Phillies Minor League Report: Reading's Ken Giles nails down fifth save
Here’s a rundown on how the Phillies’ minor league teams fared on Monday, April 14:
Here's a rundown on how the Phillies' minor league teams fared on Monday, April 14:
Lehigh Valley IronPigs – Triple A
The first game of a four-game series between the IronPigs (4-7) and the Syracuse Chiefs was postponed due to rain.
The teams will play a doubleheader on Tuesday. Lefty Greg Smith (0-0, 5.79 ERA) and righty Barry Enright (0-1, 6.52 ERA) are scheduled to make the starts for Lehigh Valley.
Reading Fightin Phils – Double A
The Fightin Phils got back to their winning ways with a 7-4 victory over the Richmond Flying Squirrels at The Diamond in Richmond, Va.
Reading has now won eight of the last nine games.
In the first two innings, the Fightin Phils jumped out to a 3-0 lead. All three runs were scored with two outs. In the opening frame, first baseman Brock Stassi singled home catcher Tommy Joseph and right fielder Cam Perkins. Third baseman Cesar Hernandez plated shortstop Edgar Duran with a single in the second.
Right-handed starter Severino Gonzalez allowed Richmond to tie the game in the fourth, but the offense handed Gonzalez the win. He was charged with three runs on six hits and three walks while striking out four over five innings. Gonzalez improved to 2-0 on the season with a 2.65 ERA.
In the fifth, Hernandez drew a leadoff walk and center fielder Zach Collier doubled to put two runners in scoring position with no outs. Joseph hit an RBI groundout and Perkins followed with a two-run home run to put Reading up for good.
Four Fightin Phils had multi-hit games: Collier (2-for-5 with a double, two runs scored and a strikeout), Perkins (2-for-5 with a home run, a double, two runs scored, three RBI and a strikeout), Stassi (2-for-4 with a walk and two RBI) and second baseman Albert Cartwright (2-for-4 with a double).
Right-handed closer Ken Giles struck out the side in a perfect ninth for his fifth save. Giles has now struck out 14 batters, gave up one hit and walked two in six innings of work.
The win lifted the Fightin Phils to 8-3 on the season. The series continues Tuesday as Reading gives the ball to righty Brody Colvin (0-0, 0.00 ERA).
Clearwater Threshers – Class A-Advanced
The Threshers faltered late and fell to the Tampa Yankees, 6-5, in walk-off fashion at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla.
The loss was Clearwater's ninth straight defeat.
The Threshers sprayed 15 hits in the game and enjoyed a 5-1 lead in the fourth inning, but the bullpen couldn't secure the win.
The offense was led by left fielder Peter Lavin (3-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI) and first baseman Art Charles (3-for-3 with two RBI and a walk).
Left-handed starter Ethan Stewart (0-1, 1.08 ERA) labored, but gave Clearwater a chance to win. He allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits and six walks while striking out three. Stewart settled for a no-decision.
Tied at 5-5 in the ninth, Righty Jordan Guth allowed three hits and an intentional walk to take the loss.
Designated hitter Brian Pointer (2-for-3 with a triple, two runs scored, two walks and a strikeout) and second baseman Angelo Mora (2-for-4 with a double) also had multi-hit games for Clearwater.
The Threshers fell to 1-10 on the season. Righty Jon Prosinski (0-2, 5.91 ERA) takes the bump for Clearwater as the teams continue the series Tuesday.
Lakewood BlueClaws – Class A
The BlueClaws snapped a seven-game losing streak with a 7-5 win over the Greensboro Grasshoppers at FirstEnergy Park in Lakewood, N.J.
Right-handed starting pitcher Mark Leiter (2-1, 3.00 ERA) gave up four runs, seven hits and a walk while striking out eight in six innings. He left the game with the score tied at 4-4, but the offense gave Leiter the win.
The BlueClaws' first two batters combined for six hits and four runs to fuel the win. Shortstop J.P. Crawford (2-for-4 with three runs scored, an RBI, a walk, a stolen base and a strikeout) and center fielder Carlos Tocci (4-for-5 with a run scored, an RBI, a stolen base and a strikeout) set the tone for Lakewood.
First baseman Willians Astudillo homered in the second inning to remain the team leader in RBI with eight.
The BlueClaws improved to 3-8. The series continues Tuesday with Lakewood turning to righty Tyler Viza (0-2, 6.30 ERA) to make the start.