Biddle dominant in Reading win

READING - Jesse Biddle didn't get the win, but he did something even more encouraging. The lefthander gave one of his most commanding performances of the year in Reading's 7-6 win Tuesday. Statistically, it was his third-most accurate start this season.

For three innings, Biddle had everything figured out. The Inquirer's No. 2-ranked Phillies prospect allowed a run in the second and third innings against the Binghamton Mets. He also took a line drive off his hip.

Then the Germantown Friends product settled into a rhythm in the fourth. He struck out seven batters in the next three innings and held the lead for double-A Reading. Most important, he threw plenty of strikes (79 out of 109 pitches) and walked just three in his six innings of work.

"It's a game-changer, getting Strike 1," Biddle said. "I can't go out there and pitch 2-0 to every hitter. That makes it a lot harder to pitch."

Biddle has put up decent numbers this year - he has a 3.72 ERA and more than a strikeout per inning - but he hasn't mastered consistency or command. He is 4-12. He has just one win since May 21.

His control was becoming a concern. In his last 10 starts before Tuesday, he was 1-6 with a 5.11 ERA and 33 walks in 44 innings. He had issued seven walks in his previous start.

Biddle said he had better fastball command Tuesday. He threw his change-up, slider, and curveball for strikes.

"I think I've been putting a lot of pressure on myself and thinking a little bit too much on the mound," Biddle said. "And today I did a good job of relaxing.

"I felt really, really good, and I felt in control."