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R-Phils' Bleak July Drags on in 6-2 Defeat

July 24, 2012 - Eastern League (EL) Reading Fightin Phils

(Reading, Pa.)---Reading Phillies (51-51) starter Mario Hollands allowed three earned runs over 6.2 innings pitched, but the team was dropped by the Altoona Curve (51-51), 6-2, at FirstEnergy Stadium on Tuesday night.

The loss is the R-Phils' third consecutive loss and the teams 17th loss in the month of July. Reading last lost 17 games in a month during August 2011. The month is also the last time Reading sat at a .500 winning percentage (62-62, 8/18/2011).

Reading looked as if it was going to turn their tragic month of play around when Sebastian Valle blasted his thirteenth home run to center field to give the team a one-run lead in the second inning. Valle's solo shot was his third in the past five games and continued the heavy-hitting catcher's eight-game hitting streak.

Yet, the Curve would answer in the third behind a Quincy Latimore triple to deep center field that scored leadoff man Robbie Grossman. Latimore then scored later in the inning behind an RBI single from Ramon Cabrera to give Altoona a one-run lead.

The R-Phils battled back in the fifth inning when shortstop Troy Hanzawa ripped a lead-off triple. In the next at-bat, Hollands grounded out, but drove in Hanzawa to the tie the game at two runs apiece.

Hollands retired the side in the sixth inning before surrendering the go-ahead run to Altoona in the seventh inning. After recording two outs, Hollands exited the game after striking out three and walking four batters. He has now lost five straight decisions dating back to July 1st, with his last win coming on June 26.

Reading reliever Ryan Duke was hit hard by Altoona hitters in the eighth inning as he gave up two singles to start the inning before allowing a run-scoring sacrifice fly to Stefan Welch. With two outs in the frame, Duke gave up a two-run double to pinch-hitter Adalberto Santos. Santos entered the game in place of Grossman, who was traded mid-game as part of a package to Houston in exchange for starter Wandy Rodriguez.

D'Arby Myers had the only multi-hit game for Reading as the outfielder picked up a single and a double. Since July 12, Myers has raised his average nearly 100 points from .152 to .241 in seven games.

Readings sends Jonathan Pettibone (8-7/3.43 ERA) to the mound against top Pirates prospect and 2011 overall number one pick Gerrit Cole (2-3/4.71). Tune into 1340 WRAW-AM on the radio dial or online at 1340WRAW.com starting at 6:35 p.m. for the game broadcast with the voice of the Reading Phillies, Brian Seltzer.

Tickets for all regular season home games, including the Crazy Hot Dog Vendor Soap Dispenser on Sunday, July 30, can be purchased online at www.RPhils.com, by phone at 610-370-BALL, and in person at the R-Phils Ticket Office at FirstEnergy Stadium. The 2012 season featuring the Baseballtown All-Star Classic at America's Classic Ballpark is presented by Pepsi.

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Eastern League Stories from July 24, 2012


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