Phillies Minor League Report: Cody Overbeck sparks IronPigs' win
Here's how the Phillies' minor-league teams fared on Monday, July 8.
Here's how the Phillies' minor-league teams fared on Monday, July 8:
Lehigh Valley IronPigs – Triple A
The IronPigs took both ends of a doubleheader against the Pawtucket Red Sox at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, Pa.
In the completion of a suspended game, the IronPigs won, 6-1.
The game picked up in the top of the third with a scoreless tie and Pawtucket picked up a run immediately. But that's all the offense they could produce as lefty Greg Smith and righty Luis Garcia combined to throw seven innings of one-run, four-hit ball.
Lehigh Valley seized the lead with a four-run fifth when the first five batters notched base hits. Right fielder Tyson Gillies, designated hitter Steve Susdorf, catcher Steven Lerud (RBI) and center fielder Michael Martinez all singled with no outs. That set up left fielder Leandro Castro's bases-clearing double for a 4-1 lead.
Martinez would add insurance in the eighth inning with a two-run single.
Lehigh Valley completed the sweep with a seven-inning 5-2 win in game two.
Right-handed starter Zach Miner put his team in an early hole by giving up two runs in the first inning. Miner settled in and didn't allow any more runs. He finished with two unearned runs allowed on seven hits over 3 2/3 innings.
The IronPigs offense overcame the deficit with a four-run third. First baseman Cody Overbeck doubled home shortstop Freddy Galvis, who led of the inning with a single. Designated hitter Josh Fields followed with an RBI double to score third baseman Cody Asche, who also singled, and Overbeck. Fields would score on Castro's single to cap off the inning.
Overbeck added an RBI double in the fourth inning to score Galvis again.
The IronPigs improved to 48-45. Lehigh Valley will send right-hander Tyler Cloyd (1-8, 7.69 ERA) to the mound when the series continues Tuesday.
Reading Fightin Phils – Double A
The Fightin Phils blew a four-run lead and lost to the Trenton Thunder, 10-6, at Arm & Hammer Park in Trenton, N.J.
An error in the top of the first inning led to Reading's first lead. Second baseman Albert Cartwright reached on a fielder's choice, stole second base and advance to third on a throwing error by the catcher. First baseman Jim Murphy immediately singled Cartwright home for a 1-0 lead.
Trenton answered with a run in the bottom of the inning off right-handed starter Seth Rosin, who only went three innings in the game.
In the third inning, Reading's offense continued to click with the top of the order. Third baseman Maikel Franco's bat remained hot with a RBI double to score center fielder Derrick Mitchell, who reached with a single. Murphy added a sacrifice fly to score Cartwright for a 3-1 lead.
The Fightin Phils tacked on in the sixth inning. With one out, Murphy walked and right fielder Kelly Dugan singled. After catcher Tommy Joseph's fly out, designated hitter John Suomi drew a walk to load the bases with two outs. Left fielder Anthony Hewitt took advantage and doubled home two to extend the lead to 5-1.
Reading's bullpen cracked in the bottom of the sixth as right-hander Hector Neris surrendered five runs in 2/3 of an inning.
Trailing 6-5 in the eighth, Reading was able to even the score Joseph's RBI single to score Murphy from second base.
The bullpen finished the collapse in the bottom of the frame as righty Colby Shreve allowed four runs to secure the loss.
Mitchell (2-for-5 with a double and a run scored) had the only multi-game for Reading. Murphy (1-for-1 with two walks and a run scored) and Hewitt (1-for-4 with a double and two strikeouts) had two-RBI performances.
The Fightin Phils are now 38-51. Reading gets two days off for the All-Star Break and will open a four-game series with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats on Thursday when the season resumes.
Clearwater Threshers – Class A-Advanced
The Threshers swept both ends of a doubleheader against the Lakeland Flying Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Fla.
In the first game, Clearwater won, 5-3.
Clearwater scored twice in the second on catcher Bob Stumpo's RBI groundout and left fielder Miguel Abreu RBI single. The Threshers held the lead the entire game.
Right-hander Perci Garner (6-1, 3.70 ERA) picked up the win, allowing three runs on four hits and four walks over 5 1/3 innings.
First baseman Brock Stassi (single in the third) and center fielder Aaron Altherr (sacrifice fly in the fourth) also recorded RBI.
Right-handed closer Colton Murray struck out four in 1 2/3 innings to earn his eighth save of the season.
Clearwater also won the second game by the score of 1-0 in seven innings.
Abreu reached on an error in the third inning and scored on Altherr's second sacrifice fly of the day for the game's only run.
Right-handed starter Luis Paulino (4 1/3 innings) and righty Steven Inch (2 2/3 innings) combined for a three-hit shutout.
The Threshers improved to 44-40 on the season after the two wins. Clearwater will travel to begin a three-game series with the Brevard County Manatees on Tuesday. A starting pitcher has not been announced yet.
Lakewood BlueClaws – Class A
The BlueClaws (32-53) were idle on Monday. Lakewood will open a three-game set against the Rome Braves on Tuesday. Right-hander Miguel Nunez (5-7, 4.75 ERA) will take the bump for Lakewood.
Williamsport Crosscutters - Class A-Short Season
The Crosscutters split a doubleheader against the Auburn Doubledays at Bowman Field in Williamsport, Pa.
The Crosscutters never trailed in the first game and won, 6-1.
Right-handed starter Jon Prosinski (1-1, 3.65 ERA) pitched five scoreless innings to pick up the victory. He gave up four hits.
Right fielder Dylan Cozens hit a solo home run, his fourth of the season, in the fourth inning to give Williamsport the lead.
Second baseman Andrew Pullin extended the lead with a two-run double in the fifth inning. Pullin would later score on catcher Gabriel Lino's RBI single.
Pullin also knocked in a run in the sixth inning with a single to finish the game 3-for-4 with two doubles, three RBI and a run scored.
Williamsport dropped the second game, 5-1.
The Crosscutters did score the game's first run in the second inning. Third baseman Zach Green led off with a single and moved to second and third on passed balls. First baseman Logan Pierce singled him home.
Right-handed starter Drew Anderson (2-2, 3.42 ERA) allowed two runs on four hits and walk over five innings for the loss.
The Crosscutters are now 12-8 after the doubleheader. The series will conclude Tuesday. A starting pitcher has not been announced yet.