Ruf's 34th HR Boosts R-Phils in 6-2 Triumph

(Reading, Pa.)---With Eastern League playoffs looming, the Reading Phillies (70-62) increased their lead at the second Eastern Division playoff spot with a 6-2 win over the Erie SeaWolves (55-76) in front of 8,607 fans at FirstEnergy Stadium on Friday night. Following tonight's loss by third-place New Britain, Reading now sits 2.0-games ahead for the final berth in the division with 10 games remaining in the regular season.

Reading wasted no time in scoring after Leandro Castro plated catcher Tommy Joseph in the second inning after the duo recorded back-to-back doubles. In the next frame, Darin Ruf added to his torrid month of August and drove his 34th home run over the left field wall. He now is tied with Hal Jones (1960) in second place among single-season home run leaders in Reading baseball history, three back of leader Ryan Howard. Ruf also passed Greg Luzinski for second among Reading Phillies hitters. 

In August, Ruf has powered 16 home runs in 24 games. His surge has put the slugger atop the Eastern League home run leaders (33) and RBI (93) leaders.

The R-Phils picked up some insurance runs in support of starter Adam Morgan during the fourth inning. Castro singled for his second of three hits and then scored the next play after Jiwan James laid down a sacrifice bunt that saw James reach third base after Erie pitcher Jared Wesson made an errant throw towards first base. After Miguel Abreu scored James on a sacrifice fly, Tyson Gillies and Cody Asche rattled consecutive hits off Wesson, with Asche's double to deep center field scoring Gillies. First baseman Jake Fox put a finishing touch on the inning when he scored Asche on a run-scoring double.

Gillies ended the night by going 2-for-5 with a run scored for his seventh multi-hit game in the past ten outings. 

Morgan picked up his third win in his fourth start with the Reading Phillies. The southpaw lasted six innings and yielded two earned runs on seven hits and one walk. Through four starts with Reading, he has given up two earned runs in three of his starts.

Jordan Whatcott, Jay Johnson, and Kyle Simon combined for three innings of scoreless relief as the team became the fourth squad in the Eastern League to roll to its 70th victory.

RHP Austin Hyatt (6-5/4.97 ERA) will start for the R-Phils on Saturday as he aims to stop a personal two-decision losing skid. 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 special guest announcer, Kale Beers. 

Tickets for all regular season and playoff home games, including the Harry Kalas Talking Bobblehead giveaway on August 27th, 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.