Phillies Minor League Report: IronPigs shutout for 10th time this season
Here's how the Phillies' minor league teams fared on Saturday, Aug. 16:
Lehigh Valley IronPigs – Triple A
The IronPigs mustered only six hits during a 5-0 loss to the Buffalo Bisons Saturday at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown.
The loss was the IronPigs' fifth in a row and they were shutout for the 10th time this season.
The IronPigs and the Bisons were locked in a scoreless tie all the way until the top of the seventh inning when starting pitcher Greg Smith allowed four runs during the frame.
Smith's outing ended after he allowed those four runs on eight hits and struck out five batters in seven innings of work. He was dealt the loss, which dropped him to 8-10 on the season.
Two of the IronPigs' five hits came from center fielder Tony Gwynn Jr., as he finished 2-for-3.
The IronPigs will try to avoid being swept by the Bisons at 5:35 p.m. Sunday. Jeff Manship (0-0, 4.50 ERA) is scheduled to start for Lehigh Valley.
Reading Fightin Phils – Double-A
The Fightin Phils' woes against the Binghamton Mets continued Saturday, as the Mets swept a doubleheader with the Fightin Phils by scores of 2-1 and 7-3 at FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading.
Pitcher Jesse Biddle posted a solid start on the mound in Game 1 by allowing only two runs on four hits and four walks in 3.2 innings. He was handed his 10th loss of the season, however, due to a poor offensive showing from the Reading lineup.
The Fightin Phils recorded a mere three hits, two of which came from first baseman Brock Stassi, who went 2-for-3.
Reading's lone run came after Binghamton pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka threw a wild pitch that allowed Peter Lavin to score from third base.
The Fightin Phils followed one poor offensive showing with another during Game 2, as they recorded only three hits again, all of which came during the first inning.
After a double from Lavin and a single from right fielder Kelly Dugan, center fielder Aaron Altherr stepped to the plate and hit his 14th home run of the season. That was the last sign of offense from the Fightin Phils.
Pitcher Adam Loewen tossed 5.2 innings where he allowed five runs (three earned) on three hits and four walks. He also struck out five batters. He took the loss, which dropped him to 2-5 on the year.
The Fightin Phils will also try to avoid being swept at 5:05 p.m. Sunday. Lefthander Hoby Milner (7-6, 4.56 ERA) is slated to start for Reading.
Clearwater Threshers – Class A-Advanced
The Threshers managed to fend off the Lakeland Flying Tigers en route to clinching a series victory with 7-5 win at Bright House Field in Clearwater, Fla.
The Threshers entered the bottom of the third inning trailing, 1-0, but quickly turned that around with a three-run homer from right fielder Brian Pointer, which was his 13th of the year.
Clearwater then took a commanding 6-1 lead by plating three more runs during the fourth.
The Flying Tigers did not go quietly into the night, however, as they plated three runs during the eighth to draw to within two runs.
Fortunately for the Threshers, Lee Ridenhour was able to shut the door on Lakeland to record his eighth save of the season.
The Threshers received hits from every member of the lineup on their way to recording 11 against Lakeland. Shortstop J.P. Crawford and first baseman Chris Serritella both led the Threshers by going 2-for-4.
Starting pitcher Colin Klevin gained his sixth win of the year after he allowed only two runs on five hits and seven strikeouts during six innings of work.
The Threshers will try to complete a three-game sweep of the Flying Tigers at 1 p.m. Sunday. Kevin Walter (0-3, 5.25 ERA) will take the mound for the Threshers.
Lakewood BlueClaws – Class A
Despite recording 10 hits, the BlueClaws only crossed the plate on two occasions during a 4-2 loss to the Hagerstown Suns at FirstEnergy Park in Lakewood Township, N.J.
The BlueClaws received a strong offensive performance from center fielder Aaron brown, who went 3-for-4, and very good ones from designated hitter Willians Astudillo and right fielder Dylan Cozens, who combined to go 4-for-7. The team, however, was simply not able to put runs on the board.
Cozens and third baseman Mitch Walding drove in the two Lakewood runs, which increased their season totals to 55 and 54 respectively.
Starting pitcher Tyler Viza took his 16th loss of the season after allowing three runs on seven hits during 5.1 innings of action.
The BlueClaws will try to take three out of four from the Suns at 5:05 p.m. Sunday. Jon Prosinski (4-5, 4.00 ERA)) will take the hill for Lakewood.
Williamsport Crosscutters – Class A-Short Season
A night after holding the Mahoning Valley Scrappers to one run, the Crosscutters mustered only one run Saturday during a 5-1 loss to the Scrappers at Eastwood Field in Niles, Ohio.
The Crosscutters only faced a two-run deficit heading into the top of the seventh despite being held off the board for the first six innings. The Crosscutters finally got on the board thanks to an RBI hit from right fielder Jose Pujols to cut the deficit in half.
The Scrappers answered right back in the bottom half of the frame with three insurance runs off reliever Scott Harris.
Third baseman Derek Campbell led the Crosscutters in hitting by going 2-for-4.
Mitch Gueller's record dropped to 5-4 after he allowed two runs on four hits during 5.1 innings on the mound.
The Crosscutters will try to clinch a series win over the Scrappers at 5:05 p.m. Sunday in the final game before the all-star break. Brandon Leibrandt (1-2, 1.74 ERA) is scheduled to start for Williamsport.