Biddle Excels as Fightins Nip Fisher Cats, 2-1

Pitching prospect strikes out six and gives up just three hits in triumph

By Eric Scarcella

August 23, 2013

READING, Pa.---Jesse Biddle struck out six to pick up his first winning decision since July 18th as the Reading Fightin Phils (56-75) inched past the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (64-66), 2-1, in front of 8,408 fans at FirstEnergy Stadium on Friday evening. The win snapped a 10-game losing streak that dated back to April 23rd.

After a rocky July where he put up a 7.11 ERA, Biddle continued his successful August. He allowed two hits in as many at-bats in the first inning and gave up his and the team's lone run on a ground out. Biddle then went through the next 14 batters without surrendering a hit to the Fisher Cats, striking out six in the process. His third, and final, hit allowed came in the sixth inning before he induced a double play to cap off his effective outing.

The Phillies top prospect exited the game after throwing 96 pitches-60 strikes-in six innings. He struck out six and walked three to improve to 5-13 this season. In August, Biddle is 1-2 with a 2.79 ERA, 33 strikeouts, and 15 walks.

Reading scored two runs in the third inning to lift the Fightins in the victory. Utility man Troy Hanzawa led off the frame with a triple and scored an at-bat later when Edgar Duran slipped a single through the right side of the infield. Zach Collier then doubled later in the inning to send home Duran for the decisive run.

Duran wrapped up his night with by going 2-for-3 with a double for his first multi-hit performance since July 30th.

Biddle's winning start was buoyed by a solid bullpen effort from Seth Rosin and Kyle Simon. Making his return to the bullpen following a career year in innings pitched, Rosin struck out one in a perfect seventh inning. Kyle Simon came on for the final two innings and received his ninth save to tie the team lead.

RHP Perci Garner (0-0, ---) will make his Fightins debut at 1:00 p.m. in the first of Saturday's two games. RHP Juan Sosa (3-4, 6.25 ERA) will start the evening tilt for Reading. RHP Tyson Brummett (1-5, 5.17 ERA) will go in the first game for New Hampshire followed by RHP Chad Jenkins (0-0, 1.20 ERA). Tune into Oldies 1340 WRAW-AM or MiLB.TV for the game broadcast with Fightins play-by-play announcer Anthony Oppermann at 12:30 p.m.

Fightins Fillers: By going 1-for-1 with a double, Zach Collier lifted his batting average to .218 this season. In August, he is .347 (25-for-72) with 11 runs scored, three doubles, two triples, and a home run…Biddle is leading the Eastern League in strikeouts (150) and games started (26) following his performance on Friday.