Phillies Minor League Report: Maikel Franco's grand slam lifts IronPigs to victory
Here’s how the Phillies’ minor league teams fared on Tuesday, August 26.
Here's how the Phillies' minor league teams fared on Tuesday, August 26:
Lehigh Valley IronPigs – Triple A
The IronPigs held on to beat the Syracuse Chiefs, 5-4, to win a five-game series at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, Pa.
Third baseman Maikel Franco provided the big blow with a grand slam with two outs in the fifth inning. It was his 16th homer of the season and fourth in the last five games.
That made a winner out of right-handed starter Sean O'Sullivan (6-10, 4.45 ERA), who gave up three runs on six hits and four walks over six innings.
Shortstop Cesar Hernandez (2-for-3 with a walk, a run scored and a caught stealing) and first baseman Russ Canzler (2-for-3 with a double, a walk, a run scored, a stolen base and a strikeout) combined for half of the offense's eight hits.
Righty Mike Adams began his rehab and retired the side in order in his inning of work, striking out one.
The IronPigs (63-75) will host the Pawtucket Red Sox for a two-game series, beginning on Wednesday. A starting pitcher has not been announced yet.
Reading Fightin Phils – Double A
The Fightin Phils beat the Portland Sea Dogs, 4-1, at Hadlock Field in Portland, Maine.
The game was scoreless until the seventh inning when the Reading Phils were finally able to break through with a two-out rally. Shortstop KC Serna singled and eventually scored on a wild pitch.
Right-handed starter Ryan O'Sullivan (6-8, 3.95 ERA) picked up the victory as he tossed seven scoreless innings. He allowed six hits, walked one and hit batter while striking out six.
Serna finished the game 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored.
Designated hitter Carlos Alonso (2-for-4), center fielder Aaron Altherr (2-for-4 with a double, a run scored and a strikeout) and right fielder Zach Collier (2-for-4 with a strikeout) also had multi-hit games.
Southpaw Adam Loewen (2-5, 3.18 ERA) will toe the rubber for the Fightin Phils (60-76) as the series continues on Wednesday.
Clearwater Threshers – Class A-Advanced
The Threshers were stymied by the Tampa Yankees, 4-1, at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla.
The offense was held to four hits in the loss. Right fielder Brian Pointer went 2-for-4 with a double, a run scored and a strikeout.
Right-handed starter Mark Leiter (3-5, 4.68 ERA) was stuck with the loss. He surrendered three runs (two earned) on 10 hits and a walk in 6 1/3 innings.
Center fielder Roman Quinn (1-for-3 with a walk and a caught stealing) was the only other Thresher to reach base twice.
The Threshers (28-37 in second half, 45-88 overall) will hand the ball to righty Jordan Guth (3-4, 2.60 ERA) when the series continues Wednesday.
Lakewood BlueClaws – Class A
The BlueClaws suffered a third straight loss and fell to the Hickory Crawdads, 6-2, at FirstEnergy Park in Lakewood Township, N.J.
Right fielder Dylan Cozens gave the BlueClaws a lead in the second inning with a two-run home run. It was Cozens' team-leading 16th homer of the season.
Unfortunately, right-handed starter Tyler Viza (3-17, 5.29 ERA) couldn't hold the lead and extended his league lead and franchise record for losses in a season. Viza was charged with five runs (four earned) on five hits and two walks while striking out six in 3 2/3 innings.
The BlueClaws (23-39 in second half, 50-81 overall) will send righty Jon Prosinski (5-5, 3.68 ERA) as the series continues on Wednesday.
Williamsport Crosscutters – Class A-Short Season
The Crosscutters hammered the Batavia Muckdogs, 8-1, to split a two-game series at Dwyer Stadium in Batavia, N.Y.
After allowing a first-inning run, right-handed starter Feliberto Sanchez (3-8, 5.27 ERA) settled in and earned the win. He allowed a run on seven hits while striking out five over 5 2/3 innings.
The offense pounded out 15 hits in the win. Seven Crosscutters notched multi-hit games.
Second baseman Derek Campbell (2-for-5 with a triple, two runs scored, an RBI and a strikeout), right fielder Jose Pujols (2-for-4 with two runs scored, an RBI and two strikeouts) and third baseman Jan Hernandez (2-for-4 with a double, a walk, two runs scored and an RBI) led the way for Williamsport.
The Crosscutters (32-38) will now travel for a two-game series with the State College Spikes. Righty Ricardo Pinto (1-4, 2.25 ERA) is slated to start the opener on Wednesday.