Phillies Minor League Report: Maikel Franco homers during Lehigh Valley win
Here's a rundown on how the Phillies' minor league teams fared on Thursday, May 1:
Lehigh Valley IronPigs – Triple A
The IronPigs didn't need any batting practice to record 12 hits and plate seven runs during a 7-5 win over the Gwinnett Braves Thursday at Coolray Field in Lawrenceville, Ga.
Flight cancellations and delays pushed the IronPigs' arrival time in Lawrenceville back to the point that the team didn't have enough time to stage a batting practice before the game.
That didn't stop the IronPigs from recording two hits in the first inning, including an RBI-double from second baseman Reid Brignac that plated right fielder Clete Thomas for the game's first run.
After the Braves tied the game during the second inning, the IronPigs used a four-run third inning to take a 5-1 lead.
The inning began with back-to-back singles from pitcher Sean O'Sullivan and Thomas. A sacrifice bunt from left fielder Leandro Castro allowed Sullivan to advance to third and Thomas to advance to second.
Third baseman Maikel Franco then stepped to the plate and hit a single to left field that plated both Sullivan and Thomas. After a single from Brignac, Koyie Hill hit another single that plated Franco. First baseman Jim Murphy then rounded out the scoring with an RBI-double to left field that allowed Brignac to cross the plate for the final run of the inning.
Although the Braves outscored the IronPigs, 4-2, the rest of the way, they held on to snap the team's two-game losing streak.
Franco and Brignac led the way offensively for the IronPigs, as they both finished 3-for-5 from the plate. Franco also hit his second home run of the season during the seventh inning. Brignac recorded two doubles.
Hill and Thomas weren't far behind, as they both finished 2-for-4. Hill drove in two runs.
Although he helped his own cause with a hit, O'Sullivan had sort of a shaky outing Thursday, giving up four runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings of work. He did manage to pick up the victory, which improved his record to 1-2. His ERA is now 4.50.
Luis Garcia secured the win in the ninth and earned his fourth save of the season in the process.
The IronPigs will continue their four-game series against the Braves at 7:05 p.m. Friday. Jonathan Pettibone (1-0, 4.09 ERA) will get the start.
Reading Fightin Phils – Double A
The Fightin Phils were scheduled to finish a four-game series with the Portland Sea Dogs Thursday, but the game was postponed due to rain at Hadlock Field in Portland, Maine.
The game was rescheduled Tuesday, July 29.
The Fightin Phils will begin a three-game set with the Harrisburg Senators at FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading at 7:05 p.m. Friday.
Hoby Milner (0-1 3.95 ERA) will get the start for Reading.
Clearwater Threshers – Class A-Advanced
The Threshers received an impromptu day off Thursday, as their game against the Daytona Cubs was postponed due to rain at Jackie Robinson Ballpark in Daytona Beach, Fla.
The day of rest was a much-needed one for Threshers, as they are in the midst of a six-game losing streak, which included a 20-0 loss Tuesday.
The Threshers and the Cubs will now have a doubleheader Friday with Game 1 scheduled to start at 5:05 p.m.
Brody Colvin (0-1, 6.00 ERA) will take the hill for Game 1 and Miguel Nunez (1-2, 5.46 ERA) is scheduled to start Game 2.
Lakewood BlueClaws – Class A
The BlueClaws pushed their win streak to five games after sweeping the Lexington Legends in Thursday's double by scores of 3-1 and 10-5, and in the three-game series at Whitaker Bank Ballpark in Lexington, Ky.
The BlueClaws mustered only four in Game 1, but a strong performance from pitcher Drew Anderson led the team to victory.
Anderson tossed 5 2/3 innings where he allowed a mere one runs on four hits. Ulises Joaquin shut the door on the Legends during the seventh to pick up his first save of the season.
Catcher Deivi Grullon led the BlueClaws offensively with a two-run home run during the third inning. He finished the contest 1-for-2 from the plate.
The BlueClaws got the offense during Game 2 by scoring four runs during the second and five more during the fifth.
The biggest highlight for Lakewood was a three-run homer from third baseman Jan Hernandez (1-for-2) during the fifth inning. Shortstop J.P. Crawford (2-for-5) tied Hernandez for the team high in RBI with three.
The five-game winning streak is Lakewood's first since July 6-10 of 2013. The 10 runs was a season high.
The BlueClaws will attempt to continue their hot streak at 7:05 p.m. Friday when they travel to McCormick Field in Asheville, N.C. to take on the Asheville Tourists.
Mark Leiter (3-1, 1.97 ERA) is scheduled to start for Lakewood.