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EL1 Reading Fightin Phils

Ruf Lights up B-Mets for Two Hr in 4-1 Win

August 3, 2012 - Eastern League (EL1)
Reading Fightin Phils News Release


(Reading, Pa.)---Slugger Darin Ruf powered two home runs as the Reading Phillies soared past the Binghamton Mets, 4-1, on Friday night at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Since sitting at a .500 winning percentage on July 24, Reading has won eight of its last nine games. With wins by both Trenton and New Britain, Reading sits a 0.5 game behind the Rock Cats for a wild card playoff berth and 8.5 games from the Eastern Division lead.

Down by a run in the first inning, Ruf knocked his 19th home run of the season, a solo shot, off former Kutztown University pitcher Darin Gorski to tie the score at one run apiece. The Nebraska native blasted his second shot, his 20th, to lead off the sixth inning and pad the R-Phils' lead. At the conclusion of Eastern League play on Friday night, Ruf trails Trenton's Luke Murton by one home run among Eastern League home run leaders. He finished the game 2-for-4.

Newly-minted Reading starter Ethan Martin made quite the debut as the right-handed pitcher picked up his first winning decision since being traded to the Philadelphia Phillies organization by the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for outfielder Shane Victorinio. The former Chattanooga Lookouts pitcher struck out six batters while limiting Binghamton to one earned run over six innings. He also gave up four hits and only one walk. Martin now improves to 9-6 at the Double-A level this season with a 3.48 ERA.

Martin's impressive debut did not come without a bump in the road, though. After punching out the first batter he faced, Martin surrendered a solo home run to Wilmer Flores. The home run was the first Marin had given up since June 14th.

Left fielder D'Arby Myers hit his second home run of the season with his two-run bomb in the fourth inning that broke the tie. Right fielder Leandro Castro also had a double in the win.

Closer Justin Friend, who returned to the Reading Phillies on Wednesday after a stint with Lehigh Valley (AAA), came on in the ninth inning to convert his 16th save in 16 save opportunities. Even though he had not played with Reading since June 27th, Friend ranks second among Eastern League leaders in saves, three behind Preston Guilmet of the Akron Aeros.

Reading aims to sweep its fifth doubleheader in 2012 as RHP Julio Rodriguez (6-4, 4.02 ERA) takes mound in Game One and RHP Jordan Whatcott (1-3, 4.89) starts Game Two. Tune into 1340 WRAW-AM on the radio dial or online at 1340WRAW.com starting at 5:05 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 Door Mat on Sunday, August 5th, 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 August 3, 2012


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