Phillies Minor League Report: Zach Eflin posts strong outing in defeat
Here's how the Phillies' minor league teams fared on Monday, June 1:
Lehigh Valley IronPigs – Triple A
The IronPigs enjoyed a day off Monday, but will be back on the field at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday when they host the first-place Rochester Red Wings at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown. Joely Rodriguez (2-4, 5.27 ERA) is scheduled to start for Lehigh Valley.
Reading Fightin Phils – Double-A
Despite a strong outing from starting pitcher Zach Eflin, the Fightin Phils were forced to settle for a four-game split with the Richmond Flying Squirrels by way of a 5-3 loss Monday at FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading.
Eflin and Richmond pitcher Matt Lujan engaged in a pitcher's duel by holding the other team of the scoreboard for the first six innings.
Eflin was the first let up, however, as he allowed two runs during the seventh inning. The Fightin Phils answered by plating a run off Lujan during the bottom half of the frame.
The pitcher's duel that took over the game during the first six innings soon went out the window, as both teams plated at least one run in each of the final three innings.
Unfortunately for Reading, they couldn't keep up, as Colton Murray coughed up three runs on five hits in only two innings of work.
Eflin was dealt the loss after allowing only two runs on two hits in seven innings. His record now sits at 4-4.
Offensively, the Fightin Phils recorded 10 hits Monday. Roman Quinn, J.P. Crawford and Harold Martinez all put up two apiece. Brock Stassi drove in a run, which was 41st of the campaign.
After splitting with Richmond, the Fightin Phils will travel to Erie to open a three-game series with the Erie SeaWolves, starting at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday at Jerry Uht Park. Tom Windle (1-3, 4.53 ERA) is scheduled to start for Reading.
Clearwater Threshers – Class A-Advanced
After an offensive explosion from the Threshers Sunday, they were held to a more pedestrian outing Monday during a 7-4 loss to the Daytona Tortugas at Jackie Robinson Park in Daytona Beach, Fla.
The Threshers were held to a more modest nine hits Monday, 13 less than what they racked up the night before. The red-hot Angelo Mora led the way, as he went 3-for-5 and drove in a run.
Mora has now recorded a hit a six consecutive games and went 9-for-13 during the three games against Daytona.
Chace Numata and Devin Lohman weren't too far behind Mora, as they each put up two hits. What didn't help the Threshers was going 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position and leaving eight runners stranded on base.
Even worse was the rough start from pitcher Victor Arano. Arano lasted 4.2 innings where he coughed up five runs on seven hits on his way to falling to 0-6 to start the season.
After dropping two of three to Daytona, the Threshers return home to Bright House Field to take on the Dunedin Blue Jays at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Mark Leiter (3-1, 1.48 ERA) is slated to start for Clearwater.
Lakewood BlueClaws – Class A
Three runs between the fifth and sixth innings helped the BlueClaws rally from behind to defeat the Delmarva Shorebirds Monday in a game that was cut short after seven innings due to rain at Perdue Stadium in Salisbury, Md.
The BlueClaws entered the fifth trailing, 2-1, when Malquin Canelo hit a double to center field that plated Grenny Cumana to tie the game.
The BlueClaws broke that tie during the sixth when they received a pair of RBI doubles from Derek Campbell and Cumana.
Joey DeNato came on in the seventh and secured the victory for his first save of the season. Starter Tyler Viza improved his record to 4-2 after allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits during six innings on the mound.
Canelo and Cumana led the BlueClaws offensively as they went 2-for-4 and 2-for-3 respectively.
The BlueClaws will try to clinch a series victory over the Shorebirds when they play again at 7:05 p.m. Tuesday. Ranfi Casimiro (2-3, 2.96 ERA) will start for Lakewood.