Phillies Minor League Report: Maikel Franco homers during Lehigh Valley loss
Here's how the Phillies' minor league teams fared on Thursday, June 5:
Lehigh Valley IronPigs – Triple A
Despite outscoring the Louisville Bats 7-2 during the final six innings, the IronPigs lost their third game in a row Thursday, 10-9, at Coca-Cola Field in Allentown.
The IronPigs fell behind early in the contest, as the Bats plated eight runs during the first two innings. All eight of those runs (four of which were earned) came at the expense of starter Barry Enright, who lasted only two innings. During his brief time on the mound, Enright also allowed eight hits. Enright was dealt the loss, which dropped his record to 3-4.
Louisville's hot start left the score at 8-2 heading into the third. Lehigh Valley's two runs came courtesy of a two-run homer from third baseman Maikel Franco. The homer was Franco's fifth of the season and was his only hit of the game.
Lehigh Valley's second home run came from one of the most unlikely of players. Pitcher Greg Smith was handed the task to pinch hit during the seventh inning and blasted a two-run homer to cut the IronPigs' deficit to one run.
Although momentum was on their side, the IronPigs were only able to muster one hit during the final two frames. Louisville closer Jumbo Diaz retired the IronPigs in order during the ninth and recorded his 15th save of the season.
First baseman Jim Murphy and left fielder Cam Perkins led the IronPigs in hits with two apiece.
The IronPigs will try to avoid being swept by the Bats at 7:05 p.m. Friday. Sean O'Sullivan (2-5, 4.36 ERA) is scheduled to start for Lehigh Valley.
Reading Fightin Phils – Double A
For the second game in a row, the Fightin Phils coughed up a lead to the Harrisburg Senators. This time, the game culminated with a walk-off homer from Harrisburg's Matt Skole to send the Fightin Phils to an 8-7 loss in 12 innings at Metro Bank Park in Harrisburg.
The loss closed out a troubling road trip for the Fightin Phils where they went 1-5.
The Fightin Phils held a 5-2 advantage heading into the bottom of the ninth, but Nefi Ogando surrendered three Harrisburg runs, which tied the game sent it into extras. The blown save was Ogando's second of the season.
The Fightin Phils managed to recover, however, with two runs during the top of the 12th. The Senators erased that lead with three runs off Jay Johnson during the bottom of the frame to send Reading to another crushing defeat.
Johnson was dealt the loss, which dropped his record to 0-2 on the season. Starter Adam Loewen produced a strong outing Thursday after allowing only three hits in five scoreless innings. He also walked four batters.
The Fightin Phils had a lot of production from the plate, as they recorded 16 hits. Three different Fightin Phils recorded three hits apiece. Those players were center fielder Aaron Altherr (3-for-5), third baseman Carlos Alonso and catcher Logan Moore (both 3-for-6). Altherr also led the team with two runs batted in.
Shortstop Edgar Duran and left fielder Addison Maruszak weren't far behind with two hits apiece.
After dropping two of three to the Senators, the Fightin Phils will return home from their rough road trip to face the Richmond Flying Squirrels Friday at FirstEnergy Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
Left-hander Jesse Biddle (3-5, 3.14 ERA) will take the mound for Reading.
Clearwater Threshers – Class A-Advanced
The Threshers were handed their fifth consecutive defeat in relative easy fashion at the hands of the Palm Beach Cardinals Thursday by a score of 9-2 at Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, Fla.
The Threshers fell behind the Cardinals due to a rough start from pitcher Miguel Nunez. Nunez last only 4.1 innings where he allowed seven runs on seven hits and walked four batters. Nunez took the loss and his record dropped to 2-4 as a result.
The Threshers didn't fare much better on the offensive end, as they were held off the scoreboard until the top of the seventh inning. Palm Beach starter Silfredo Garcia dominated the Threshers by tossing six scoreless innings where he allowed only five hits and struck out five batters.
Shortstop Roman Quinn accounted for the bulk of the Threshers' offense Thursday, as he went 3-for-5 from the plate with an RBI. Catcher Corey Bass joined Quinn in the multi-hit category, going 2-for-3.
The Threshers will try to halt their current losing streak when they play the Cardinals again at 6:35 p.m. Friday. Lefty Ethan Stewart (2-6, 4.91 ERA) is scheduled to take the mound for Clearwater.
Lakewood BlueClaws – Class A
The BlueClaws have had trouble with the Delmarva Shorebirds all season and Thursday was the latest example of it.
The BlueClaws were shut out by the Shorebirds during a 4-0 loss in the series opener at Perdue Stadium in Salisbury, Md. The BlueClaws are now a mere 1-8 against the Shorebirds this season.
Lakewood was held to only five hits during the contest, four of which came off Delmarva starter Mitchell Horacek. Horacek stymied the BlueClaws by tossing six scoreless innings and striking out six batters.
Despite giving up 13 hits, the Lakewood pitching staff managed to hold the Shorebirds to only four runs. Starter Tyler Viza put forth a solid outing, as he allowed two runs on six hits in four innings on the mound. He also struck out three batters. However, he was handed his seventh loss of the season.
The BlueClaws will attempt to get back on track when they face the Shorebirds again at 7:05 p.m. Friday. Mark Leiter (4-5, 4.69 ERA) is scheduled to get the ball for Lakewood.