Phillies Minor League Report: Carlos Alonso records four hits during Reading victory
Here's how the Phillies' minor league teams fared on Friday, July 11:
Lehigh Valley IronPigs – Triple A
Despite a three-hit performance from first baseman Jim Murphy, the IronPigs fell to the Louisville Bats, 7-3, at Louisville Slugger Field in Louisville, Ky. Friday.
Murphy went 3-for-3 during the contest, but the rest of the IronPigs lineup only recorded four hits.
Left fielder Darin Ruf (1-for-4) and center fielder Leandro Castro (0-for-3) offered some offensive help by driving in one run apiece, but there wasn't much else from the Lehigh Valley offense.
Starting pitcher Brad Lincoln faced some trouble as well during his brief outing. Lincoln lasted only 3.2 innings where he allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits. He did manage to strikeout five batters. However, he suffered the loss, which dropped him to 4-5.
The IronPigs will try regain the upper hand their series with the Bats at 6:05 p.m. Saturday. Greg Smith (7-6, 3.81 ERA) is scheduled to start for Lehigh Valley.
Reading Fightin Phils – Double A
An offensive explosion helped the Fightin Phils overcame an early deficit on their way to defeating the New Britain Rock Cats Friday, 5-3, at New Britain Stadium in New Britain, Conn.
The Fightin Phils trailed 2-0 heading into the fourth inning, but used 13 hits to surge past the Rock Cats for their first win in the season series.
The Fightin Phils were led in the hitting department by second baseman Carlos Alonso, who went 4-for-5 and drove in a run. Left fielder Kelly Dugan wasn't far behind, as he finished 2-for-4 and drove in two runs.
Shortstop KC Serna and center fielder Aaron Altherr joined the hit parade by both going 2-for-5.
Starting pitcher Severino Gonzalez improved his record to 6-9 after allowing only three runs on six hits during six innings of work. Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez came on in the ninth to secure his first save with the Fightin Phils.
After taking the series opener against the Rock Cats, the Fightin Phils will square off with them again at 7:05 p.m. Saturday. Hoby Milner (5-5, 4.55 ERA) will take the mound for Reading.
Clearwater Threshers – Class A-Advanced
Despite a homer from shortstop J.P. Crawford, the Threshers were stymied by the Palm Beach Cardinals, 3-2, at Bright House Field in Clearwater, Fla. Friday.
Crawford's homer was his fourth of the season and extended his current hitting streak to nine games, but the Threshers recorded only five hits as a team and dropped their second game in a row in the process.
The Threshers' five hits came from five different batters.
Starting pitcher Kevin Walter was solid during the contest, allowing only two runs on four hits during four innings. Lino Martinez took the mound for the next three innings, but gave up the winning run during the seventh after Palm Beach designated hitter Mason Katz hit a solo homer.
Martinez suffered the loss, which dropped him to 0-6 on the year.
After dropping the series opener to Palm Beach, the Threshers will step on the field again at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. Mark Leiter (1-0, 3.75 ERA) will start for Clearwater.
Lakewood BlueClaws – Class A
Despite 16 hits, including four from center fielder Carlos Tocci, the BlueClaws fell to the Delmarva Shorebirds by a score of 9-8 Friday at FirstEnergy Park in Lakewood Township, N.J.
The BlueClaws got off to a hot start thanks to four runs during the first inning. The Shorebirds eventually began to keep pace with the BlueClaws, as between the fourth and seventh innings, the teams combined to plate 12 runs.
The turning point was during the top of the seventh when Delmarva designated hitter Conor Bierfeldt hit a grand slam off relief pitcher Will Morris.
Morris was handed his first blown save and loss of the season after allowing six runs during 1.2 innings in relief of starter Yacksel Rios. Rios tossed five innings where he allowed three runs on three hits and struck out six batters.
Tocci led the BlueClaws offensively by going 4-for-6 with an RBI. Second baseman Andrew Pullin wasn't far behind, as he went 3-for-5 with an RBI as well.
Catcher Andrew Knapp, first baseman Zach Green and third baseman Mitch Walding all went 2-for-5 during the contest. Green drove in two runs.
The BlueClaws will take on the Shorebirds again at 7:05 p.m. Sunday. Ranfi Casimiro (2-8, 5.47 ERA) will start for Lakewood.
Williamsport Crosscutters – Class A-Short Season
The Crosscutters' five-game winning streak came to an embarrassing and, as they were pounded by the Vermont Lake Monsters by a score of 14-2 at Susquehanna Bank Park at Bowman Friday in Williamsport.
Williamsport starting pitcher Chris Oliver ran into a heap of trouble during the second inning, as he coughed up seven runs during the frame. Oliver suffered his first loss of the season after pitching only 1.2 innings.
Things didn't get any better for reliever Preston Packrall, as he allowed six runs on seven hits in only 1.2 innings.
As a result, the Crosscutters were forced to use seven pitchers during the contest. Before the Crosscutters knew what hit them, they were down 13-2 after only four innings.
The Crosscutters couldn't keep up with the Lake Monsters, as they recorded a mere five hits. Second baseman Robinson Torres drove in both of the Williamsport runs to increase his total on the season to four.
After failing to sweep the Lake Monsters, the Crosscutters will host the Tri-City ValleyCats for a three-game series starting at 7:05 p.m. Saturday. Alejandro Arteaga (1-2, 3.82 ERA) is scheduled to start.