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Phillies Minor League Report: IronPigs blow eight-run lead in loss

Here’s a rundown on how the Phillies’ minor league teams fared on Monday, May 5:

Here's a rundown on how the Phillies' minor league teams fared on Monday, May 5:

Lehigh Valley IronPigs – Triple A

The IronPigs blew an 8-0 lead and lost to the Charlotte Knights, 9-8, at BB&T Ballpark in Charlotte, N.C.

Lehigh Valley used a seven-run first to open the game with a huge lead. Left fielder Tyler Henson opened the scoring with a solo home run with one out. First baseman Jim Murphy was credited with an RBI when he was plunked with the bases loaded, as was designated hitter Steve Susdorf, who followed with a single. Right fielder Leandro Castro cleared the bases with a three-run double and scored on shortstop Ronny Cedeno's RBI single for the 7-0 lead.

In the fifth, Henson added a sacrifice fly to push the lead to 8-0.

That's when things started to unravel for right-handed starter Barry Enright, who was charged with four runs on seven hits, including three long balls, over 6 2/3 innings.

Relievers Jeremy Horst and Phillippe Aumont didn't fare any better. Horst allowed two runs on three hits in just 2/3 innings. Aumont didn't record an out when he pitched to three batters in the eighth. All three came around to score on a hit and two walks. Aumont (0-1, 4.63 ERA) took the loss.

Four IronPigs starters had multi-hit games: third baseman Maikel Franco (2-for-5 with a run scored and a strikeout), second baseman Reid Brignac (2-for-4 with a walk and a run scored), Castro (3-for-4 with a double, two runs scored, three RBI and a walk) and Cedeno (2-for-5 with a strikeout).

The IronPigs went back to .500 at 15-15 on the season. Lehigh Valley will send righty Sean O'Sullivan (1-2, 4.50 ERA) to the mound as the series continues on Tuesday.

Reading Fightin Phils – Double A

The Fightin Phils were routed by the Portland Sea Dogs, 8-1, at FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading, Pa.

Righty Mike Nesseth (0-2, 10.80 ERA) was jumped on immediately by Portland and suffered the loss. He surrendered five runs on four hits and three walks in two innings.

Reading's only run was scored in the third. Third baseman Cesar Hernandez hit a triple to lead off the frame and scored on an RBI groundout by left fielder Cam Perkins.

Hernandez finished 3-for-4 with a walk to raise his average to .341.

The Fighin Phils fell to 14-13. Righty Severino Gonzalez (3-1, 3.67 ERA) is slated to start for Reading when the series continues Tuesday.

Clearwater Threshers – Class A-Advanced

The Threshers snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 5-3 win over the Brevard County Manatees at Space Coast Stadium in Viera, Fla.

Clearwater quickly took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first. Second baseman KC Serna reached on an infield single and center fielder Peter Lavin was hit by a pitch to set up third baseman Harold Martinez's two-run double.

Left-handed starter Ethan Stewart (2-2, 3.23 ERA) would relinquish the lead, but the offense would recover in time to give Stewart the win. He gave up three runs (two earned) on five hits and six walks while striking out three over five innings.

Tied at two apiece in the fifth, Lavin and Martinez were in the middle of another two-run inning for the Threshers. With one out, Lavin doubled and scored on Martinez's single to take the lead. Martinez stole second and scored two batters later on designated hitter Gabriel Lino's RBI single.

The Threshers would add an insurance run in the sixth when right fielder Nick Ferdinand hit a lead-off triple and scored on left fielder Anthony Phillips' RBI single.

Righties Jordan Guth (three innings) and Colton Murray (one inning) combined for four scoreless out of the bullpen to close out the win.

The Threshers improved to 6-22 on the season. The rubber match is set for Tuesday as Clearwater hands the ball to righty Colin Kleven (0-3, 7.58 ERA).

Lakewood BlueClaws – Class A

The BlueClaws fell to the Asheville Tourists, 5-1, at McCormick Field in Asheville, N.C.

Right-handed starter Mark Leiter (3-3, 3.89 ERA) took the loss for Lakewood. He allowed three runs on three hits and a walk while striking out four in 4 2/3 innings.

A day after scoring 14 runs on 22 hits, the BlueClaws only managed a run on five hits in the game.

The BlueClaws' run came in the fourth when right fielder Dylan Cozens hit a one-out single and first baseman Willians Astudillo followed with an RBI double.

Third baseman Mitch Walding (1-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout) was the only Lakewood starter to reach base more than once.

The loss dropped the BlueClaws to 12-18. Lakewood has an off day on Tuesday.

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