Phillies Minor League Report: Ben Lively picks up seventh win with Reading
Here's how the Phillies' minor-league teams fared on Monday, July 6:
Lehigh Valley IronPigs (36-50) – Triple A
A walkoff homer from the Rochester Red Wings' Oswaldo Arcia sank the IronPigs during a dramatic 10-8 loss at Frontier Field in Rochester, N.Y.
The IronPigs held an 8-6 lead entering the bottom of the ninth after they plated four runs in the top half of the inning. But Adam Loewen allowed four runs, including Arcia's three-run homer, which sent the Rochester fans home happy.
Loewen (1-3) suffered the loss. Starter Anthony Vasquez allowed three runs on six hits in five innings. Lehigh Valley pitchers yielded 14 hits overall.
The IronPigs racked up 11 hits of their own, four coming from Chase d'Arnaud. D'Arnaud was 4 for 5 and drove in his 19th run of the season.
Aaron Altherr recorded only one hit, but it was eventful: a three-run homer during the third inning. Altherr has hit .321 with 13 RBI since being promoted to Lehigh Valley.
After five games against the Red Wings, the IronPigs return home to Coca-Cola Field in Allentown to play the first of six consecutive games against the Pawtucket Red Sox, starting at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday. David Buchanan (2-0, 2.53 ERA) is scheduled to start for Lehigh Valley.
Reading Fightin Phils (44-39) – Double-A
Harold Martinez helped the Fightin Phils salvage a 6-4 victory against the Trenton Thunder at FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading.
Martinez went 3 for 4 with two RBI and a pair of doubles. Also driving in runs were J.P. Crawford, Brodie Greene, Drew Heid and Brock Stassi. Stassi improved his RBI total to 53.
Starting pitcher Ben Lively earned his seventh victory of the season despite yielding four runs on five hits in six innings. Lively struck out five and walked four.
Stephen Shackleford was steady once again in the closer role, as he pitched a scoreless ninth. He has 17 saves this season.
The Fightin Phils will continue their homestand at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday when they host the Portland Sea Dogs. Phillies pitcher Jerome Williams will make a rehab start for Reading.
Clearwater Threshers (46-36) – Class A-Advanced
Pitcher Victor Arano put on a dominant performance, and it helped the Threshers clinch a series victory over the Brevard County Manatees with a 3-0 win in a rain-shortened game at Space Coast Stadium in Melbourne, Fla.
Arano pitched all seven innings, allowed only three hits and struck out three.
The Threshers recorded only five hits, but received timely ones from Mitch Walding and Chase Harris during the third inning that accounted for all three of the game's runs.
The Threshers return home to Bright House Field in Clearwater, Fla. to open a three-game series with the Lakeland Flying Tigers. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Ricardo Pinto (2-1, 2.84 ERA) is slated to start for Clearwater.
Lakewood BlueClaws (39-41) – Class A
Two runs during the eighth inning propelled the BlueClaws to a 5-3 victory over the Hagerstown Suns at FirstEnergy Park in Lakewood Township, N.J.
The Suns plated three runs during the top of the eighth to knot the game 3-3. Cord Sandberg and Jiandido Tromp each drove in a run to give the BlueClaws the lead for good.
Sandberg was one of three BlueClaws to record multiple hits. Herlis Rodriguez led the way by going 3 for 4. He has 41 RBI this season.
Although he didn't factor in the decision, starting pitcher Will Morris tossed five scoreless innings and struck out five. Matt Hockenberry blew his second save of the season, but managed to pick up his second victory after allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits.
The BlueClaws will wrap up their series with the Suns at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday. Tyler Viza will take the mound for Lakewood.
Williamsport Crosscutters (13-4) – Class A-Short Season
After starting the season 13-1, the Crosscutters have dropped three in a row to the Brooklyn Cyclones. This time, it was by 2-1 in 10 innings at MCU Park in Brooklyn, N.Y.
The Crosscutters and Cyclones combined for a mere eight hits. Starting pitcher Tyler Gilbert allowed only one hit in three innings but did not factor into the decision. The loss went to Anthony Sequeira (1-1).
The Crosscutters will return to the comfy confines of Bowman Field for a six-game homestand that begins at 7:05 p.m. Wednesday when they host the Tri-City ValleyCats. Luke Leftwich (0-0, 3.38 ERA) is scheduled to start for Williamsport.