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After the game on Thursday, JC Ramirez stood in the hall way outside the visitors' clubhouse at Waterfront Park, talking to the media in his red toe socks . The only thing cooler than Ramirez's choice of footwear was the manner in which he sailed through the Trenton lineup. Ramirez threw a complete game while striking out 9 Thunder batters, walking none and surrendering just 2 earned runs to earn a loss for the Reading Phillies. Reading got on the board early. In the first inning, Mike Spidale reached on an error by Thunder shortstop Justin Snyder, then promptly stole second base. First baseman Matt Rizzotti then drove home Spidale when he smashed a double to left-center. The 21-year-old Ramirez, came out dealing. In each of the first two innings, JC gave up a lead-off single, but each Thunder runner was swiftly erased when the next Thunder batters, each inning, hit into a 4-6-3 double play. In the third inning, Trenton first baseman Marcos Vechionacci led off with a single. De...

The baseball world is buzzing this week with arbitration talk and World Baseball Classic roster announcements. Firstly, Tuesday was the day when players and teams exchange dollar numbers for arbitration. Reportedly, Ryan Howard is asking for $18 million, while the Phillies offered $14 million. So, if the two sides reach an arbitration hearing again this year, Howard would, at least, get a 40% raise. Wouldn't we all like to be guaranteed a 40% pay increase this year? While MVP-runner up Howard stayed headed toward arbitration, Ryan Madson , Joe Blanton and Shane Victorino have all come to terms with the Phillies on new contracts. Madson's deal is worth $12 million, with incentives, over 3 years. Shane's deal is for one year, and is for $3.125 million. Big Joe's contract is also a 1-year deal, worth $5.4 million. The remaining Phillies still up for arbitration, aside from Howard, are Jayson Werth and Chad Durbin . Werth is said to have requested $4 million, while...