Reading Phillies Struggle to Find Runs

(Reading, Pa.)---For the second straight game, Reading  struggled to find home plate as the team was shut out by the Harrisburg Senators, 8-0, Friday night at FirstEnergy Stadium. The R-Phils (31-26) were held to five hits by Senators (33-27) starter Kevin Pucetas, who was making just his second start of the 2012 season. Pucetas also notched five strikeouts and zero walks.

While he struck out a season-high nine hitters, Trevor May allowed four runs and eight hits over 5.1 innings pitched. His last two runs were let in on a double by Devin Ivany off Frank Gailey, who relieved May in the inning. 

May's nine strikeouts move him into a tie with Binghamton starter Zack Wheeler for first among Eastern League strikeout leaders with 67 punch outs thus far.

Harrisburg continued its hit parade in the seventh inning when the team tagged relief pitcher Juan Morillo for four runs in just 0.1 innings pitched. Morillo allowed hits to five of the six batters he faced including a sacrifice fly to Jimmy Van Ostrand. The Senators added a run in the eighth inning off Jordan Whatcott. 

All in all, Harrisburg tallied nine runs on 17 hits. It was the most hits the R-Phils pitching staff has allowed since June 2, 2010 when they allowed 18 hits to New Hampshire.

Leandro Castro picked up his second straight multi-hit game by going 2-for-4 with two singles. Teammate Jiwan James went 2-for-4 for his first multi-hit game since May 23. Second baseman Cesar Hernandez was 0-for-4, ending his 11-game hitting streak.

Reading continues its three-game series versus the Harrisburg Senators on Saturday at 6:35 p.m. when RHP David Buchanan (2-5/4.04 ERA) against Harrisburg RHP Rob Gilliam (1-5/4.98 ERA). Tune into 1340 WRAW-AM on the radio dial or online at 1340WRAW.com starting at 6:05 p.m. for the pre-game show and game broadcast with the voice of the Reading Phillies, Brian Seltzer.

Carpenter Technology Corporation will be presenting a dazzling fireworks show for fans in attendance on Saturday night. Following the game, R-Phils pitcher Trevor May will be performing as his alter-ego DJ Hey Beef on the Weston Center Winning Smiles Stage in VIST Financial Plaza.

There's only 33 days remaining until the Baseballtown All-Star Classic and tickets for that and all regular season home games 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.