Phillies Minor League Report: Zach Eflin has another strong outing for Reading
Here's how the Phillies' minor league teams fared on Sunday, May 17:
Lehigh Valley IronPigs – Triple A
The IronPigs' rally came up just short, as they dropped the rubber match with the Rochester Red Wings by a score of 5-3 Sunday at Frontier Field in Rochester, N.Y.
The IrongPigs and Red Wings were scoreless during the first three innings of the contest, but Lehigh Valley starter David Buchanan suffered a leg injury while fielding a ground ball, which forced him to leave the game on a cart.
With Buchanan off the mound, the proverbial floodgates opened up for the Red Wings, as they plated five runs during the fourth and fifth innings at the expense of Adam Loewen, who took the mound to replace Buchanan.
The IronPigs finally got on the scoreboard during the sixth after an RBI single from Chris d'Arnaud. The IronPigs plated two more runs during the eighth to draw closer to Rochester after a sacrifice fly from Russ Canzler and an RBI single from Brian Bogusevic.
Unfortunately for the IronPigs, that proved to be their last gasp offensively, as Rochester pitcher A.J. Achter prevented them from reaching base during the ninth.
Loewen was dealt the loss after giving up five runs on four hits during 1.2 innings of work.
Offensively, the IronPigs were led by d'Arnaud, who led the team from the plate by finishing 3-for-4. Phillies outfielders Domonic Brown finished 2-for-4 from the plate while Cody Asche went 1-for-4.
The IronPigs will continue their tour of New York at 7:05 p.m. Monday when they take on the Syracuse Chiefs at NBT Bank Stadium in Syracuse, N.Y. Phillippe Aumont (1-1, 1.36 ERA) is scheduled to start for Lehigh Valley.
Reading Fightin Phils – Double-A
A strong performance from pitcher Zach Eflin helped the Fightin Phils take three of four from the Erie SeaWolves Sunday by a score of 2-1 at FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading.
Although the Fightin Phils plated a combined six runs during their three victories over Erie, the pitching staff allowed a meager one combined run.
Eflin continued Reading's pitching dominance over the SeaWolves Sunday with his third eight-inning outing of the season. He picked up his third victory after allowing only one run on four hits. Nick Hill prevented the SeaWolves from reaching base during the ninth in order to secure the victory and his first save of the season.
The Fightin Phils didn't need much offensively with Eflin dealing, but received a spark from Brian Pointer and Gabriel Lino, who each drove in a run.
The Fightin Phils will look to continue their momentum at 6:35 p.m. Monday when they host the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Tom Windle is slated to start for Reading. (0-1, 5.04 ERA).
Clearwater Threshers – Class A-Advanced
Despite three hits from Angelo Mora, the Threshers were unable to complete a three-game sweep of the Daytona Tortugas after falling, 4-2, at Bright House Field in Clearwater, Fla. Sunday.
Mora recorded three of Clearwater's 10 hits and drove in a run, but the Threshers could only muster one more in a game that they were held off the scoreboard until the bottom of the ninth inning.
Chase Harris, who went 2-for-4 on the day, drove in Clearwater's other run. J.P. Crawford finished 2-for-5.
Starter David Whitehead was handed his fourth loss of the season after giving up four runs on seven hits during five innings on the mound.
The Threshers will hit the road Monday, as they will face the Brevard County Manatees at Space Coast Stadium in Melbourne, Fla. First is scheduled for 6:35 p.m. Brandon Leibrandt (3-2, 2.66 ERA) will take the mound for Clearwater.
Lakewood BlueClaws – Class A
Jordan Guerrero and the Kannapolis Intimidators shut down the BlueClaws during a 4-1 loss at CMC-NorthEast Stadium in Kannapolis, N.C.
Guerrero kept BlueClaws scoreless for all six innings he was on the mound and only gave up three of their four hits. Two of Lakewood's four hits came from Joel Fisher, both of which were doubles.
Elniery Garcia posted a solid outing after giving four runs (three earned) on seven hits during five innings of work.
The BlueClaws will stay on the road Monday when they take on the Delmarva Shorebirds at Perdue Stadium in Salisbury, Md. at 7:05 p.m. Ricardo Pinto (3-1, 3.08 ERA) is scheduled to start for Lakewood.