Phillies Minor League Report: Crosscutters toss nine hitless innings and lose

Here's how the Phillies' minor league teams fared on Saturday, July 26:

Lehigh Valley IronPigs – Triple A

The IronPigs fell behind early and dropped their seventh game in a row via a 5-2 loss to the Buffalo Bisons at Coca-Cola Field in Buffalo, N.Y.

The Bisons plated four runs in the bottom of the first off Lehigh Valley starter David Buchanan. Buchanan lasted only three innings where he allowed four runs on four hits. His record fell to 5-2 as a result.

First baseman Maikel Franco was the only productive member of the IronPigs' lineup Saturday, as he hit his seventh homer of the season during the ninth inning and drove in two runs. He now has seven homers and 50 RBI on the season

Besides Franco, the IronPigs' offense was largely ineffective. The IronPigs only recorded six hits and were struck out 11 times, including three from catcher Cameron Rupp who finished 0-for-4.

The IronPigs will try to finally end this skid when they face the Bisons again at 1:05 p.m. Sunday. Left-hander Jo-Jo Reyes (0-1, 12.60 ERA) is scheduled to start for Lehigh Valley.

Reading Fightin Phils – Double A

Four runs during the fifth inning helped the Fightin Phils defeat the Akron RubberDucks, 6-3, Saturday at FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading.

Reading posted its big inning thanks to RBI hits from catcher Logan Moore, right fielder Kelly Dugan and designated hitter Jake Fox.

After the offense gave the team a sizeable lead, the pitching staff held the RubberDucks at bay by allowing only seven hits.

Starter Hoby Milner earned his sixth victory of the season after he allowed only one run on four hits and three walks during six innings of work.

After Seth Rosin and Nefi Ogando preserved the lead, Colton Murray stepped in and earned his first save with the Fightin Phils.

Fox led the Fightin Phils in hitting by going 3-for-4 with two RBI. His is batting .347 so far this season with 44 RBI.

Center fielder Zach Collier wasn't far behind as he went 2-for-3 with a double. Shortstop KC Serna hit his first double-A homer during the third inning.

The Fightin Phils will attempt to take three out of four from the RubberDucks when they wrap up the series at 1:35 p.m. Sunday. Chris Bootcheck (2-2, 6.00 ERA) will start for Reading.

Clearwater Threshers – Class A-Advanced

Despite a strong outing from pitcher Mark Leiter, the Threshers fell to the Jupiter Hammerheads by a score of 3-2 at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla. Saturday.

Leiter tossed seven innings where he allowed only two runs on four hits, but a walk-off single from Jupiter center fielder Ryan Goetz off Cody Forsythe sent the Threshers to their fourth loss in five games.

Forsythe was dealt the loss, which dropped him to 1-2.

The Threshers plated both of their runs during the fourth inning after RBI hits from left fielder Everett Williams and catcher Gabriel Lino. Unfortunately for the Threshers, they couldn't muster any more runs.

Williams, along with third baseman Harold Martinez, led the Threshers offensively by going 2-for-4. The Threshers recorded eight hits Saturday. Jordan Guth (2-3, 2.44 ERA)

Lakewood BlueClaws – Class A

Despite being out-hit 10-5, the BlueClaws somehow managed to defeat the Kannapolis Intimidators, 4-3, at FirstEnergy Park in Lakewood Township, N.J.

The Intimidators plated two runs during the top of the ninth to tie game. Catcher Andrew Knapp started off the bottom of the frame with a walk. Right fielder Dylan Cozens then laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance Knapp.

Zach Green then flied out to right field, but a throwing error from Jupiter's Jacob Morris allowed allowed Knapp to cross the plate for the winning run.

Part of the reason why the BlueClaws were able to win with only five hits is because of the strong performance of pitcher Ranfi Casimiro.

Casimiro allowed only one run and one hits during six innings. However, Casimiro did not gain the decision as that went to Daniel Child, who also earned his first blown save of the year.

The BlueClaws and the Intimidators will embark on a doubleheader starting at 3:05 p.m. Sunday. Lefty Matt Imhof (0-0, 6.00 ERA) will take the mound for Lakewood.

Williamsport Crosscutters – Class A-Short Season

The Crosscutters didn't allow a hit for nine innings, but still somehow lost to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers by a score of 5-1 at Susquehanna Bank Park at Bowman Field in Williamsport.

Pitchers Ricardo Pinto, Edubray Ramos and Calvin Rayburn combined to toss nine hitless innings. But Bryan Sova took over during the 10th and allowed four runs (one earned) on five hits in only one inning.

Sova took the loss, which dropped him to 1-1 on the year.

Pinto somehow allowed a run during the fourth inning without giving up a run after he walked a batter and threw a wild pitch that advanced the runner. The runner then crossed the plate after a sacrifice fly.

The Crosscutters' lone run came courtesy of an RBI hit from right fielder Cord Sandberg during the fourth inning.

Despite only scoring one run, the Crosscutters recorded nine hits, including two from second baseman Drew Stankiewicz, third baseman Jan Hernandez and shortstop Emmanuel Marrero who all went 2-for-4.

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After dropping two of three to the Scrappers, the Crosscutters will open a three-game series against the Batavia Muckdogs at Dwyer Stadium in Batavia, N.Y.

The first game is scheduled for 5:05 p.m. Sunday, as David Whitehead (2-3, 3.07 ERA) is scheduled to start.