Heading into the last month of the season, Reading continues fighting mediocrity, amid a slew of lineup changes.  They are currently 59-58 and in 5th place in the Southern division, 8.5 games out of first.  Jason Hill has been climbing among the league leaders now leading the league in doubles (31) and 4th in batting average (.316).  Greg Jacobs is 10th in average (.304), 7th in hits (116), 8th in doubles (29), 6th in homers(18) and 5th in RBI’s (70).  Mike Costanzo continues his run production, now 3rd in runs (75), 1st in homers (22), and 8th in RBI’s (66).  He is also 2nd in the league having struck out 132 times.  After the trade of Matt Maloney, the lone pitcher among the league leaders in Chris Key, who is 6th in the league with 16 saves.

Gary Knotts (0-1) had the distinction of picking up the loss in his first start with Reading without giving up an earned run.  The Phils closed out their series against Altoona with a 5-1 loss, and Knotts went 6 innings, giving up 8 hits and 4 runs (0 earned), as errors by Jason Hill and Hector Made led to the Altoona victory.  The Phils offense was very quiet as well, with their only run coming on an RBI single by Jason Hill. Both Mike Costanzo and Peeter Ramos had 2 hits for Reading.

Michael Garciaparra, who had just returned from (AAA) Ottawa became the hero in the bottom of the 9th Friday night, lacing a bases loaded single to win the game for Reading 6-5 over Altoona.  Josh Outman started and was far more effective then his first start giving up 3 runs over 7 innings.  He struck out 7.  The Phils had a big game offensively with Jason Hill going 2-4 with 3 runs scored, Juan Tejada going 2-4 with 2 RBI’s, and Joey Hammond going 2-5 with a run scored. On Saturday, Reading’s relief pitching and defense again imploded in a 8-6 loss to Binghamton. A four run eighth inning off reliever Julio DelaCruz (1-4) and errors by Mike Costazno(29) and Michael Garciaparra were the Phils undoing. Carlos Carrasco started and went 6 innings and gave up 3 runs on 6 hits.  Jason Hill hit his 9th homer with 2 outs in the ninth to shrink the lead, but it wasnt enough. Mike Costanzo was 3-5 with 2 runs scored and his 20th homer of the year and Joey Hammond went 2-4 with 2 runs scored. On Sunday, the Phils won a slugfest against Binghamton 13-8, with Mike Costanzo’s 2 homers (21,22) leading the way.  Peeter Ramos was  3-5 with 2 runs scored, a homer (8) and 3 RBI’s and Mike Spidale, Joey Hammond, Juan Tejada, and Tim Gradoville all had 2 hits in the offensive outburst. Zach Segovia (4-2) started and got the win, giving up 6 runs over 5 largely ineffective innings. On Tuesday night, the Phils were shutout by Bowie southpaw Chris Waters in a 6-0 loss.  Mike Spidale had 3 hits for the Phils and both Peeter Ramos and Jason Hill, had 2 apiece for the Phils who left 11 runners on base.  Pat Overholt(4-6)started and took the loss going 6 innings and giving up 6 runs (3 earned) while ealking 2 and striking out 8. On Wednesday, Bowie rightfielder Nolan Reimold crushed 2 three run homers leading Bowie to a 12-7 win over Reading.  Josh Outman (0-2) got the start and struggled going 5 innings and giving up 7 hits, and 7 runs, (6 earned), while walking three and striking out 5.  Offensively for Reading, Mike Costanzo hit his 23rd homer of the year, Greg Jacobs was 3-5 with a double, run and RBI, Joey Hammond was 2-4 with a homer (2), and 2 RBI’s and Jason Hill continued to be hot, going 2-4 with a run and an RBI.

Philers: Chris Key’s 2 saves against Altoona in both ends of a doubleheader marked the first time a Reading pitcher has done that since former 1st round draft pick Wayne Gomes back in 1996.

Julio Mateo, acquired from Seattle by the Phils, made his debut last Friday against Altoona and promptly blew a save. He is with Reading as his legal issues do not allow him to travel to Canada where the Phils AAA affiliate is located. Through last night, Mateo’s ERA is 11.25 with Reading.

Greg Jacobs was tossed out of last Fridays game against Altoona for throwing his bat.

Chris Key is leading the league in appearnces with 46.

The Phils have used 27 different pitchers this year.

Transactions: On Friday, INF Hector Made was sent back down to Clearwater.  He hit .100 while in Reading.  INF’s Joey Hammond and Michael Garciaparra were returned from Ottawa. Before returning to Reading, Garciaparra cleared waivers and was removed from the big Phils 40 man roster.