Phillies Minor League Report: Cam Perkins' three RBI helps Reading to victory
Here’s a rundown on how the Phillies’ minor league teams fared on Wednesday, May 21.
Here's a rundown on how the Phillies' minor league teams fared on Wednesday, May 21:
Lehigh Valley IronPigs – Triple A
The IronPigs (24-21) were idle on Wednesday. They are currently tied for second place in the International League North, a half game back of the Buffalo Bisons.
Lehigh Valley will host the Toledo Mud Hens for a four-game series beginning on Thursday. A starting pitcher has not been announced yet for the opener.
Reading Fightin Phils – Double A
The Fightin Phils edged the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, 7-6, to extend their winning streak to six games at FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading, Pa.
Reading faced deficits of 1-0 and 5-1, but put together a five-run fifth to earn the win.
Right-handed starter Mike Nesseth (1-3, 8.03 ERA) was the beneficiary of the well-timed surge and took the win. He gave up five runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out four in five innings of work. Nesseth also plunked two batters and served up a homer.
Right fielder Cam Perkins knocked in three runs for the Fightin Phils, but didn't record a hit in four at bats. Perkins went 0-for-4 with a walk and three RBI groundouts.
Center fielder Aaron Altherr crushed a two-run home run, his third of the season, for his only hit in four plate appearances.
Righty Tyler Knigge pitched two scoreless inning to record his third save.
The Fightin Phils improved to 25-18 on the season. Reading will look to sweep the five-game series on Thursday when righty Severino Gonzalez (4-3, 5.22 ERA) is called upon in the finale.
Clearwater Threshers – Class A-Advanced
The Threshers extended a losing streak to five game with a 5-2 defeat at the hands of the St. Lucie Mets at Tradition Field in Port St. Lucie, Fla.
Clearwater took an early lead in the second inning when designated hitter Andrew Knapp, catcher Gabriel Lino and shortstop Angelo Mora drew back-to-back-to-back walks to load the bases. A wild pitch would send Knapp home for a 1-0 lead.
Left-handed starter Ethan Stewart (2-4, 4.58 ERA) couldn't hold the lead for long and was stuck with the loss. He allowed four runs on four hits and seven walks in four-plus innings.
Center fielder Peter Lavin and first baseman Art Charles did their best to spark a comeback. In the sixth, Lavin doubled and scored on Charles' RBI single to cut the lead in 4-2.
Lavin (2-for-4) and Charles (2-for-3 with a walk) accounted for four of the offense's five hits in the loss.
The Threshers fell to 9-34 on the season. Righty Colin Kleven (1-5, 4.85 ERA) is slated to start for Clearwater when the series continues Thursday.
Lakewood BlueClaws – Class A
The BlueClaws (17-26), sitting in sixth place in the South Atlantic League North, had an off day on Wednesday. The team is 14 1/2 games back of the Hagerstown Suns.
Lakewood will begin a seven-game road trip with a four-game set with the West Virginia Power on Thursday. Righty Mark Leiter (4-3, 4.15 ERA) takes the bump in the opener.