Phillies Minor League Report: Cody Asche hits another big night for Lehigh Valley

Here's how the Phillies' minor league teams fared on Wednesday, June 18:

Lehigh Valley IronPigs – Triple A

A late-inning home run from Cody Asche completed another Lehigh Valley comeback, and lifted the IronPigs to an 8-6 win over the Charlotte Knights Wednesday at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown.

The IronPigs trailed the Knights 5-1 heading into the bottom of the fourth inning. Lehigh Valley erased that deficit by plating five unanswered runs over the course of three innings to take a 6-5 lead heading into the seventh.

The Knights tied the game by plating a run during the frame, but Asche gave the IronPigs the lead for good with a two-run homer in the bottom of the inning.

The homer was just the latest example of Asche's production during his rehab assignment. In five games between Lakewood and Lehigh Valley, Asche has hit three homers, batted .615, recorded nine RBI and has recorded 19 total bases. Asche finished Wednesday's game 2-for-3.

After Asche gave the IronPigs the lead, Cesar Jimenez and Luis Garcia pitched the final two innings to secure the win. Garcia earned his 11th save of the season in the process.

The IronPigs boasted three members of the lineup that recorded multiple hits. Joining Asche was designated hitter Steve Susdorf and catcher Cameron Rupp, who both went 2-for-4. Rupp also joined Asche in driving home two runs.

Lehigh Valley starter Brad Lincoln posted a shaky outing Wednesday, allowing five runs on six hits during four innings on the mound. Tyler Knigge earned his first victory in relief of Lincoln, as he tossed three innings where he gave up a run and two hits.

The IronPigs will try to take three of four from the Knights at 7:05 p.m. Thursday. Chris Bootcheck (2-3, 4.50 ERA) is scheduled to start for Lehigh Valley.

Reading Fightin Phils – Double A

Despite a solid showing from pitcher Jesse Biddle, the Fightin Phils fell to the Akron RubberDucks Wednesday, 4-3, at FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading.

Biddle tossed seven innings where he allowed only three runs on four hits and struck out five batters, but he also coughed up two solo homers to Akron. Although they recorded 11 hits, the Fightin Phils were unable to plate a run until the fifth inning thanks to a solo homer from center fielder Zach Collier.

As a team, Reading went 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position and left eight runners on base. Reading's lack of production on offense meant another loss for Biddle, who now sits at 3-8 on the season.

Collier and shortstop Edgar Duran each went 2-for-4 Wednesday. Right fielder Peter Lavin wasn't far behind, as he went 2-for-5 with an RBI. Second baseman Albert Cartwright only went only 1-for-5, but extended his 10-game hitting streak with a ninth-inning single.

The Fightin Phils will try to avoid being swept by the RubberDucks at 7:05 p.m. Thursday. Severino Gonzalez (4-7, 5.07 ERA) will get the start.

Clearwater Threshers – Class A-Advanced

The Threshers were scheduled to wrap up their series with the Lakeland Flying Tigers Wednesday, but the game was canceled due to rain at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Fla.

The Threshers are scheduled to stay on the road Thursday when they face the Dunedin Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Stadium in Dunedin, Fla. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Miguel Nunez (2-4, 6.02 ERA) is in line to start.

Lakewood BlueClaws – Class A

The BlueClaws enjoyed the last day of their All-Star break Wednesday, but will be back on the field at 7:05 p.m. Thursday when they host the West Virginia Power at FirstEnergy Park in Lakewood Township, N.J.

Williamsport Crosscutters – Class A-Short Season

Second baseman Drew Stankiewicz laid down a bunt that forced a fielder's choice and allowed right fielder Cord Sandberg to cross the plate for the game-winning run in the 11th inning of 5-4 victory over the Jamestown Jammers Wednesday at Susquehanna Bank Park at Bowman Field in Williamsport.

The victory was Williamsport's second in a row and its third in its last four outings. Stankiewicz finished the game with an RBI despite going 0-for-4.

Overall, the Crosscutters posted a productive game from the plate, as they recorded 10 hits. Four of those 10 came from left fielder Jiandido Tromp. Tromp went 4-for-5, which allowed him to cross the plate on two occasions. First baseman Rhys Hoskins went 1-for-5 Wednesday with two RBI.

Despite the production from the plate, the Crosscutters went 2-for-16 with runners in scoring position and left 12 runners on base.

The Crosscutters used five pitchers from their staff to hold the Jammers to a mere four runs. All four of the runs were charged to starter Alejandro Arteaga, who also allowed five hits in five innings.

Keivi Rojas pitched the final inning and earned his first victory in the process.

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