Phillies Minor League Report: Justin De Fratus notches third save in IronPigs' win
Here’s a rundown on how the Phillies’ minor league teams fared on Wednesday, May 14.
Here's a rundown on how the Phillies' minor league teams fared on Wednesday, May 14:
Lehigh Valley IronPigs – Triple A
The IronPigs edged the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, 3-2, at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, Pa.
Left-handed starter Greg Smith (4-0, 3.12 ERA) struggled early on, but had a solid outing. He gave up two runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out three over 6 2/3 innings for the win.
Trailing 2-0 in the third, the IronPigs pushed two runs across the plate to even the score. Right fielder Steve Susdorf singled and left fielder Leandro Castro reached on an error to leadoff to set up the frame. Shortstop Ronny Cedeno and center fielder Tyson Gillies hit back-to-back-RBI singles to make it a new game.
The IronPigs scored again in the fourth what would turn out to be the game-winning run. Catcher Koyie Hill led off the inning with a double and scored on a sacrifice fly by Susdorf.
Righty Justin De Fratus (2.08 ERA) allowed two hits, but notched his third save in a scoreless ninth. He struck out one.
The IronPigs improved to 21-18 on the season with the help of a four-game winning streak. Lehigh Valley will go for a series sweep in the finale on Thursday. Righty Barry Enright (0-2, 4.71 ERA) is slated to start.
Reading Fightin Phils – Double A
The Fightin Phils outlasted the New Hampshire Fishers Cats, 5-4, in 10 innings to a three-game sweep at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium in Manchester, N.H.
Fans were treated to a pitcher's duel through the first six and a half innings as only one unearned run was scored, but eight runs were scored in the last three and a half innings for a wild finish.
Left-handed starter Jesse Biddle (3-4, 3.20 ERA) allowed an unearned run on two hits and four walks while striking out seven over six innings of work.
A pair of home runs provided the offense for Reading in regulation. Third baseman Carlos Alonso hit a two-run blast in the eighth and right fielder Anthony Hewitt hit a solo jack in the ninth.
Righty Hector Neris allowed two runs on back-to-back home runs in the bottom of the ninth and blew hits first save of the season to send the game to extra innings.
The Fightin Phils didn't waste any time and manufactured a run on a leadoff walk in the 10th that served as the game-winning run. Left fielder Cam Perkins recorded an RBI double with two outs.
The win lifted the Fightin Phils to 19-17 on the season. Reading has an off day on Thursday before an eight-game home stand.
Clearwater Threshers – Class A-Advanced
The Threshers fell to the Jupiter Hammerheads, 5-1, to extend a losing streak to four games at Bright House Field in Clearwater, Fla.
The offense could only muster five hits in the loss, three off the bat of left fielder Nick Ferdinand (3-for-3 with a solo home run).
Right-handed starter Jon Prosinski (0-4, 5.49 ERA) gave up three runs on eight hits, including a home run, in 7 1/3 innings and suffered the loss.
The loss dropped the Threshers to 8-28. Clearwater will look to avoid a sweep in the finale Thursday when righty Luis Paulino (0-0, 3.38 ERA) takes the bump.
Lakewood BlueClaws – Class A
The BlueClaws were doubled up by the Hagerstown Suns, 4-2, at Municipal Stadium in Hagerstown, Md.
Right-handed starter Tyler Viza (2-3, 3.73 ERA) was charged with four runs (three earned) on eight hits and a walk while striking out three over seven innings to take the loss.
The lone bright spot for the BlueClaws on offense was right fielder Dylan Cozens, who went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run and a double.
The BlueClaws fell to 13-24 on the season. The series continues on Thursday as Lakewood hands the ball to righty Alejandro Arteaga (3-4, 7.29 ERA).