Phillies Minor League Report: Cesar Hernandez's big game lifts IronPigs

Here's how the Phillies' minor-league teams fared on Tuesday, July 9:

Lehigh Valley IronPigs – Triple A

The IronPigs beat the Pawtucket Red Sox, 6-1, at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, Pa.

Right-handed starter Tyler Cloyd (2-8, 6.89 ERA) silenced Pawtucket in his seven-inning effort. He allowed only four hits and struck out four to take the win.

The game was scoreless in the fifth. but some familiar names to Phillies fans put the IronPigs on the scoreboard. Center fielder Michael Martinez and second baseman Cesar Hernandez led off the inning with back-to-back singles. Shortstop Freddy Galvis laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners. A ground ball from third baseman Cody Asche scored Martinez and designated hitter Erik Kratz's two-out double scored Hernandez for a 2-0 lead.

An inning later, Hernandez extended the lead with a two-run triple and scored on Galvis' sacrifice fly to make the score 5-0.

Hernandez (3-for-5 with a double, a triple, two RBI and three runs scored), Galvis (3-for-3 with a double and an RBI), Kratz (2-for-4 with a double and RBI) and Martinez (3-for-4 with two runs scored) fueled the offense with multi-hit games.

In the ninth inning, left-hander Jeremy Horst allowed a run on a hit and uncorked a wild pitch in his rehab stint. He struck out one.

The IronPigs improved to 49-45. Right-hander Ethan Martin (9-4, 4.81 ERA) takes the ball as Lehigh Valley looks to complete a four-game sweep Wednesday.

Reading Fightin Phils – Double A

The Fightin Phils enjoyed the first day of a two-day break for the All-Star Game, which will take place Wednesday.

Reading (38-51) will begin a four-game series with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats when the season resumes on Thursday.

Clearwater Threshers – Class A-Advanced

The Threshers were routed by the Brevard County Manatees, 10-2, in the opening game of a three-game series at Space Coast Stadium in Viera, Fla.

Left-handed starter Ethan Stewart (0-3, 7.00 ERA) got the run parade going early. He allowed three runs on five hits and three walks over three innings to take the loss.

First baseman Brock Stassi delivered a two-out, RBI triple in the second and right fielder Cameron Perkins had an RBI single in the sixth for the Threshers.

Second baseman Carlos Alonso went 2-for-4 with a double and run scored in the game.

The lone bright spot on the Clearwater pitching staff righty Daniel Carela, who pitched three hitless innings in relief. He walked one as he allowed Clearwater to crawl within one run.

Right-handed relievers Ken Giles (four runs allowed in 2/3 of an inning) and Ryan O'Sullivan (three runs allowed in 1 1/3 innings) killed any hope of a comeback.

The Threshers fell to 44-41. Southpaw Mario Hollands (4-1, 1.59 ERA) is slated to take the mound as the series continues Wednesday.

Lakewood BlueClaws – Class A

The BlueClaws defeated the Rome Braves, 5-3, in the opening game of a three-game series at FirstEnergy Park in Lakewood Township, N.J.

Lakewood scored in each of the first four innings to lead the entire game, but didn't record a hit after the fourth.

In the first, right fielder Brian Pointer hit a leadoff triple and scored on shortstop Angelo Mora's single. After stealing second and moving to third on designated hitter Willie Carmona's groundout, Mora scored on first baseman Art Charles' sacrifice fly for an early 2-0 lead.

Lakewood was gifted a run in the second inning. Second baseman Jonathan Roof singled to lead off the frame, moved to second on a passed ball and took third on a wild pitch. Center fielder Carlos Tocci picked up an easy RBI with a groundout.

Leading 3-1 in the third, Roof singled again to score Carmona, who led off the inning with a double.

It was 4-2 in the fourth when catcher Chace Numata and Mora doubled to make the score 5-2. Lakewood put the bats away after the inning.

The five runs were enough as right-handed starter Miguel Nunez (6-7, 4.68 ERA) allowed two runs on five hits and two walks over five innings for the win. The bullpen nailed down the win for Nunez.

The win lifted the BlueClaws to 33-53. Right-handed Nic Hanson (1-1, 3.56 ERA) will take the ball for Lakewood when the series continues Wednesday.

Williamsport Crosscutters - Class A-Short Season

The Crosscutters beat the Auburn Doubledays, 3-1, to earn a series win at Bowman Field in Williamsport, Pa.

Right-handed starter Julio Reyes (1-0, 5.28 ERA) allowed a run in the second inning, but he wouldn't surrender any more in two-hit, one-walk effort over five innings for the win.

Williamsport didn't trail for long as left fielder Samuel Hiciano led off the third inning with a home run. Shortstop Malquin Canelo followed with a single and scored two batters later on second baseman Andrew Pullin's RBI single for a 2-1 lead.

Hiciano would provide insurance in the eighth when he was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

Hiciano was the only hitter with a multi-hit game, finishng 2-for-3 with two RBI.

The Crosscutters are now 13-8 on the season. Williamsport will travel to begin a three-game series with the Connecticut Tigers on Wednesday. Right-hander Shane Martin (1-1, 4.00 ERA) will take the hill for Williamsport.

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