Phillies Minor League Report: J.P. Crawford homers twice during Clearwater loss

Here's how the Phillies' minor league teams fared on Sunday, Aug. 24:

Lehigh Valley IronPigs – Triple A

The Lehigh Valley pitching staff tossed a combined four-hitter during a 5-3 victory over the Syracuse Chiefs Sunday at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown.

Starter Jason Maqruis led the IronPigs' pitching staff with six innings of work where he allowed only two runs on two hits. He earned his second Lehigh Valley win as a result.

Luis Garcia gave up a run and two hits during the ninth inning, but managed to fend off the Chiefs to record his 20th save of the season.

Offensively, the IronPigs were led by left fielder Cam Perkins. Perkins went 3-for-3 with an RBI. Third baseman Maikel Franco continued his recent hot streak by going 2-for-4.

Russ Canzler and Tyler Henson each hit solo homers to push their season totals to 13 and eight respectively. Canzler also has 57 RBI this season.

After gaining the upper hand in the series, the IronPigs will play the Chiefs again at 7:05 p.m. Monday. Brad Lincoln (6-10, 5.17 ERA) is scheduled to start for Lehigh Valley.

Reading Fightin Phils – Double-A

The bullpen squandered a strong outing from Aaron Nola, as the Fightin Phils fell short of sweeping the Erie SeaWolves by way of a 5-3 loss at FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading.

Nola allowed merely one run on four hits during five productive innings on the mound. He also recorded five strikeouts.

He did not gain the decision, however, after Austin Wright allowed four runs in only one inning of work. The four runs gave the SeaWolves a 5-1 lead and shifted the momentum firmly in their favor.

The Fightin Phils plated two runs during the bottom of the sixth, but couldn't crank out any more runs. Wright took the loss, which dropped to his record 2-4 on the season.

The Fightin Phils plated three runs despite recording 10 hits. Second baseman Carlos Alonso, left fielder Peter Lavin and shortstop KC Serna all went 2-for-4 to lead the team from the plate.

Alonso drove in two runs to improve his season total to 38.

After taking two of three from Erie, the Fightin Phils travel to Portland, Maine to open the next-to-last series of the 2014 season against the Portland Sea Dogs at Hadlock Field.

Severino Gonzalez (9-12, 4.72 ERA) is slated to start for Reading.

Clearwater Threshers – Class A-Advanced

Despite two homers from shortstop J.P. Crawford, a complete collapse by the bullpen led to the Threshers taking a 5-4 loss at the hands of the Brevard County Manatees Sunday at Bright House Field in Clearwater, Fla.

The Threshers went into the ninth inning holding a 2-1 lead, but Lee Ridenhour coughed up four runs, which gave the Manatees their first lead of the game.

Crawford hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the frame to help the close the gap, but it wasn't quite enough and the Threshers took yet another series loss.

Crawford finished the contest 2-for-4 with both of his hits being home runs. He also drove in three runs. First baseman Art Charles also went 2-for-4 and hit his 19th homer of the season during the eighth inning.

Ridenhour's rough night overshadowed Miguel Nunez's stellar performance on the mound. Nunez allowed only one run on four hits and struck out five batters in eight innings of work.

Ridenhour was hit with his third blown save and his eighth loss of the season.

The Threshers will receive a day off Monday, but will be back on the field at 7 p.m. Tuesday when they play the Tampa Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla. Mark Leiter (3-4, 4.91 ERA) will take the mound for Clearwater.

Lakewood BlueClaws – Class A

The BlueClaws dropped two out of three to the Greensboro Grasshoppers after taking a 4-1 loss at FirstEnergy Park in Lakewood Township, N.J.

The Lakewood pitching staff surrendered 12 hits Sunday, six of which came off starter Matt Imhof.

Imhof lasted only four innings where he allowed two runs and recorded four strikeouts.

Relievers Frank Rivas, Joey Denato and Nick Rodesky all allowed two hits apiece.

Offensively, the BlueClaws recorded seven hits with four coming from catcher Andrew Knapp and right fielder Aaron Brown. Brown drove Lakewood's lone run.

The BlueClaws will receive a day of rest Monday, but will be back on the field at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday to host the Hickory Crawdads. Tyler Viza (3-16, 5.15 ERA) will start for Lakewood.

Williamsport Crosscutters – Class A-Short Season

The Crosscutters were shut down during an 8-0 loss to the Auburn Doubledays at Falcon Park in Auburn, N.Y.

The Crosscutters not only dropped the weekend set with the Doubledays, but also dropped the season series to the Doubledays as well.

Williamsport was able to record five hits on Auburn starter Austen Williams, but was simply unable to capitalize on the few opportunities it had.

Shortstop Emmanuel Marrero recorded two of the Crosscutters' seven total hits.

The Doubledays did the bulk of their damage during the third inning, as they plated seven runs on starter Mitch Gueller.

Gueller was chased after only 2.2 innings where he gave up seven runs on six hits. He took the loss, which dropped his record to 5-5 on the season.

The Crosscutters will stay on the road, as they will begin a two-game set against the Batavia Muckdogs at Dwyer Stadium in Batavia, N.Y. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Monday. Brandon Leibrandt (2-2, 1.75 ERA) is scheduled to start for Williamsport.

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