Phillies Minor League Report: Jesse Biddle pitches seven shutout innings in win
Here’s a rundown on how the Phillies’ minor league teams fared on Wednesday, April 23:
Here's a rundown on how the Phillies' minor league teams fared on Wednesday, April 23:
Lehigh Valley IronPigs – Triple A
The IronPigs rallied to beat the Norfolk Tides, 5-4, in walk-off fashion at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, Pa. The win extended Lehigh Valley's winning streak to four games.
In the top of the first, center fielder Tyson Gillies, left fielder Clete Thomas and first baseman Maikel Franco hit back-to-back-to-back singles to start the game and give the IronPigs a quick lead. Franco didn't notch an RBI due to an error that allowed Gillies to score. Designated hitter Jim Murphy added an RBI groundout to score Thomas for a 2-0 lead.
Right-handed starter Barry Enright couldn't hold the lead. He allowed four runs on three hits and three walks while striking out five over five innings.
Trailing 4-2 in the eighth with one out, catcher Sebastian Valle and second baseman Troy Hanzawa hit consecutive singles to spark a rally. Valle would score on Gillies' RBI double and a wild pitch brought home Hanzawa to even the score.
Right fielder Steve Susdorf hit a leadoff single in the ninth and the IronPigs were able to bring him around to earn the victory. After a walk and a fielder's choice move Susdorf to third, Hanzawa lifted a ball to the outfield for a walk-off sacrifice fly.
The IronPigs offense didn't allow 15 hits and five walks go waste in the win. Five players had multi-hit games: Gillies (3-for-4 with a double, a walk, an RBI, a run scored and a strikeout), Thomas (2-for-3 with a run scored and two walks), Franco (2-for-5 with a strikeout), Susdorf (3-for-5 with a run scored and a strikeout) and Valle (2-for-5 with a double and a run scored).
The win lifted the IronPigs back to .500 at 10-10. Righthander Sean O'Sullivan (0-2, 4.60 ERA) will take the ball for Lehigh Valley as the series continues Thursday.
Reading Fightin Phils – Double A
The Fightin Phils edged the Richmond Flying Squirrels, 1-0, for a series win at FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading, Pa.
Left-handed starter Jesse Biddle (2-2, 2.86 ERA) spun a gem to earn the win. He needed 106 pitches in his seven scoreless innings, striking out 10 batters and surrendering only two hits and a walk.
The game's only run came in the fourth. First baseman Cam Perkins led off the frame with a single and scored three batters later when catcher Tommy Joseph notched a two-out RBI single.
Righty Ken Giles gave up two hits and struck out one in the ninth to record his sixth save of the season.
The Fightin Phils improved to 11-6 on the season. After an off day, Reading will begin a three-game series with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats on Friday.
Clearwater Threshers – Class A-Advanced
The Threshers avoided a series sweep with a 6-3 victory over the Daytona Cubs at Bright House Field in Clearwater, Fla. The win also snapped a five-game losing streak.
Right-handed starter Jeb Stefan (1-1, 6.75 ERA) let up a first inning run, but that's all he would allow in his five innings of work. Stefan gave up three hits and a walk while striking out one to pick up the win.
Clearwater used a four-run fifth to take the lead, which featured a pair of RBI singles by center fielder Justin Parr and second baseman KC Serna. Left fielder Peter Lavin would cap off the inning with a two-out, two run triple.
Catcher Jesus Posso added a solo home run in the sixth, his first of the season. It was Posso's first start for the Threshers.
After righty Lee Ridenhour was tagged for two runs in the top of the eighth, First baseman Art Charles and right fielder Nick Ferdinand had back-to-back doubles in the bottom of the frame.
The Threshers are now 4-15 and face a four-game series with the Dunedin Blue Jays. Southpaw Ethan Stewart (0-1, 1.14 ERA) is slated to take the hill for Clearwater in the opener on Thursday.
Lakewood BlueClaws – Class A
The BlueClaws were routed by the Charleston RiverDogs, 9-3, at FirstEnergy Park in Lakewood Township, N.J.
Right-handed starter Alejandro Arteaga (1-3, 9,18 ERA) was rocked for eight runs on 10 hits and a two walks over 3 2/3 innings to take the loss. He also served up two home runs.
The BlueClaws offense couldn't get the BlueClaws back in the game, but did get strong performances from shortstop J.P. Crawford (1-for-2 with a run scored and three walks) and center fielder Carlos Tocci (2-for-3 with an RBI and a strikeout) at the top of the lineup.
Second baseman Andrew Pullin blasted his first homer of the season in the loss.
The BlueClaws fell to 5-13. Lakewood will host the Savannah Sand Gnats for a five-game, four-day series that begins Thursday. A starting pitcher has not been announced yet.