Phillies Minor League Report: Aaron Nola earns first professional victory
Here's how the Phillies' minor league teams fared on Monday, July 7.
Here's how the Phillies' minor league teams fared on Monday, July 7:
Lehigh Valley IronPigs – Triple A
For the second straight game, the IronPigs were shut out by the Indianapolis Indians, 1-0, at Victory Field in Indianapolis, Ind.
The offense was held to five hits, but third baseman Maikel Franco continued his recent surge at the plate. Franco went 2-for-3 with a double and a strikeout. In his last six games, he is batting 11-for-24 with a home run, a triple, three doubles.
Left-handed starter Greg Smith (7-6, 3.81 ERA) had a strong outing, but was stuck with the loss. Smith allowed one run on five hits over seven innings. He struck out three, while walking no one.
Reliever Luis Garcia, Lehigh Valley's lone all-star, walked two in a scoreless inning.
The IronPigs (43-47) will look for their first run of the series as the teams play another on Tuesday. A starting pitcher has not been announced yet.
Reading Fightin Phils – Double A
The Fightin Phils were run over by the Trenton Thunder, 10-3, at FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading, Pa.
The loss was the Fightin Phils' 18th in their last 20 games.
Left-handed starter Hoby Milner (5-5, 4.55 ERA) was knocked around and suffered the loss. He was charged with seven runs on five hits and three walks in five-plus innings.
The Fightin Phils got two home runs from third baseman Carlos Alonso and center fielder Zach Collier, but couldn't get anything else going offensively.
Alonso finished the game 1-for-2 with his eighth homer of the season, two runs scored and two walks.
The Fightin Phils (35-51) will turn to righty Ryan O'Sullivan (2-5, 3.78 ERA) when the series continues Tuesday.
Clearwater Threshers – Class A-Advanced
The Threshers won both games of a doubleheader against the Brevard County Manatees at Space Coast Stadium in Melbourne, Fla.
Sunday's game that was halted due to rain resumed in the third inning and righty Aaron Nola (1-1, 3.18 ERA) picked up his first professional victory as the Threshers won, 3-0.
Nola allowed only one baserunner on a single in five shutout innings. He struck out two and did not walk a batter.
Shortstop J.P. Crawford's two-run home run on Sunday proved to be the game-winner.
In the second game, the Threshers earned a 7-3 win.
Right-handed starter Mark Leiter picked up his first victory with the team, surrendering three runs on seven hits, a walk and a hit batsman over six innings.
The offense was carried by center fielder Roman Quinn (2-for-3 with a triple, two runs scored and a strikeout) and left fielder Everett Williams (3-for-4 with a double, three RBI and a caught stealing).
Five players, three Manatees and two Threshers (Corey Bass and Brian Pointer), were ejected when Crawford was brushed back by a pitch in the seventh inning.
The Threshers (7-10 in second half, 24-61 overall) will face the Tampa Yankees for a three-game set. The teams will alternate home games. Righty Miguel Nunez (2-6, 6.22 ERA) gets the ball at Bright House Field on Tuesday.
Lakewood BlueClaws – Class A
The BlueClaws were doubled up by the Hagerstown Suns, 8-4, at Municipal Stadium in Hagerstown, Md.
Right-handed starter Ranfi Casimiro (2-8, 5.47 ERA) was torched for six runs on 10 hits and three walks in three-plus innings.
The offense pounded out 12 hits in a losing effort, led by designated hitter Dylan Cozens (3-for-5 with a strikeout) and left fielder Larry Greene (3-for-5 with a triple, an RBI and a caught stealing).
The BlueClaws (6-13 in second half, 33-55 overall) will send righty Tyler Viza (3-11, 5.10 ERA) to the bump as the series continues Tuesday.
Williamsport Crosscutters – Class A-Short Season
The Crosscutters cruised to an 8-1 win over the Mahoning Valley Scrappers at Eastwood Field Niles, Ohio.
Three Crosscutters had multi-hit games as the offense erupted for 15 hits in the win.
Third baseman Derek Campbell (4-for-5 with two doubles, a run scored, an RBI and a strikeout), first baseman Rhys Hoskins (4-for-5 with two doubles, three runs scored, an RBI and a strikeout) and second baseman Drew Stankiewicz (3-for-3 with a run scored and three RBI) had 11 of those hits.
Left-handed starter Matt Imhof couldn't capitalize on the runs because he didn't complete five innings. He allowed two hits, a walk and a hit batsman while striking out five in four innings.
The Crosscutters (13-11) will look for a series sweep. Righty Felberto Sanchez (0-4, 9.00 ERA) is slated to start the finale on Tuesday.