Ruf Powers R-Phils Over IronPigs

(Reading, Pa.)---The Reading Phillies came out on top 7-6 in the annual battle between the senior-most minor league clubs in the Philadelphia farm system Tuesday night at FirstEnergy Stadium. The game was part of the Fifth Annual Capital BlueCross 222 Showcase between the Reading Phillies (AA) and Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA).

The win was Reading’s first victory since the 2009 duel between the teams and the second in the five-year history of the event. Lehigh Valley leads the series 3-2.
First baseman Darin Ruf went 3-for-4 with three RBI and a home run to lead the Reading Phillies at the plate. The Creighton University product led the Florida State League in doubles (43) and total bases (245) in 2011. He also slammed 17 home runs for the Clearwater Threshers (A+).

The offense popped quickly for the R-Phils with centerfielder Tyson Gillies lining a double down the right field line to lead off the first inning. In the next at-bat, Cesar Hernandez slapped a double to drive in Gillies for the first run of the game. Ruf continued the hit parade in the first inning with his two-run home run.
Lehigh Valley didn’t go down without a fight, though. Kevin Frandsen knocked in a three-run double to give the IronPigs the brief lead in the top of the second inning. In the bottom half of the frame, Reading’s Tim Kennelly tied things up with a one-run single to drive in Jiwan James.

The R-Phils didn’t look back once they evened the game in the fourth inning. It was Hernandez and Ruf that once again led the charge for Reading in front of 2,592 fans. Hernandez hit a two-run double to put the give Reading the lead. The second baseman finished the day going 2-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored. Last season in Clearwater, he set professional highs in six categories, including runs and RBI.

On the mound, Julio Rodriguez struck out six hitters over 4.2 innings, while allowing five hits and six earned runs in his time in a Reading jersey. Fellow starter David Buchanan entered the game in relief during the sixth inning and allowed just one hit and no earned runs in three innings. Justin Friend got the save in the ninth inning. Friend, who played in Reading last season, allowed two hits and no runs.

Proceeds from the game’s ticket sales benefitted Baseballtown Charities, a non-profit 501 (c)(3) entity that was launched in 2002 in association with the Reading Phillies in order to keep baseball alive in Reading through charitable donations to underprivileged youth, who otherwise wouldn’t have the opportunity to play baseball. The organization was also founded to pay tribute to Reading’s rich baseball history. The organization underwent a re-branding during the offseason featuring a new character named Bunbino. The new logo and color scheme will play a part throughout the season and the 2012 Baseballtown All-Star Classic.