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EL1 Reading Fightin Phils

R-Phils return home Thursday

May 13, 2009 - Eastern League (EL1)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release


Schedule and Probable Starters

Thursday, May 14 vs. Harrisburg, 6:35 PM

Harrisburg: LHP Justin Jones (1-4, 4.10 ERA)

Reading: LHP Joe Savery (2-1, 4.22 ERA)

Friday, May 15 vs. Harrisburg, 7:05 PM

Harrisburg: RHP Luis Atiliano (1-3, 7.50 ERA)

Reading: RHP Vance Worley (3-0, 2.11 ERA)

Saturday, May 16 vs. Harrisburg, 6:05 PM

Harrisburg: LHP Ross Detwiler (0-3, 2.96 ERA)

Reading: RHP Mike Stutes (3-1, 3.19 ERA)

Sunday, May 17 vs. Harrisburg, 1:05 PM

Harrisburg: LHP Cory VanAllen (0-3, 6.33 ERA)

Reading: LHP Antonio Bastardo (2-1, 1.63 ERA)

Starters for New Britain series TBA

Worley Bird

P Vance Worley garnered Eastern League Pitcher of the Week (5/4-5/10) honors after going 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA over 14 innings with 13 strikeouts in his two starts last week against Connecticut (6 IP, 2 ER, 7 SO) and Altoona (8.0 IP, 1 ER, 1 BB, 6 SO). A third-round draft pick out of Long Beach State University in the 2008 draft, Worley is the first R-Phil to win a weekly award since P Gary Knotts and P Carlos Carrasco earned the honor in consecutive weeks in August of 2007. Worley was also named the Phillies Minor League Pitcher of the Week.

Winning the Close Ones

Reading is 7-3 in one-run games and 7-2 in two-run contests. No team in the Eastern League has as many close games (19) or victories (14) this season. Akron is second with eleven close victories; Altoona and Trenton are tied for second with eighteen close games.

Glovely

With a .984 fielding percentage (17 errors in 1,081 total chances) the R-Phils are tied for the Eastern League lead in defense. No Reading outfielder has committed an error in 170 total chances and second baseman Brad Harman has just one miscue in 28 games. Infielder Carlos Leon has only one error in 19 games split between second, third, and shortstop. Reading catchers have collectively thrown out 14 of 21 runners attempting to steal (.400).

Sealing the Deal

P Sergio Escalona is tied for third in all of Minor League Baseball in saves (10) with Binghamton's Roy Merritt. Escalona is 0-0 with a 2.20 ERA in thirteen games this season. He has tossed 9.2 consecutive scoreless innings, dating back to April 25. In that seven game span the lefthander has allowed just eight baseruners (3 BB, 5 H), struck out nine batters and recorded six saves in six chances.

On The Leader Boards

P Antonio Bastardo ranks fourth in the Eastern League in ERA (1.63) and first overall in the Phillies organization. P Vance Worley is also among the league leaders, ranking seventh with a 2.11 mark... The two hurlers are also among the leaders in strikeouts. Worley is third with 34 SO's and Bastardo is fifth with 32 punchouts. The Reading staff's 227 combined strikeouts are third-best in the league... CF Quintin Berry ranks fourth in stolen bases (9). Home Sweet Home The R-Phils are 10-5 at FirstEnergy Stadium this season... Reading's pitching staff has posted a 3.11 ERA over 138 innings at home... 19 of the team's 23 steals have occured on home turf... Reading has also drawn 56 walks at home versus 30 in 14 road games.

Vs. Lefties

Reading is hitting .280 (99-354) with five homers and 39 against lefthanded pitching this season. C Tuffy Gosewisch is the R-Phils leading batter vs. southpaws, hitting .393 (11-28) with four doubles.

World Championship Ring giveaway

On Sunday, May 17 the first 2,000 children (ages 14 and under) in attendance will receive a replica 2009 Phillies World Championship ring compliments of Betty's Salads. After the game all fans in attendance will be invited to run the bases at the ballpark, sponsored by Channel 69 Berks Edition. Sunday is also a Berks Packing and Stroehmann's-sponsored Dollar Dog Day.

Mmmm... Beer

For the second time this season, FirstEnergy Stadium will host a beer tasting festival this season in the Pool Picnic Area on Thursday, May 14. Sponsored by Y102 and All-Star Distributing, the festival will showcase six breweries for two hours as well as a two-and-a-half hour buffett.

Pack Your Bags for Friday/Fireworks

On Friday, May 15 White Star Travel Center, 830 AM WEEU, and Lifestyle Limousine are giving away a trip to a group of four to the nation's capital to see the Philadelphia Phillies take on the Washington Nationals this weekend. The lucky fans will receive a limo ride to and from Washington, D.C. and be able to catch the Phils' doubleheader on Saturday, May 16 and game on Sunday, May 17. Friday is also a fireworks night, compliments of Carpenter Technology Group and a Celebrate Your Faith night - thanks to WFMZ TV. For $48 families can purchase four tickets and receive four sodas and four hot dogs as a part of Pepsi 4 for $48 Night. All fans are invited for a pre-game catch on the field. Classic Cafe gates open at 5:00 on Friday for live music, $1-off select beers and Kids Happy Half Hour (a free 30 minutes in Phunland for Redner's Kids Club Members). The Alligator Blues Band will play in a concert before and after the game thanks to Classic Harley-Davidson.

Fireworks on Muhlenberg Muhls Night

On Saturday, May 16 the R-Phils will take the field in Muhlenberg High School jerseys. After the contest, the game-worn uniforms will be raffled and auctioned off as a benefit to the Muhlenberg High School Athletic Booster Club. Also on Saturday, All-Star Distributing and Coors Light are sponsoring a postgame firework show. Classic Cafe gates will open at 4:00 for the R-Phils mascot game concert, $1-off select beer, and for Kids Happy Half Hour (a free 30 minutes in Phunland for Redner's Kids Club Members). After the firework display, the Josh Taylor Trio will play in a post-game concert compliments of Classic Harley-Davidson.

Tipping the Scales

Tuesday, May 19 will be Gluttony Night at the ballpark sponsored by Rock Hits Y102. From the time gates open at 5:30 to the seventh inning stretch Baseballtown's hungriest citizens can take as many trips to the concession stands as they want. Fans wishing to participate in Gluttony Night can purchase $7 all-you-can-eat wristbands in addition to their regular ticket. For $12, spectators can buy a combination general admission ticket/wristband. Tuesday is also Baseball Bingo Night.

AM Baseball

Wednesday, May 20 and Thursday, May 21 are Pepsi Education Days at First- Energy Stadium. Berks County Area schools will visit the ballpark for the set of 11:05 AM games which will feature a 2009 R-Phils team photo for the first 3,000 children in attendance. There will also be a pre-game academic challenge.

Broadcasts

Thursday, May 14 vs. Harrisburg, 6:35 PM Radio: Air-time 6:05 PM, ESPN 1240 AM, online at rphils.com Television: Air-time 6:30 PM, TV2 Sports (check listings)

Friday, May 15 vs. Harrisburg, 7:05 PM, Radio: Air-time 6:05 PM, SPN 1240 AM, online at rphils.com Television: Air-time 7:00 PM, TV2 Sports (check listings)

Saturday, May 16 vs. Harrisburg, 6:05 PM Radio: Air-time 5:35 PM, ESPN 1240 AM, online at rphils.com

Sunday, May 17 vs. Harrisburg, 1:05 PM Radio: Air-time 12:35 PM, ESPN 1240 AM, online at rphils.com

Tuesday, May 19 vs. New Britain, 6:35 PM Radio: Air-time 6:05 PM, ESPN 1240 AM, online at rphils.com

Wednesday, May 20 vs. New Britain, 11:05 AM Radio: Air-time 10:35 AM, ESPN 1240 AM, online at rphils.com

Thursday, May 21 vs. New Britain, 11:05 AM Radio: Air-time 10:35 AM, ESPN 1240 AM, online at rphils.com

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