The Reading Phillies had a tough week, dropping 4 out of 6 games to skid into the all-star break at 39-56.  It was an unusual week, with lots of player movement and awkward scheduling due in part to the futures game held Monday at Yankee Stadium.  There was also a Brett Myers sighting this week, so lets get to all of the action in the game recaps…

Game Recaps

7/9 – Reading Phillies vs. Erie SeaWolves

The Phils got off to a bad start of the week, as the offense was dormant in a 6-1 loss to the SeaWolves.  Brummett (LP) pitched well for the second straight start, earning both a quality start and a loss.  He finished the night after 6.2 innings of work, giving up 7 hits, 3 walks, and 4 runs, 3 of which were earned.  As usual, Brummett collected a bunch of strikeouts, totaling 6 on the evening.  Outman continued his bullpen resurgence, pitching 1.1 innings of shutout ball, with 0 walks and 1 strikeout.  While the pitching was mediocre, the offense was miserable.  The Phillies spread 8 singles throughout the game, and did not collect a single extra-base hit all night.  Very boring stuff.

7/10 – Reading Phillies vs. Erie SeaWolves

I guess the offense was just saving up for tonight, as they blasted 14 hits to score 14 runs en route to a 14-10 victory.  The win gave the Phillies the series win over the SeaWolves as well, 2 games to 1.  Garcia got bombed in his second outing at AA, giving up 7 earned runs in 4.2 innings of work.  This outing was a far cry from his debut, where he lasted 6 innings and gave up only 2 earned runs.  Walls followed Garcia and continued suit, as he gave up an additional 2 earned runs in only .2 innings.  Walls now has an era of 8.38 in 11 appearances at Reading.  The only successful pitcher on the night was the resurgent Outman (WP).  Outman pitched 1.2 innings, giving up only 1 hit with 0 walks and 1 strikeout.  The offense was the real story.  While every regular besides Harman and Harris collected at least one hit, the damage was done by Donald and the newly healed Golson.  Both men went 3-5 with 1 home run and 3 runs batted in.  It was quite the return for Golson, who showed no lingering effects from his injury and month long absence.

7/11 – Reading Phillies vs. Akron Aeros

The Phillies ran into the Eastern League Southern Division leading Aeros, and, as usual, got beat.  It was a close ballgame, however, with the final score being 3-2 in favor of the Aeros.  The pitching was great, lead by a futures game shortened appearance by Carrasco.  Carrasco, fresh off of his schoulder scare, pitched 2 decent innings.  He gave up 1 hit and 1 walk, while collecting 2 strikeouts.  The next pitcher, who was expected to pitch deep into the game, was Castro.  Castro did not dissapoint.  He pitched 6 innings of 1 run ball.  He also struck out 5 Aeros.  With the lead and going into the 9th inning, the Phillies called on Overholt (LP) to close the door.  Unfortunately, Overholt opened all the doors, and several windows.  He promtly gave up 2 hits, 1 of which was a dinger, to give the Aeros 2 earned runs and the lead 3-2.  It was Overholt’s 4th blown save out of 14 oppurtunities on the seaon.  The offense was quiet, even though they did just enough to allow Overholt to blow the game.  7 hits were spread throughout the lineup, with Donald and Blalock collecting 1 rbi each.  Golson followed up his 3-5 performance with an 0-4 and 1 strikeout.

7/12 – Reading Phillies vs. Akron Aeros

Different game, as the Aeros jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead, but ended with the same result as the Phillies once again lost 3-2.  Myers made his first appearance for Reading since 2001, pitching very well after a rough first few innings.  All in all, Myers lasted 8 innings, giving up only 5 hits, 2 walks, and 3 runs, 2 of which were earned.  He did allow a dreaded long ball, but also struckout an impressive 10 batters.  The offense was quiet without 3 of their futures game stars.  The best of the rest was Appert, who had 1 home run and 1 rbi.

7/13 – Reading Phillies vs. Akron Aeros

The Phils snuck out a victory against the Aeros, winning 5-3 behind two strong pitching performances by JD Durbin (WP) and Josh Outman.  Durbin lasted 7 innings, giving up 3 earned runs on 7 hits and 1 walk while also striking out 4.  Outman continued his bullpen revival, giving up 1 hit in 1.1 innings of work. Once again, he issued 0 walks. With the all-stars gone, it was up to the lesser known players to deliver. The offense was led by Harris and Nelson. Harris went 2-3 with 1 home run and 2 rbi. While Nelson went 3-4 with 1 hr and 2 rbi.

7/14 – Reading Phillies vs. Akron Aeros

The good vibes did not continue, as the Phils dropped their last game of the first half while simultaneously losing 3 of 4 to the Aeros by getting edged 5-3. The starting pitching was not at fault, however, as Brummett turned in a very nice performance. Much like Durbin the previous night, Brummett lasted 7 innings while giving up 7 hits and 3 walks which led to 2 earned runs. Brummett uncharacteristically only struck out one batter on the evening. This loss can be hung on Walls (LP), who was asked to save the game but could not. This was the second blown save of the series for the Phils, as Overholt blew a one run lead in the series opener. The offense was steady if not exciting, as every regular besides Harris and Blalock got exactly 1 hit. Harris tallied 2 hits while Blalock took an 0’fer. The big hit of the game for the Phils was had by Appert, who knocked in all three runs on a home run.

Prospect Watch

It was a bit of an off week for prospects, as several of our best only played in 4 games. The pitchers who were left behind did shine, however. The best pitcher on the week was Outman. He had 3 terrific appearances on the week totaling 4.1 innings. The best stat is the in those 4.1 innings, he had exactly 0 walks to go along with 2 hits and, of course, 0 earned runs. In my opinion, the only reason the Phillies moved Outman to the bullpen was so that he could help the big club this year. Well, I do not know how much left he has to prove in the bullpen role. I would be surprised if we do not see Outman make his Philadelphia Phillies debut within the next several weeks. Two other pitchers also had great weeks. The first pitcher, a true prospect, was Brummett. On the week, Brummett pitched 13.2 innings, while giving up 14 hits, 6 walks, and 5 earned runs. More importantly, he has now put together 3 straight quality starts after getting roughed up in 2 of his first 3 Reading starts. Hopefully, we see this trend continue after the break. Finally, the last pitcher, is not really a prospect, but you can’t ignore what he has done. JD Durbin has pitched amazingly well at AA Reading. This week, he had yet another great start lasting 7 innings. He now has a season era of 2.60 at Reading, and has totaled 8 quality starts out of his 11 appearances. Maybe it is time to move him back up to the ‘Pigs and see if he can maintain his success.