Phillies Minor League Report: Three homers fuel IronPigs to victory
Here's how the Phillies' minor league teams fared on Monday, June 30.
Here's how the Phillies' minor league teams fared on Monday, June 30:
Lehigh Valley IronPigs – Triple A
The IronPigs snapped a three-game skid with a 9-7 victory over the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders at PNC Field in Moosic, Pa.
The offense used 14 hits on the way to the win, led by right fielder Steve Susdorf, who went 3-for-5 with a double, two runs scored, two RBI and a stolen base.
Three IronPigs homered to support the cause: Center fielder Leandro Castro (3-for-5 with a double and three runs scored), designated hitter Russ Canzier (2-for-5 with two runs scored, three RBI and two strikeouts) and first baseman Jim Murphy (2-for-4 with a walk, two RBI and a strikeout).
Murphy became the first player to reach double digits in home runs with his 10th blast for the IronPigs.
Right-handed starter Brad Lincoln allowed three runs on five hits, three walks and a hit batsman over five innings, but settled for a no-decision.
Righty Luis Garcia (0.36 ERA) walked one in a scoreless frame to notch his 14th save of the season.
The IronPigs (40-44) will look for a series split on Tuesday as southpaw Greg Smith (6-5, 4.03 ERA) takes the bump.
Reading Fightin Phils – Double A
The Fightin Phils ended a 12-game losing streak by beating the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, 7-6, at FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading, Pa.
Trailing 6-1 in the sixth inning, the Fightin Phils pushed across five runs to tie the game.
The rally saved another blemish on right-handed starter Severino Gonzalez's record. He gave up five runs (three earned) on eight hits and a walk in just five innings.
Left fielder Peter Lavin (2-for-3 with a walk, two runs scored and a stolen base), right fielder Kelly Dugan (2-for-4 with a double, a run scored and two RBI) and first baseman Brock Stassi (2-for-3 with a triple, a run scored, two RBI and a hit by pitch) powered the offense.
The Fightin Phils (34-45) will hand the ball to lefty Hoby Milner (5-3, 3.81 ERA) when the series continues Tuesday.
Clearwater Threshers – Class A-Advanced
The Threshers (4-7 in second half, 21-58 overall) were idle on Monday.
The team is currently in fourth place in the Florida State League North, five games behind the Brevard County Manatees in the second half.
Clearwater will face the Dunedin Blue Jays for a four-game series in which the teams will alternate home games. Righty Aaron Nola (0-1, 15.43 ERA) will make his second professional start in the opener at Bright House Field on Tuesday.
Lakewood BlueClaws – Class A
The BlueClaws outlasted the West Virginia Power, 8-7, in 15 innings at Appalachian Power Park in Charleston, W. Va.
Right-handed starter Jon Prosinski put his team in a early 7-0 hole in the game. He surrendered those seven hits on nine hits and a hit batsman in just 2 2/3 innings.
The bullpen kept the BlueClaws in the game as four relievers combined for 12 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing just six hits, a walk and two hit batters while striking out 13.
Designated hitter Andrew Knapp (3-for-8 with a home run, two runs scored, two RBI and two strikeouts), first baseman Zach Green (4-for-8 with a home run, a run scored, two RBI and a strikeout) and third baseman Mitch Walding (2-for-6 with a run scored, two RBI, a walk and a strikeout) knocked in multiple runs in the win.
The BlueClaws (3-9 in second half, 30-51 overall) earned a series split with the win and will now host the Hagerstown Suns for a three-game series. Righty Yacksel Rios (1-0, 3.51 ERA) will get the call in the opener on Tuesday.
Williamsport Crosscutters – Class A-Short Season
The Crosscutters (7-9) were off on Monday.
Tied for fourth place in the New York-Penn League Pinckney Division, Williamsport is 3 1/2 games back off the pace set by the Batavia Muckdogs and the State College Spikes.
The Crosscutters will travel for a three-game set against the Jamestown Jammers. Righty Preston Packrall (0-0, 7.71 ERA) is slated to start the opener on Tuesday.