyd was returned from Ottawa after spending less than 24 hours.  OF Matt Padgett was called up to replace him.  Padgett was hitting .232 for Reading.