Biddle turns in longest start of season

The Fightin Phils (34-29) avoided a four-game losing streak as they defeated the Trenton Thunder (35-29) 8-2 on Tuesday night behind Jesse Biddle's 7 2/3 inning performance. The Fightin Phils offense recorded 13 hits in assistance to Biddle's outing.  

Both teams only managed two hits each through the first four-plus innings until Trenton scored first in the bottom of the fifth inning. Eric Jagielo hit a triple with one out off Jesse Biddle (6-1). Dan Fiorito hit a sacrifice fly to give the Thunder a 1-0 lead.

Reading broke open the game off Thunder starter Caleb Smith (4-4) and reliever Connor Mullee in the top of the seventh inning as they took a 6-1 lead. Rene Garcia hit a two-run single which was followed by a two-run double by JP Crawford. Kelly Dugan added a sacrifice fly in his return to Reading and Aaron Altherr hit a RBI triple.

Aaron Judge added a RBI groundout off Biddle to cut the Fightins lead to 6-2 in the bottom of the seventh inning. KC Serna hit a RBI single off reliever Johnny Barbato in the top of the eighth inning to give Reading a 7-2 lead. Brock Stassi recorded his 50th RBI on the season as he singled in Kelly Dugan off Mark Montgomery in the top of the ninth inning to give Reading a 8-2 lead.

Colton Murray pitched 1 1/3 innings in relief to finish the game for Reading. He recorded two strikeouts. Cameron Perkins went 2 for 5 with a double and two runs to extend his hitting streak to 16 games.  

The Fightin Phils continue with the Thunder on Wednesday night. First pitch is at 7:00 pm. Fans can listen to the game on CBS Sports Radio 1240 AM/98-5 FM and fightins.com beginning at 6:30 pm. 

Tickets for the 2015 season are available online at Fightins.com, by phone at 610-370-BALL, and in-person at FirstEnergy Stadium.