Phillies Minor League Report: Three Crosscutters combine on four-hitter
Here's how the Phillies' minor league teams fared on Sunday, August 3.
Here's how the Phillies' minor league teams fared on Sunday, August 3:
Lehigh Valley IronPigs – Triple A
The IronPigs were trounced by the Durham Bulls, 9-2, at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, Pa.
The loss snapped a four-game winning streak.
Right-handed starter Brad Lincoln (5-8, 4.93 ERA) labored through a sloppy outing and took the loss. Lincoln allowed five runs on five hits and four walks while striking out seven over 5 1/3 innings.
The 3-4-5 hitters all recorded multi-hit games and combined for six of the team's nine hits. Designated hitter Russ Canzler (2-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk), first baseman Jim Murphy (2-for-4 with an RBI and two strikeouts) and center fielder Clete Thomas (2-for-4 with two doubles) weren't enough to carry the offense.
The IronPigs (53-63) hand the ball to southpaw Greg Smith (7-8, 4.60 ERA) as the series continues on Monday.
Reading Fightin Phils – Double A
The Fightin Phils fell to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, 7-1, at Northeast Delta Dental Stadium in Manchester, N.H.
Right-handed starter Ryan O'Sullivan (5-7, 3.75 ERA) struggled early in the game and put his team down, 7-0, after three innings. O'Sullivan gave seven runs on eight hits, two walks and a hit batsman in six innings.
Left fielder Zach Collier blasted a solo homer in the fifth to avoid the shutout. Collier hit three home runs in the last two games.
Third baseman Carlos Alonso and catcher Sebastian Valle added two singles each.
The Fightin Phils (47-67) return home for a four-game series with the Harrisburg Senators. Lefty Adam Loewen (1-4, 3.68 ERA) is slated to start the opener on Monday.
Clearwater Threshers – Class A-Advanced
The Threshers cruised to a 5-1 victory over the St. Lucie Mets at Bright House Field in Clearwater, Fla.
Back-to-back home runs by designated hitter Art Charles and catcher Corey Bass helped power the offense.
Charles regained sole possession of first place on the Threshers with his 12th home run.
Bass had an RBI single in the second to finish the game 2-for-2 with a walk.
Right-handed starter Colin Kleven (5-8, 4.63 ERA) spun six scoreless innings to earn the win. Kleven allowed four hits, walked three and struck out seven.
The Threshers (19-24 in second half, 36-75 overall) will go for a series split on Monday. A starting pitcher has not been announced yet.
Lakewood BlueClaws – Class A
The BlueClaws lost to the Asheville Tourists, 8-3, at FirstEnergy Park in Lakewood Township, N.J.
The offense jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning. Center fielder Carlos Tocci hit a solo home run and first baseman Zach Green (3-for-4) hit an RBI single to score right fielder Dylan Cozens, who also singled.
Left-handed starter Matt Imhof immediately handed the lead to the Tourists as he surrendered a three-run second. Imhof settled for a no-decision as he kept his team in the game. He was charged with only those three runs on six hits while striking out seven over five innings.
In the fourth, catcher Willians Astudillo (2-for-4) and shortstop Malquin Canelo (2-for-4) doubled to tie the game and let Imhof off the hook.
Righty Delvi Francisco was rocked for a five-run seventh that doomed Lakewood.
The BlueClaws (17-26 in second half, 44-68 overall) will trot out righty Tyler Viza (3-14, 5.15 ERA) when the series continues Monday.
Williamsport Crosscutters – Class A-Short Season
Three pitchers combined for a four-hit shutout as the Crosscutters beat the Aberdeen IronBirds, 2-0, at Bowman Field in WIlliamsport, Pa.
Right-handed starter Mitch Gueller (5-2, 2.93 ERA) picked up the win as he gave up three hits in five innings. He struck out four.
Left fielder Jiandido Tromp hit his team-leading 11th home run, a solo shot in the fourth, that proved to be all the offense that was needed.
Jesen Therrien pitched two perfect innings and Calvin Rayburn (1.77 ERA) gave up one hit in two innings to secure the win. Rayburn notched his sixth save of the season.
The Crosscutters (24-26) look for a series sweep on Monday. Lefty Brandon Leibrandt (1-0, 0.50 ERA) will take the mound in the finale.