Velasquez eager to put first half behind him

TRENTON » Vince Velasquez said he’s ready to put a disappointing first half behind him and get back on the mound for the Phillies.

The right-hander took another step toward a return to the major leagues with a three-inning, 52-pitch rehab start for Double-A Reading in Trenton on Thursday night.

Velasquez has been on the disabled list since May 31 with a right flexor strain, and this marked his second rehab appearance as he targets a return to the Phillies sometime after the All-Star break.

“I really need to bear down and try to knock out these starts here and start fresh the second half,” Velasquez said. “I’m sure the way things are going right now with secondary pitches and gaining confidence, it seems like it’s going to turnaround just fine.”

The right-hander allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits, struck out four and walked one. His fastball sat consistently at 95 miles per hour and he finished his night after 52 pitches (33 strikes).

Billy Fleming belted a tworun homer for the Thunder in the first inning on an 0-1 fastball that ran across the middle of the plate.

“The first inning was pretty much jitters,” Velasquez said. “The first inning is always rough, even the last outing I had was kind of hard, but just settling in after the first was good. The command of the curveball, changeup and slider, especially today, I’m really gaining a lot of feel with all my pitches.

“I know utilizing the secondary pitches is a must, but it’s paying off, all the bullpens right now. I’m (using) the downtime to reflect back on videos and film . ... ”