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Phillies Minor League Report: Reading inches closer to playoff berth

Here's how the Phillies' minor-league teams fared on Sunday, Aug. 30:

Lehigh Valley IronPigs (61-75) – Triple A

The Lehigh Valley pitching staff shut down the Syracuse Chiefs during a 3-1 victory at NBT Bank Stadium in Syracuse, N.Y.

Sean O'Sullivan (4-2, 3.58 ERA) led the way by striking out five and allowing only one run on one hit in six innings. Colton Murray pitched two no-hit frames in relief and Dustin McGowan gave up only one hit for his 14th save.

The IronPigs compiled only seven hits and went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position, but received a solo home run from Russ Canzler in the ninth. They also received RBI hits from Tyler Henson and Tommy Joseph.

The IronPigs will look for a series victory over Syracuse at 7:05 p.m. Monday. Anthony Vasquez (7-7, 4.12 ERA) is scheduled to start for Lehigh Valley.

Reading Fightin Phils (77-56) – Double-A

The Fightin Phils fended off a late rally from the Bowie Baysox to earn a 9-8 victory at FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading. With the win, the Fightin Phils' magic number to clinch a postseason berth dropped to two.

The Fightin Phils held a 9-5 lead entering the ninth, but Stephen Shackleford allowed three runs to make things interesting. Shackleford found his way out of trouble to secure the win.

Zach Eflin (8-6, 3.58 ERA) gave up four runs in the first, but picked up the decision after he allowed five runs on nine hits in five innings.

The Fightin Phils raced to a comfortable lead thanks to a stellar outing at the plate from Angelo Mora. Mora went 3-for-3 with a two-run homer in the third inning. The Fightin Phils scored five runs in the third.

Brodie Greene and Dylan Cozens each went 2-for-4. Green drove in three runs, and Cozens knocked in two.

After taking three of four from Bowie, the Fightin Phils will stay at home and open a very important four-game series against the Binghamton Mets. The Fightin Phils hold a four-game lead over the Mets (73-60) in the Eastern League's Eastern Division.

Jake Thompson (3-1, 1.97 ERA) is slated to start for Reading.

Clearwater Threshers (75-56) – Class A Advanced

The Threshers were scheduled to begin a three-game series against the Daytona Tortugas, but the game was cancelled because of rain at Bright House Field in Clearwater, Fla.

The Threshers are still scheduled to go against the Tortugas again at 5:05 p.m. Monday. Matt Imhof (7-4, 4.00 ERA) will start for Clearwater.

Lakewood BlueClaws (68-62) – Class A

The BlueClaws looked to be losing an eight-run lead, but were rescued by a grand slam from Deivi Grullon during a 15-8 win over the Greensboro Grasshoppers at NewBridge Bank Park in Greensboro, N.C.

The BlueClaws entered the bottom of the seventh with a 11-0 lead after posting seven runs in the top of the frame. Unfortunately for Lakewood, Ranfi Casimiro let in four runs in the seventh and Zach Morris gave up four more in the eighth, cutting the advantage to 11-8.

Grullon stepped to the plate with the bases loaded in the ninth and hit his seventh home run of the season to put the game away. Grullon finished the game 4-for-6 with six RBI. He has 45 RBI.

Emmanuel Marrero drove in three runs, and Jose Mayorga knocked in two. Damek Tomscha hit a homer, his seventh of the season, in the sixth inning.

Drew Stankiewicz also contributed at the plate, going 5-for-6. The BlueClaws compiled 18 hits.

Despite giving up four runs in the seventh, Casimiro (4-6, 4.35 ERA) gained the decision after allowing five hits in 6 2/3 innings. He struck out seven.

The BlueClaws will take on the Grasshoppers again at 7 p.m. Monday. Austin Davis (4-5, 3.48 ERA) is scheduled to start for Lakewood.

Williamsport Crosscutters (43-25) – Class A-Short Season

The Auburn Doubledays shut down the Crosscutters during a 4-0 victory at Falcon Park in Auburn, N.Y.

The Crosscutters were held to four hits, two coming from Dylan Bosheers. Luke Leftwich (2-2, 2.95 ERA) allowed three runs (one earned) on eight hits in four innings.

The Crosscutters will face the Doubledays again at 7:05 p.m. Monday with playoff implications on the line. The Crosscutters can clinch their first playoff berth since 2005 with a victory over the Doubledays and a loss by the West Virginia Black Bears (36-32).

Tyler Gilbert (4-3, 2.79 ERA) is slated to start for Williamsport.