Phillies Minor League Report: Maikel Franco homers during Lehigh Valley victory
Here's how the Phillies' minor league teams fared on Tuesday, May 5:
Lehigh Valley IronPigs – Triple A
The IronPigs used 19 hits to dismantle the Louisville Bats, 12-1, Tuesday at Louisville Slugger Field in Louisville, Ky.
The IronPigs' best scoring output of the season helped them snap a four-game losing streak.
Lehigh Valley jumped on Louisville starter Dylan Axelrod right away, plating four runs in the first inning thanks to homers from Maikel Franco and Jordan Danks.
The IronPigs battered Axelrod to the tune of 11 hits before he left the mound after only 4.2 innings of work. When Axelrod left game, the IronPigs held a comfortable 6-1 advantage.
However, the IronPigs poured on six more runs between the seventh and ninth innings, highlighted by a three-run homer from Brian Bogusevic in the ninth.
Bogusevic led the IronPigs from the plate by going 4-for-6 and driving in four runs. Franco, Danks and McGuiness each recorded three hits apiece and drove in a combined five runs. Cord Phelps added two hits and two more RBI.
Lehigh Valley starter Jason Berken was handed plenty of run support during his five innings on the mound. He earned his second victory of the season after allowing only one run on four hits.
The IronPigs will attempt to take the series from the Bats at 6:35 p.m. Wednesday. David Buchanan will take the mound for Lehigh Valley.
Reading Fightin Phils – Double-A
The Fightin Phils were able to survive a slugfest, 11-9, with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats on Tuesday night at FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading.
Reading raced out to a 7-0 lead in the second inning, but the Fisher Cats made it interesting, scoring nine runs in the final seven innings. Both teams combined for 34 hits on the night.
Jesse Biddle did not have his best stuff, allowing five runs on 10 hits in four innings. Biddle struck out six before being relieved by Hoby Milner.
Milner pitched 2.1 innings and earned his first win of the season.
Stephen Shackleford picked up his fifth save of year, recording the final four outs for Reading.
First baseman Art Charles went 3-for-5 with two doubles, a home run and three RBI. Left fielder Cam Perkins was 2-for-3 with a homer and two RBI. Center fielder Roman Quinn went 1-for-4 with a triple, his fourth of the season.
The Fightin Phils are back in action Wednesday at 11:35 a.m., as they wrap up their series with the Fisher Cats. Righty Zach Eflin (2-1, 1.14 ERA) is scheduled to start for Reading.
Clearwater Threshers – Class A-Advanced
The Threshers lost a defensive struggle, 2-1, Tuesday to the Brevard County Manatees at Bright House Field in Clearwater, Fla.
The loss was Threshers' third in a row.
The Threshers were held to only six hits thanks to a strong outing from the Brevard County pitching staff. Andrew Knapp drove in Clearwater's lone run during the sixth inning. The Threshers finished the contest 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position.
Clearwater's pitching staff posted a productive outing as well, as starter Colin Kleven allowed only two runs on six hits during five innings of work. However, a lack of run support contributed to Kleven being handed his second loss of the season.
The Threshers will attempt to get back in the win column and avoid being swept by the Manatees at 1 p.m. Wednesday. David Whitehead (1-3, 3.03 ERA) will start for Clearwater.
Lakewood BlueClaws – Class A
The BlueClaws did not play Tuesday.
Lakewood is back in action Wednesday at 6:35 p.m. when the Augusta GreenJackets visit FirstEnergy Park in Lakewood Township, N.J. Lefty Josh Taylor (1-1, 3.68 ERA) is scheduled to start for the BlueClaws.