Phillies Minor League Report: Maikel Franco's heroics lift IronPigs to victory
/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-pmn.s3.amazonaws.com/public/2LGSIN3LWZHM5P2XKSCV5YGLPI.jpg)
Here's how the Phillies' minor league teams fared on Monday, May 11:
Lehigh Valley IronPigs – Triple A
Just like he has all season long for the IronPigs, Maikel Franco came through when they needed him most Tuesday.
Franco hit a walk-off single that capped off a Lehigh Valley rally and ended the team's three-game losing streak with a 6-5 victory over the Columbus Clippers Coca-Cola Park in Allentown.
With the IronPigs trailing, 5-4, Franco walked to the plate with the bases loaded. He then hit a sharp line drive to center field for his second hit of the night and his third RBI of the game.
Franco is now batting .346 in Lehigh Valley and upped his RBI total to 22 on the season. The Phillies are expected to call him up some time this week.
Outside of Franco's heroics, the IronPigs did bulk of their damage during the fifth when they plated four runs, which helped them climb out of a three-run hole to take the lead.
Lehigh Valley's runs came courtesy of RBI hits from Domonic Brown and Jordan Danks. Brown was one of four IronPigs to record two hits during the contest.
The Lehigh Valley pitching staff was knocked around Tuesday to the tune of 11 hits, 10 of which came at the expense of starter David Buchanan. Buchanan allowed five runs (three earned) during 6.2 innings of work. He did not pick up the decision.
The victory went to Cesar Jimenez, who allowed one hit and two walks during the ninth.
The rubber match between the IronPigs and the Clippers is set for 10:35 a.m. Wednesday. Phillippe Aumont (1-1, 1.73 ERA) is scheduled to start for Lehigh Valley.
Reading Fightin Phils – Double-A
A rough outing for starting pitcher Zach Eflin contributed to the Fightin Phils falling to the Harrisburg Senators for the second day in a row, 4-1, at Metro Bank Park in Harrisburg Tuesday.
Eflin was dealt his third loss of the season after coughing up four runs on nine hits during six innings on the mound.
Reading's lone run came during the first inning thanks to an RBI hit from Brock Stassi. Stassi was one of three Fightin Phils to hit 2-for-4 (Roman Quinn and Brodie Greene).
The Fightin Phils will look to salvage a win in their series against Harrisburg at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. Tom Windle (0-1, 5.33 ERA) is slated to start for Reading.
Clearwater Threshers – Class A-Advanced
Despite recording 11 hits, the Threshers fell to the Charlotte Stone Crabs by a score of 8-2 Tuesday at Bright House Field in Clearwater, Fla.
The Threshers and the Stone Crabs were scheduled to take part in a doubleheader, but Game 2 of the twin bill was postponed due to rain. It has been pushed back to Wednesday for yet another doubleheader.
In the game that was actually played Tuesday, the Threshers boasted four players that recorded two hits, including Dylan Cozens and Chase Harris, who drove in both of the team's runs.
However, those runs came during the fifth and sixth innings and when the Threshers were trailing by seven runs.
The Stone Crabs battered Clearwater starter David Whitehead, as he gave up seven runs (four earned) on eight hits during five innings of work. He took the loss, which dropped his record to 2-4 on the year.
The Threshers' doubleheader with Charlotte is currently scheduled to start at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday. Yacksel Rios (0-1, 7.36 ERA) and Brandon Leibrandt (3-1, 1.85 ERA).
Lakewood BlueClaws – Class A
After not scoring a run for 26 consecutive innings, the BlueClaws have exploded offensively in their last two games.
On Tuesday, the BlueClaws victimized the Asheville Tourists again during a 9-5 victory at FirstEnergy Park in Lakewood Township, N.J.
During their last two outings, the BlueClaws have recorded 23 hits and have plated 17 runs. Leading the way in both games was Rhys Hoskins, who went 3-for-5 with a homer, four RBI and was a double away from hitting for the cycle.
Hoskins has gone a combined 6-for-8 from the plate in the last two games with six RBI. He is now hitting .331 on the season. His homer Tuesday was his fifth of the year.
Herlis Rodriguez also hit a homer, as he finished 2-for-4 on the night.
Starting pitcher Josh Taylor picked up his second victory of the season after giving up two runs on four hits during five innings of work.
The only thing that can stop the BlueClaws at this point is a day off and that's what they will receive Wednesday. They will return to the field at 7:05 p.m. Thursday to take on the Kannapolis Intimidators at CMC-NorthEast Stadium in Kannapolis, N.C. Tyler Viza (3-1, 3.29 ERA) is scheduled to start for Lakewood.