Phillies Minor League Report: Jim Murphy homers in Reading's win

Here's how the Phillies' minor-league teams fared on Tuesday, July 16:

Lehigh Valley IronPigs – Triple A

The IronPigs (50-48) are on the All-Star break.

Third baseman Cody Asche and second baseman Cesar Hernandez were scheduled to represent Lehigh Valley in the All-Star Game on Wednesday, however, Hernandez was sent down to Double A Reading on Tuesday to play center field during the break.

The regular-season schedule continues on Thursday with the first game of a four-game series between the IronPigs and the Columbus Clippers at Coca-Cola Park.

Reading Fightin Phils – Double A

The Fightin Phils beat the Trenton Thunder, 6-3, at FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading, Pa.

Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez continued his rehab with the Thunder in the game. He finished 0-for-3 with an RBI on a sacrifice fly.

The Fightin Phils took an early lead in the first inning. Right fielder Derrick Mitchell singled to lead off the frame. Center fielder Cesar Hernandez laid down a sacrifice bunt, but reached on a throwing error. The bases were loaded with no outs after third baseman Maikel Franco drew a walk for first baseman Jim Murphy, who lifted a fly ball to center field for a 1-0 lead. Reading was unable to tack on any more runs.

Left-handed starter Mario Hollands promptly surrendered the lead with a two-run second inning. Hollands was able to settle in and allowed two runs on nine hits and two walks over six innings.

The offense let Hollands off the hook by evening the score in the sixth inning on Murphy's 16th home run of the season, a solo shot.

The Fightin Phils broke the game open in the seventh as they batted around. Hernandez and Franco delivered back-to-back, one-out RBI singles. Hernandez and Franco scored when a ground ball by designated hitter Kelly Dugan couldn't be handled by the Trenton first baseman to make the score 6-2.

The Thunder scored a run and got the tying run to the plate in the ninth, but righty Juan Sosa nailed down the win by getting the final out.

Hernandez (2-for-3 with an RBI and run scored) and shortstop Edgar Duran (2-for-3 with a run scored, a walk and a strikeout) had multi-hit games.

Murphy finished the game 1-for-1 with a home run, two walks, two RBI and a run scored to raise his average to .291 on the season. He is sixth in the Eastern League in RBI (58) and tied for second in home runs (16).

The Fightin Phils are now 39-55. The teams will conclude the series on Wednesday after splitting the first two games. Southpaw Jesse Biddle (3-9, 3.33 ERA) will take the ball for Reading.

Clearwater Threshers – Class A-Advanced

The Threshers (46-44) were idle on Tuesday.

Clearwater will travel to begin a a four-game series with the Bradenton Marauders on Wednesday. A starting pitcher has not been announced.

In the second half standings, the Threshers are 11-11, 3 1/2 games behind the first-place Daytona Cubs in the Florida State League North Division.

Lakewood BlueClaws – Class A

The BlueClaws (37-55) were off on Tuesday.

Lakewood begin a three-game series with the Augusta GreenJackets on the road Wednesday. Righty Jeb Stefan (3-4, 3.78 ERA) will take the ball for the BlueClaws.

The BlueClaws are 11-14 in the second half, which is good for fifth place and 4 1/2 games behind the Hickory Crawdads in the South Atlantic League Northern Division.

Williamsport Crosscutters - Class A-Short Season

The Crosscutters (15-12) also had an off day Tuesday.

Williamsport begins a six-game homestead with a three-game set with the Hudson Valley Renegades on Wednesday. Right-hander Shane Martin (1-1, 4.37 ERA) is slated to take the mound for the Crosscutters.

The Crosscutters are in second place of the New York-Penn League Pinckney Division, 1 1/2 games behind the Jamestown Jammers.

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