(Reading, Pa.)---Cody Asche knocked in his third run in as many games, but the Reading Phillies (48-45) were edged by the Bowie Baysox (45-48), 3-1, on Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium. The loss drops the R-Phils six games back in the Eastern Division standings behind the division-leading Trenton Thunder. Reading has now dropped four straight series and 11 of its past 13 games.

Starter Jonathan Pettibone delivered a nearly flawless pitching performance as the California native allowed two hits through six innings to take the tough-luck loss. Both hits, though, were solo home runs hit by Rhyne Hughes and Jonathan Schoop in the fifth and sixth inning, respectively. Pettibone also struck out three batters while walking one in the best outing by an R-Phils starter this homestand. He is now 7-7 with a 3.61 ERA in 17 starts in 2012.

After two back-to-back appearances where he held opponents scoreless, Colby Shreve yielded a run in the eighth inning where he threw a wild pitch that caused Bowie catcher Brian Ward to score. In his two inning stint, Shreve was tagged for one earned run on two hits and three walks. He also struck out one. 

Ryan Duke continued to impress R-Phils fans as the righty hurled a perfect ninth inning in his second straight scoreless outing. 

The R-Phils hopped on the scoreboard first Sunday thanks to Asche's single that drove in Darin Ruf. Since being promoted on June 23, Asche has struggled with the R-Phils as the third baseman is hitting .153 (11-for-72) with eight RBI over 72 at-bats. With Clearwater, the University of Nebraska product hit .349 (89-for-255) with 13 doubles and 25 RBI in 62 games. Asche has started to find his way at the Double-A level as he recorded a home run, triple, and three RBI during the past four-game homestand. 

Outfielder Tyson Gillies made his long-awaited return to Baseballtown after sitting out since May 26 recovering from a concussion suffered in an outfield collision with Jiwan James in Harrisburg. He went 2-for-3 to continue his eight-game hitting streak that started on May 20. 

Designated hitter Brandon Tripp also picked up two hits on Sunday for his tenth multi-hit game this season.
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RHP Austin Hyatt (2-3/5.98 ERA) gets the start for the R-Phils when they look to get back on track at Portland and its LHP Drake Britton (1-2/3.93). 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 Jimmy Rollins Old School Bobblehead giveaway on July 23, 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.