Phillies Minor League Report: Jesse Biddle rocked in Reading's loss

Here's how the Phillies' minor-league teams fared on Tuesday, July 23:

Lehigh Valley IronPigs – Triple A

The IronPigs pounded the Rochester Red Wings, 8-1, at Frontier Field in Rochester, N.Y.

Five hits in the third inning gave Lehigh Valley the lead and the IronPigs never looked back. Catcher Cameron Rupp started it off with a solo home run, his third of the season. Right fielder Tyson Gillies kept it going with a double and scored on shortstop Freddy Galvis' RBI single. Two batters later, designated hitter Cody Overbeck capped the inning off with an RBI single of his own.

The IronPigs doubled the lead with a three-run fifth. Galvis came up with his second RBI hit of the game with a double to score center fielder Cesar Hernandez, who singled. Then, Asche hammered a two-run blast to right.

The offense was more than enough for right-handed starter Ethan Martin (11-5, 4.35 ERA), who pitched six scoreless innings. He allowed two hits, three walks and punched out six batters.

Asche would deliver a ninth-inning jack to finish 3-for-5 with two homers, three RBI, two runs scored to raise his average to .292.

Hernandez (2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored), Galvis (2-for-5 with a double, two RBI, two runs scored and two strikeouts) and Overbeck (2-for-5 with an RBI and a strikeout) also had multi-hit games.

The IronPigs climbed back to .500 at 52-52 with the victory. Lehigh Valley will go for a series win on Wednesday by trotting out right-hander Tyler Cloyd (2-8, 6.68 ERA)to the mound.

Reading Fightin Phils – Double A

The Fightin Phils lost to the Binghamton Mets, 6-3, at NYSEB Stadium in Binghamton, N.Y.

Left-handed Jesse Biddle (4-10, 3.51 ERA) struggled mightily in his short outing, which lasted only 42 pitches to eight batters. He surrendered four runs on three hits and three walks in 2/3 of an inning. He struck out one.

The offense battled back and was able to make it a one-run game.

In the third inning, shortstop Edgar Duran would single and eventually score on a wild pitch. Third baseman Maikel Franco had a two-out RBI single to score second baseman Albert Cartwright, who also singled, to make the score 4-2.

Franco would score in the fifth on an error to make the score 4-3, but that's as close Reading could make it.

The Mets scored two unearned runs in the seventh for insurance.

Cartwright (2-for-5 with a run scored and a strikeout), Franco (2-for-4 with an RBI, a run scored, a walk and a strikeout) and Dugan (2-for-3 with a double) were bright spots on offense.

Catcher Sebastian Valle followed up Monday's two-home-run performance with a three-strikeout effort an a walk.

The Fightin Phils fell to 43-58. The series will wrap up Wednesday as Reading hands right-hander David Buchanan (6-9, 4.37 ERA) the ball.

Clearwater Threshers – Class A-Advanced

The Threshers defeated the Jupiter Hammerheads, 3-2, in 13 innings at Bright House Field in Clearwater, Fla.

Left-handed starter Tom Cochran allowed a run in the second inning, but Clearwater had an answer. Cochran would go 4 1/3 innings, giving up only the run on three hits and five walks.

In the fifth inning, left fielder Peter Lavin tripled and third baseman Harold Martinez doubled with two outs to tie the game at 1-1.

The game would remain tied until the ninth inning. Things looked grim for the Threshers as the Hammerheads pushed a run across in the top of the frame. However, first baseman Chris Serritella hit a home run with Clearwater down to their final out to send the game into extra innings.

In the 13th inning, Martinez led off the inning with a single. Four batters later, second baseman Matt Tolbert made the home crowd happy with a two-out single to score Martinez.

The Threshers moved to a game above .500 at 49-48. Southpaw Ethan Stewart (0-4, 7.56 ERA) is slated to take the mound for Clearwater as the series concludes Wednesday.

Lakewood BlueClaws – Class A

The BlueClaws fell to the Rome Braves, 5-3, at State Mutual Stadium in Rome, Ga.

Right-handed starter Jonathan Musser (1-6, 5.84 ERA) put his team in a early hole with his woeful performance. He allowed five runs on six hits and four walks over 3 2/3 innings to take the loss.

Lakewood couldn't produce any offense until the ninth inning. Trailing 5-0, first baseman Art Charles hit a three-run home run to avoid the shutout with his team down to their last out. Charles had struck out in his previous three at bats in the game before hitting his 10th homer of the season.

Shortstop Angelo Mora had the only multi-hit game for the BlueClaws. He went 2-for-4 with a run scored.

The loss dropped the BlueClaws to 40-59. Lakewood has an off day on Wednesday before hosting a four-game series against the Greenville Drive.

Williamsport Crosscutters - Class A-Short Season

The Crosscutters edged the Auburn Doubledays, 3-2, in the opening game of a three-game set at Falcon Park in Auburn, N.Y.

The bats, aided by a wild pitch and an error, spotted right-handed starter Shane Martin (2-2, 4.26 ERA) a two-run lead in the top of the first.

Third baseman Zach Green had an RBI single and first baseman Logan Pierce knocked in a run on a fielder's choice for a quick 2-0 lead.

Martin took advantage and had a solid outing. He allowed one run on seven hits while striking out seven over five innings for the victory. The run was the result of a solo home run in the third.

In the sixth inning, left fielder Justin Parr notched a two-out, bases-loaded single to score designated hitter Andrew Knapp for a 3-1 lead.

Knapp went 1-for-3 with two runs scored, a walk and a strikeout in the contest.

The bullpen did allow a run, but secured the win. Right-hander Mark Meadors struck out one in a perfect ninth to earn his second save of the season.

Green finished 2-for-4 with an RBI and two strikeouts.

The win lifted the Crosscutters to 18-15. The series continues on Wednesday as Williamsport will send righty Mitch Gueller (3-2, 5.64 ERA) to the hill.

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