Phillies Minor League Report: Jesse Biddle surrenders 10 runs; Aaron Nola loses professional debut
Here's how the Phillies' minor league teams fared on Monday, June 23.
Here's how the Phillies' minor league teams fared on Monday, June 23:
Lehigh Valley IronPigs – Triple A
The IronPigs blew a late 4-2 lead and lost to the Columbus Clippers, 7-4, at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, Pa.
Right-handed starter Brad Lincoln pitched seven strong innings to put Lehigh Valley in a position to win. Lincoln gave up two runs on two hits and three walks over seven innings, but he settled for a no-decision due to a bullpen implosion.
The bottom of the lineup powered the IronPigs offense as first baseman Jim Murphy and second baseman Nate Spears had three-hit games. Murphy hit a solo home run, his ninth of the season, to go along with a double and two runs scored.
Center fielder Leandro Castro went 1-for-4 with two RBI and a strikeout from the leadoff spot.
Righty Ethan Martin came in to relieve Lincoln in the eighth, but gave away the game. Martin was charged with five runs on four hits and two walks in just 2/3 innings.
The IronPigs (38-40) now face a three-game, two-day series on the road with the Syracuse Chiefs. The teams will play a doubleheader on Tuesday.
Reading Fightin Phils – Double A
The Fightin Phils were on the losing end of a 12-8 slugfest with the Binghamton Mets at NYSEG Stadium in Binghamton, N.Y.
Reading has now lost seven games in a row.
Left-handed starter Jesse Biddle (3-9, 5.03 ERA) was torched for 10 runs on eight hits, including two home runs, and three walks in just three innings of work. He threw 74 pitches, 43 for strikes. Biddle also committed a throwing error on a pickoff attempt.
Right fielder Peter Lavin finished a single shy of the cycle in the loss. He went 3-for-5 with two runs scored, three RBI and a strikeout. It was the second straight game that Lavin homered in.
Other bright spots at the plate included the three- and four-hole hitters: center fielder Aaron Altherr (2-for-5 with a double, two runs scored and three strikeouts) and first baseman Jake Fox (3-for-5 with a home run, two runs scored, two RBI and a strikeout).
The Fightin Phils (33-40) will look to snap their skid when the series continues Tuesday as righty Severino Gonzalez (4-8, 5.07 ERA) takes his turn in the rotation.
Clearwater Threshers – Class A-Advanced
Phillies 2014 first-round pick Aaron Nola made his professional debut in the Threshers' 5-2 loss to the Lakeland Flying Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Fla.
The righty threw two scoreless innings before running into trouble in the third. Nola allowed five runs (four earned) on three hits and three walks while striking out three in 2 1/3 innings. He also served up a home run ball.
Right fielder Brian Pointer (2-for-3 with a run scored and a strikeout) and second baseman Angelo Mora (2-for-4 with a solo home run) combined for four of the Threshers' seven hits.
Righty Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez (5.11 ERA) gave Clearwater two innings of scoreless relief in the loss.
The Threshers (3-2 in second half, 20-53 overall) now return home to host the Tampa Yankees for a three-game set. Righty Miguel Nunez (2-4, 5.87 ERA) is slated to start the opener on Tuesday.
Lakewood BlueClaws – Class A
The BlueClaws were routed by the Greensboro Grasshoppers, 14-2, at NewBridge Bank Park in Greensboro, N.C.
The offense was able to spray 13 hits, but couldn't string any together in the loss.
Second baseman Andrew Pullin (3-for-5 with a strikeout), catcher Andrew Knapp (2-for-4 with a strikeout) and left fielder Larry Greene (3-for-4 with a double and a run scored) combined for eight hits.
Right-handed starter Tyler Viza (2-10, 5.40 ERA) suffered the loss to become the first pitcher in the South Atlantic League to reach double digits in the category. Viza was tagged for eight runs (seven earned) on nine hits and a walk in 3 1/3 innings.
The teams will go at it again when the series continues Tuesday as the BlueClaws (1-4 in second half, 28-46 overall) will send righty Mark Leiter (5-6, 3.81 ERA) to the hill.
Williamsport Crosscutters – Class A-Short Season
The Crosscutters used 15 hits to beat the Jamestown Jammers, 8-5, at Russell E. Diethrick Jr. Park in Jamestown, N.Y.
Left fielder Jiandido Tromp (3-for-5 with a run scored and a strikeout) and third baseman Jan Hernandez (3-for-4 with a double, a walk, two runs scored and a strikeout) powered the offense in the win.
Right-handed starter Alejandro Arteaga (1-1, 3.78 ERA) was the beneficiary of the offense and took the victory. He allowed two runs on eight hits and a walk in 6 2/3 innings of work.
The Crosscutters (5-6) return home to for a two-game series with the Auburn Doubledays. Righty Preston Packrall (0-0, 9.00 ERA) takes the ball in the opener on Tuesday.