Alex Rodriguez Homers as Trenton Tops Reading

Trenton, N.J. - Alex Rodriguez blasted a two-run home run to left off of Reading starter Jesse Biddle, one of two homers allowed by the left-hander, as the Trenton Thunder defeated the Fightin Phils 6-2 in front of 8,080 fans and over 150 media members on Friday night at Arm and Hammer Park.

Reading (48-63) jumped out to an early lead. Matt Tolbert, making his first start since joining the club from Triple-A Lehigh Valley, doubled to left leading off the game. The former Minnesota Twin took third on a base hit to right from Zach Collier, giving the Fightins runners at the corners with no outs. With Albert Cartwright at the plate, Collier was thrown out trying to steal second leaving Tolbert at third with one down. Cartwright came through with a sacrifice fly to right-center, driving in the first run of the game.

Rodriguez gave Trenton (57-55) its first lead in the bottom of the third. Following a leadoff single from Ramon Flores, A-Rod - who has hit 647 home runs in 19 seasons - got ahead in the count 2-0 and blasted Biddle's next pitch deep over the left field wall to put the Thunder in front 2-1. It was the third home run for Rodriguez in 14 minor league games, his second off of a Reading pitcher. The 38-year-old also hit a two-run homer off of Austin Wright July 15th at FirstEnergy Stadium.

The Fightins responded in the top of the fourth, taking advantage of a leadoff walk from Collier. He took second base on a ground out to third and advanced to third base on a ground ball to second. Kelly Dugan fought off a couple of pitches with two strikes in the count and then singled back up the middle to drive in Collier to tie the game, 2-2.

The Thunder didn't have to wait long to reclaim the lead. Two pitches into the bottom of the fourth, Kyle Roller hit a Biddle fastball out to right-center field putting Trenton back in front 3-2.

Biddle (4-12) was lifted after five innings, allowing three runs and five hits in five innings. He struck out six batters and walked two while throwing 91 pitches.

Trenton would add some insurance runs in the bottom of the seventh. Hector Neris allowed the first three batters to reach on a walk and two singles. Following a strike out of Andrew Clark, Reggie Corona singled to left making it a 4-2 game. Roller then put the game out of reach with a two-run double to left, capping off a three-run seventh that gave Trenton a 6-2 advantage.

It was more than enough run support for Thunder starter Mikey O'Brien (6-6). He allowed two runs and four hits in six innings, striking out two batters and while walking two.

The loss was Reading's fifth straight at Arm and Hammer Park, and the Fightin Phils will attempt to end the streak on Saturday. Right-hander Brody Colvin (3-2) will make his first start since July 13th against right-hander Graham Stoneburner (0-1). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM with pre-game coverage beginning at 6:35 PM on Oldies 1340 WRAW.