Phillies Minor League Report: Hoby Milner has strong outing during Reading win
Here's how the Phillies' minor league teams fared on Saturday, June 14:
Lehigh Valley IronPigs – Triple A
The IronPigs were battered early and often Saturday during a 11-1 drubbing at the hands of the Rochester Red Wings at Frontier Field in Rochester, N.Y.
The loss dropped the IronPigs' record in the month of June to a less-than-stellar 4-9.
Starting pitcher Chris Bootcheck bore the brunt of Rochester's onslaught during his brief time on the mound. Bootcheck lasted only two innings where he allowed six runs (five earned) on only five hits. He also walked three batters. Bootcheck was handed the loss, which dropped his record to 2-3.
Hector Neris pitched the next three innings in relief of Bootcheck, but allowed three more runs on three hits.
The IronPigs' offense showed little signs of life, as they recorded only five hits. Lehigh Valley plated its lone run during the third inning courtesy of an RBI hit from second baseman Rusty Ryal. Left fielder Leandro Castro led the team in hits, finishing the night 2-for-4. Both of his hits were doubles.
Despite only mustering five hits, the IronPigs managed to get runners in scoring position 10 times. However, they only recorded hits on two of those opportunities.
The IronPigs will wrap up their four-game series against the Red Wings at 1:05 p.m. Sunday. Left-hander Greg Smith (4-5, 4.11 ERA) is scheduled to start for Lehigh Valley.
Reading Fightin Phils – Double A
A strong performance from pitcher Hoby Milner helped the Fightin Phils snap a three-game losing streak by way of a 5-2 win over the Altoona Curve at Peoples Natural Gas Field in Altoona.
Milner struck out six batters and allowed only two runs on four hits during seven innings on the mound. His efforts earned him the win, which improved his record to 5-3 on the season.
After an inning of middle relief from Kyle Simon, Seth Rosin stepped on the rubber to secured the win and his first save of the season.
While Milner was shutting down the Curve, the Fightin Phils offense was lighting the Altoona pitching staff up to the tune of 13 hits. The Fightin Phils left nine runners on base, but went 8-for-16 with runners in scoring position.
Second baseman Albert Cartwright improved his batting average to .290 after going 3-for-5. Catcher Logan Moore (1-for-2) led the team in RBI with two. Third baseman Carlos Alonso and first baseman Jake Fox each drove and finished the night 2-for-5.
The Fightin Phils finish up their three-game series with the Curve at 6 p.m. Sunday. Perci Harner (4-3, 4.14 ERA) will take the mound for Reading.
Clearwater Threshers – Class A-Advanced
Art Charles and the North Division topped the South Division in the Florida State League All-Star Game Saturday at McKechnie Field in Bradenton, Fla.
Charles was the only representative of the Threshers in the North Division roster and he entered the game during the sixth inning as a defensive substitute. He struck out swinging during his only at-bat during the eighth inning.
The Threshers will be back on the field as a team June 16 when they host the Lakeland Flying Tigers at Bright House Field in Clearwater.
Lakewood BlueClaws – Class A
Phillies third baseman Cody Asche posted another productive outing from the plate Saturday during the BlueClaws' 5-2 loss to the Hickory Crawdads Saturday at FirstEnergy Park in Lakewood Township, N.J.
Asche finished his rehab outing 1-for-2 with an RBI. In only two games with the BlueClaws, Asche has driven in five runs.
Asche and center fielder Carlos Tocci (2-for-4) were the only BlueClaws to see any production against the Crawdads. The BlueClaws posted a mere total of five hits and struck out 11 times.
The Lakewood pitching staff combined for a good effort, as starter Ranfi Casimiro allowed only two runs on two hits and struck out five batters during six innings on the mound. His only problem was that he walked four batters.
Despite the lackluster offensive outing, the BlueClaws were tied with the Crawdads, 2-2, heading into the final inning, but relief pitcher Christopher O'Hare gave up three runs during the frame. O'Hare took the loss, which dropped him to 0-2.
The BlueClaws will meet the Crawdads one more time at 1:05 p.m. Sunday in what will be the final game before the All-Star break. Tyler Viza (2-8, 4.43 ERA) will get the start for Lakewood.
Williamsport Crosscutters – Class A-Short Season
Six unanswered runs over the course of three innings doomed the Crosscutters during their 6-2 loss to the State College Spikes at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park in State College.
The Crosscutters held a 2-0 lead heading into the top of the fifth, but the Spikes surpassed the Crosscutters by scoring runs in three straight innings.
Williamsport starting pitcher Ricardo Pinto and relief pitcher Delvi Francisco bore the brunt of State College's scoring barrage, as they surrendered all six runs on six combined hits. Pinto suffered the loss despite striking out eight batters. Francisco was handed his first blown save of the season.
The Crosscutters didn't fare much better from the plate, as they recorded only five hits, two of which were courtesy of right fielder Cord Sandberg (no relation to Ryne). The two RBI came from third baseman Jan Hernandez and designated hitter Wilson Garcia.
The Crosscutters will return home to Susquehanna Bank Park at Bowman Field Sunday to host the Spikes again at 5:05 p.m. David Whitehead is scheduled to start for Williamsport.