A pair of the Reading Phillies have swept the Eastern League’s weekly awards as first baseman Darin Ruf and right-handed pitcher Julio Rodriguez have been named the Eastern League Player of the Week and Eastern League Pitcher of the Week, respectively. It’s the first time that both of the Double-A rookies have won the award.

Ruf batted .455 (10-for-22) with three home runs, three doubles, and 12 RBI. The Creighton University product also scored six runs and recorded three walks. Over the course of six games, Ruf had four multiple hit games, highlighted by his 3-for-3 performance with a home run and four RBI on Wednesday afternoon in a win against the Trenton Thunder. From May 6 to May 10, Ruf powered four home runs in as many games. He ended the week with 12 RBI and a 1.000 slugging percentage.

His standout week has vaulted him to the league lead in batting average (.383), RBI (27), and total bases (76). Ruf also has nine doubles, six home runs, and 23 runs scored so far this season. In 2011, Ruf led the Florida State League in doubles (43) and total bases (245).

Rodriguez went 1-0 with 0.00 ERA over 11.0 innings pitched across two games during the time frame. The Puerto Rico native received a no-decision last Tuesday when he struck out five batters and allowed four hits and four walks over five shutout innings against Trenton. In his second appearance of the week, Rodriguez struck out three and walked five while giving up an unearned run over six innings in a 6-4 win at New Britain.

The Reading Phillies have lost just one game across Rodriguez’s seven starts. His record currently sits at 3-0 with a 2.25 ERA in 36.0 innings pitched. Last season with the Clearwater Threshers (A+), Rodriguez led the Florida State League in wins (16) and finished second in ERA (2.76) and strikeouts (168).

Tickets for all 2012 regular season home games, as well as all Baseballtown All-Star Classic events, can be purchased online at www.RPhils.com, by phone at 610-370-BALL, and in person at the R-Phils Ticket Office located at FirstEnergy Stadium. The 2012 season featuring the Baseballtown All-Star Classic at America’s Classic Ballpark is presented by Pepsi.