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Phillies Minor League Report: Jesse Biddle struggles in Reading's loss

Here’s a rundown on how the Phillies’ minor league teams fared on Sunday, April 13:

Here's a rundown on how the Phillies' minor league teams fared on Sunday, April 13:

Lehigh Valley IronPigs – Triple A

The IronPigs avoided a sweep with a 3-2 win over the Rochester Red Wings at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, Pa.

In the bottom of the first, center fielder Clete Thomas drew a walk and second baseman Andres Blanco doubled to kick things off right for Lehigh Valley. Thomas would score on a wild pitch and Blanco was brought home on catcher Cameron Rupp's two-out double for an early 2-0 lead.

Another two-out RBI double, this time from Thomas, in the second inning gave the IronPigs a 3-0 lead and all the runs they would need in the game. It was fortunate as the IronPigs only managed two more hits the rest of the game.

Thomas finished the game 2-for-2 with a double, an RBI, a run scored and two walks,

Right-handed starter David Buchanan threw a perfect first, but was removed from the game as a precaution in case he needs to start the Phillies' game against the Braves on Wednesday. A.J. Burnett will see a doctor for an examination on Monday.

Recently-demoted righty Brad Lincoln relieved Buchanan and earned the win in his IronPigs' debut. Lincoln pitched four scoreless innings, allowed three hits and struck out four.

The IronPigs (4-7) wrapped up an eight-game homestand with a 2-6 record. Lehigh Valley will now embark on an eight-game road trip. Southpaw Greg Smith (0-0, 5.79 ERA) is slated to start an opening game of a four-game series with the Syracuse Chiefs on Monday.

Reading Fightin Phils – Double A

The FIghtin Phils' seven-game winning streak came to an end with a 9-3 loss to the Harrisburg Senators at Metro Bank Park in Harrisburg, Pa.

Left-handed starter Jesse Biddle (0-2, 5.02 ERA) was sloppy and took the loss in his third start of the season. He allowed three unearned runs on four hits, two walks and a hit batsman over four innings of work. Those unearned runs were aided by Biddle's three errors, a wild pitch and a balk.

Third baseman Cesar Hernandez (3-for-5 with a run scored and a strikeout), left fielder Cam Perkins (2-for-5 with a double, a run scored, an RBI and a strikeout) and catcher Tommy Joseph (2-for-3 with a double and two RBI) had multi-hit games for Reading.

The loss dropped the Fightin Phils' record to 7-3 on the season. Reading will travel to face the Richmond Flying Squirrels on Monday. A starting pitcher has not been announced yet.

Clearwater Threshers – Class A-Advanced

The Threshers (1-9) were blanked by the Lakeland Flying Tigers, 3-0, at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Fla. The loss extended Clearwater's losing streak to eight games.

The Threshers couldn't get anything going offensively and were held to three hits. Center fielder Peter Lavin, third baseman Harold Martinez and designated hitter Brian Pointer all went 1-for-3 in the game.

Righty Colin Kleven (0-3, 8.80 ERA) took the loss for Clearwater. He surrendered three runs on seven hits over 6 1/3 innings, striking out four.

The Threshers will begin a three-game road series with the Tampa Yankees on Monday. Clearwater will hand the ball to lefty Ethan Stewart (0-1, 0.00 ERA).

Lakewood BlueClaws – Class A

The BlueClaws dropped their seventh straight game in a 6-1 loss to the Hagerstown Suns at FirstEnergy Park in Lakewood, N.J.

Right-handed starter Shane Martin (0-2, 7.36 ERA) was pounded for six runs on 10 hits while striking out two over six innings to suffer the loss.

Lakewood couldn't muster any offense and recorded only three hits, all singles. Designated hitter Wilmer Oberto led off the fifth with a walk and scored on a double-play ball for the BlueClaws' only run.

The BlueClaws (2-8) will try to snap their losing streak on Monday when the Greensboro Grasshoppers come to begin a three-game set. Righty Mark Leiter (1-1, 1.50 ERA) will take the hill for Lakewood.

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