Phillies Minor League Report: Aaron Nola tosses five scoreless innings
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Here's how the Phillies' minor league teams fared on Friday, Aug. 29:
Lehigh Valley IronPigs – Triple A
For the first time in franchise history, the IronPigs took home the "IronRail" trophy by virtue of their 6-5 win over the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders Friday at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown.
The IronPigs won the "IronRail" trophy after defeating the RailRiders for the ninth time this season, which clinched the season series.
The IronPigs' chances of winning the "IronRail" looked to be in jeopardy after the RailRiders plated five runs between the third and fifth innings to take a 5-3 lead.
The IronPigs countered during the sixth after center fielder Tony Gwynn Jr. hit a bases-clearing double to right field to take back the lead.
Mike Adams and Luis Garcia held off the RailRiders during the final three innings to secure the victory. Garcia earned his 22nd save of the season in the process.
Jason Marquis earned his third win with the IronPigs despite giving up five runs on eight hits during six innings of work.
Offensively, shortstop Cesar Hernandez, left fielder Cam Perkins and Gwynn Jr., who all went 2-for-4, led the IronPigs. The IronPigs recorded 11 hits as a team.
After clinching the season series with the RailRiders, the IronPigs will try to add another victory in the series at 6:35 p.m. Saturday.
Reading Fightin Phils – Double-A
A strong outing from pitcher Aaron Nola helped the Fightin Phils earn a 3-0 victory over the Trenton Thunder at Arm & Hammer Park in Trenton, N.J.
With the win, the Fightin Phils have now won four games in a row.
Nola tossed five scoreless innings where he allowed only four hits. He earned his second victory with the Fightin Phils as a result.
Colton Murray earned his fifth save of the season, as the bullpen held the Thunder hitless hits during the final three innings.
Despite recording 11 hits, the Fightin Phils didn't plate their first run until the fifth inning when third baseman Carlos Alonso drove in center fielder Zach Collier for the game's first run.
Alonso struck again during the seventh, as he drove in Collier for another run. Right fielder Peter Lavin then drove in Alonso to the game's final run.
Alonso led the Fightin Phils by going 3-for-5 with two RBI. Lavin wasn't too far behind, as he went 2-for-4. Second baseman Albert Cartwright had a productive outing as well, going 2-for-5 from the plate.
After taking the series opener, the Fightin Phils take on the Thunder again at 7:05 p.m. Saturday.
Clearwater Threshers – Class A-Advanced
The Threshers only played eight innings due to rain Friday, but made the most of them during a 6-3 win over the Lakeland Flying Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Fla.
The Threshers went into the seventh tied with the Flying Tigers, 3-3. That changed after designated hitter Art Charles and right fielder Brian Pointer hit back-to-back RBI singles to give the Threshers the lead.
Those were Charles' and Pointer's only hits of the game.
A walk with the bases loaded brought Charles home and gave the Threshers a comfortable lead. The Flying Tigers were unable to respond, as the game was called due to rain after the eighth.
Left fielder Herlis Rodriguez led the Threshers in hitting after going 2-for-4 from the plate.
Starting pitcher Kevin Walter did not garner decision after surrendering three runs on seven hits during 4.2 innings.
The decision went to Aaron Baker, who earned his first win of the season after allowing three hits during 2.2 innings.
The Threshers will take on the Flying Tigers again at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Lakewood BlueClaws – Class A
A rough start for pitcher Yacksel Rios led to the BlueClaws falling to the Hagerstown Suns, 10-4, at Municipal Stadium in Hagerstown, Md.
Rios lasted only 1.2 innings where he gave up seven runs (five earned) on eight hits and let up two home runs.
While the Suns were busy racking up 13 hits against the Lakewood pitching staff, the BlueClaws were only able to muster six.
The BlueClaws will look to bounce back against the Suns at 7:05 p.m. Saturday.
Williamsport Crosscutters – Class A-Short Season
On a night where left fielder Jiandido Tromp broke the franchise record for home runs in a season, the Crosscutters fell to the Jamestown Jammers, 7-1 at Susquehanna Bank Park at Bowman Field in Williamsport.
Tromp hit his 14th homer of the season during the fourth, which is the most in a single season in Crosscutters history.
Besides Tromp's homer, the Crosscutters only recorded two more hits against the Jammers.
Starter David Whitehead tossed six innings where he gave up three runs (one earned) on four hits during six innings. His record dropped to 4-4 as a result.