EL1 Reading Fightin Phils

Mitchell, R-Phils Walk-Off in 12 with 8-7 Win Monday

June 7, 2011 - Eastern League (EL1)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release


(Reading, PA) -- Derrick Mitchell has quietly been one of the R-Phils most consistent hitters this season. On Monday, he wasn't so quiet.

Mitchell ripped the game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the 12th inning off Trenton reliever Cory Arbiso (4-3, 5.67), and the R-Phils beat the Trenton Thunder by a score of 8-7 in the opening game of their four-game series from FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading, PA.

A native of Paw Paw, MI, Mitchell, 24, entered the game hitting .412 with one home run and nine RBIs over his previous 10 games and had been hot as of late. A former 23rd round pick of the Phillies in the 2005 draft, he also entered the day with the fourth-best RBI total in the Eastern League (35) and eight home runs, after hitting one on Saturday.

In the bottom of the 12th inning, with the game on-the-line, Mitchell roped the Arbiso offering into right field for the game-winning single. The base knock was his only one on the night, but it was the most important one in the end - helping Reading to pull within one game of .500 at home (13-14). The win also helped Reading inch closer to Trenton, who began the day in a tie for first place with New Hampshire.

Reading reliever Justin De Fratus (4-0, 2.05) was solid for Reading in relief - helping to keep the Thunder from scoring in extra innings. De Fratus, a member of the Phillies 40-man roster, allowed just one run and one walk over three scoreless frames to earn the victory. He struck-out six batters and has not allowed a run over his last four appearances (8.1 innings).

Cody Overbeck, who started things in the top of the 12th with a single, had an outstanding day at the plate. Overbeck scored the game-winning run courtesy of Mitchell's single, but had season highs on the day. A native of Atoka, TN, Overbeck launched two key home runs in the game, and added five RBIs - both season-highs. He is the Eastern League leader in both categories.

The win for Reading snapped their two-game losing skid. It was their second win of the season against Trenton and are now 2-6 this year against the Thunder.

Reading starter Josh Zeid allowed five runs on five hits over just 4.1 innings. The New Haven, CT native walked three and fanned three batters and did not factor in the decision. He allowed a season-high four home runs.

Trenton starter Manny Banuelos allowed five runs on nine hits over just four innings of work. Banuelos, 20, walked three and allowed two home runs on the evening. The five earned runs and two home runs allowed were both season-highs. It was the first time he allowed a home run this season.

The two clubs will be back at it again on Tuesday for game two of their four-game series. RHP Tyler Cloyd (0-0, 0.00) will get the nod for Reading. Cloyd, 24, will make his first start of the season with Reading, after making five starts for Clearwater (A+) this year. The Bellevue, NE native went 3-1 with a 2.75 ERA in 13 appearances for the Threshers this year. He's appeared in just one game with the R-Phils so far in 2011, and allowed one hit over one scoreless inning.

Trenton will send LHP Kei Igawa (2-2, 4.26) to the hill on Tuesday. Igawa, a native of Japan, will make his fifth start of the season and his 11th appearance of the year when he takes the mound Tuesday. The lefty was originally signed by the Yankees to a five-year contract on December 27, 2006. Last season he went 3-4 with a 4.32 ERA for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Coverage begins with the R-Phils pre-game at 6:35 p.m. on ESPN Radio 1240 AM WIOV and readingphillies.com. Brian Seltzer will have the call for all of the action. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

Phillers... Mitchell finished the game 1-6... Overbeck now has 16 home runs and 43 RBIs... Jake Diekman fanned the side in the eighth inning... He struck-out four over two shutout innings of work... Michael Spidale continued his torrid pace at the plate... Spidale went 3-4 and raised his batting average to .328 on the season... Spidale, Overbeck, and Freddy Galvis each had three hits... Galvis went 3-5 with two runs scored on the evening... He also committed his 11th error of the season... He had 11 errors in 2010... Trenton used six pitchers on the evening... They had five home runs on the night... Tuesday's game will be fan friendly and canine friendly, as the R-Phils present another great Bark in the Park, thanks to the Humane Society of Berks County / 830 AM WEEU / 69 News Berks Edition... Fans are encouraged to bring their pooch to the ballpark and all dogs are welcome in all areas of the ballpark with a $5 Dog Ticket.

Check out the Reading Fightin Phils Statistics



Eastern League Stories from June 7, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central