Biddle rights ship with Fightin Phils

Jesse Biddle got back on track for the Fightin Phils on Tuesday, and in the process, did something he hadn't done in a while -- win.

The Phillies' top prospect allowed three hits and struck out nine over 7 2/3 innings as Double-A Reading blanked Altoona, 3-0.

Biddle (3-3) took a no-hitter into the fifth inning before Carlos Paulino singled with two outs. The Pennsylvania native threw 60 of his 109 pitches for strikes while making his longest Eastern League start of the season for the Fightin Phils.

"Even though I didn't have my best stuff, especially early, I wasn't really willing to quit on myself," Biddle told The Reading Eagle. "You've gotta find it."

It was the first win in a month for the 21-year-old left-hander. After a red-hot start in which he posted a 1.74 ERA in five April outings, Biddle entered Tuesday's game having allowed eight earned runs in 11 2/3 innings in May. Overall, he sports a 2.50 ERA and is tied with Portland's Brandon Workman for the Eastern League lead with 60 strikeouts.

"It is nice to walk out of there with a bunch of zeros up," he told the newspaper. "I left the game with my team up, that feels great."

Biddle battled some command problems, tying a season high by issuing four walks while notching his first home victory of the season. He also walked and scored a run, getting a chance to do something he had wanted to do for a while -- get dirty.

"I always wanted to slide in a game, get my pants dirty, look like a ballplayer for the first time," Biddle said.

Mauricio Robles allowed a hit over the final 1 1/3 innings to pick up his second save for Reading.

Zach Collier was 2-for-4 with a homer and two runs scored while Tyson Gillies hit an RBI double for the Fighin Phils.

Rehabbing Charlie Morton allowed two runs on four hits over 4 2/3 innings, falling to 1-1 for the Curve.