Phillies Minor League Report: Tommy Joseph homers for second consecutive day
Here’s a rundown on how the Phillies’ minor league teams fared on Tuesday, April 22:
Here's a rundown on how the Phillies' minor league teams fared on Tuesday, April 22:
Lehigh Valley IronPigs – Triple A
The IronPigs started an eight-game home stand off right with a 6-3 victory over the Norfolk Tides at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, Pa.
A pair of home runs provided the offense for Lehigh Valley. Catcher Koyie Hill hit a two-run blast in the second and designated hitter Leanadro Castro crushed a three-run shot in the fourth. Those homers were the first of the season for both players.
The runs helped make a winner out of left-handed starter Greg Smith (2-0, 2.04 ERA), who allowed two runs (one earned) on seven hits and a walk while striking out three over six innings.
Righties Phillippe Aumont and Justin De Fratus each allowed a hit in their scoreless innings of work to close out the win.
Third baseman Maikel Franco had an 0-for-4 day to lower his average to .134.
The IronPigs improved to 9-10 on the season and will look to climb back to .500 when the series continues Wednesday. Righty Barry Enright (0-1, 4.02 ERA) is slated to take the hill for Lehigh Valley.
Reading Fightin Phils – Double A
The Fightin Phils suffered a 11-5 loss to the Richmond Flying Squirrels at FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading, Pa.
Right-handed starter Perci Garner pitched two scoreless innings before a rain delay ended his outing.
When play resumed, the Flying Squirrels took a 3-0 lead in the third, but the Fightin Phils scored the next four runs.
In the fifth, center fielder Aaron Altherr drew a one-out walk before catcher Tommy Joseph hit his second home run in as many days to cut the lead to 3-2.
Shortstop Edgar Duran came up big for Reading in the seventh with a bases-loaded, two-out single to score two for a 4-3 lead.
Unfortunately, the Fightin Phils allowed eight runs in the final two innings to lose.
The Fightin Phils' record fell to 10-6. The teams will each go for a series win in the finale on Wednesday. Lefty Jesse Biddle (1-2, 3.80 ERA) takes the ball for Reading.
Clearwater Threshers – Class A-Advanced
The Threshers were crushed by the Daytona Cubs, 18-5, at Bright House Field in Clearwater, Fla. The Threshers have now lost five games in a row.
In the first two innings, the Threshers were able to build an early 3-0 lead. However, the wheels came off abruptly.
Four Threshers pitchers surrendered 17 hits and eight walks to allow five multi-run innings in the game.
Right-handed starter Miguel Nunez (1-2, 5.48 ERA) was stuck with the loss. He was rocked for seven runs on eight hits and a three walks over 3 1/3 innings.
Designated hitter KC Serna (2-for-5 with a triple and a run scored) and third baseman Harold Martinez (2-for-5 with a double and a strikeout) had multi-hit games.
Center fielder Peter Lavin (1-for-4 with a double, an RBI, a walk and a strikeout) scored twice.
The loss dropped the Threshers to 3-15. Clearwater will try to avoid a series sweep on Wednesday as righty Jeb Stefan (0-1, 11.12 ERA) is scheduled to make the start.
Lakewood BlueClaws – Class A
The BlueClaws beat the Charleston RiverDogs, 7-5, at FirstEnergy Park in Lakewood Township, N.J.
The first three batters in the BlueClaws' lineup did their job and sparked the offense. Shortstop J.P. Crawford (2-for-4 with a strikeout), center fielder Carlos Tocci (1-for-2 with an RBI and a walk) and right fielder Dylan Cozens (2-for-4 with a home run, a triple, two RBI and a strikeout) all scored twice in the win.
Right-handed starter Tyler Viza provided a quality start, but didn't factor in the decision. He was charged with three runs on eight hits and a walk while striking out three over six innings.
The difference in the game came in the eighth with the score tied at five apiece. Tocci drew a one-out walk in front of Cozens' RBI triple. First baseman Willians Astudillo followed with an RBI single.
The win lifted the BlueClaws to 5-12 on the season. The rubber match is set for Wednesday as Lakewood turns to Alejandro Arteaga (1-2, 6.23 ERA).