Phillies Minor League Report: Severino Gonzalez went seven strong as Reading snapped a losing skid
Here’s a rundown on how the Phillies’ minor league teams fared on Wednesday, April 30:
Here's a rundown on how the Phillies' minor league teams fared on Wednesday, April 30:
Lehigh Valley IronPigs – Triple A
The IronPigs (11-14) were idle on Wednesday.
Lehigh Valley is tied for last place in the North division of the International League.
The IronPigs will travel to face the Gwinnett Braves for a four-game series. A starting pitcher has not been announced yet for the series opener on Thursday.
Reading Fightin Phils – Double A
The Fightin Phils snapped a five-game losing streak with a 3-2 win over the Portland Sea Dogs at Hadlock Field in Portland, Maine.
Right-handed starter Severino Gonzalez (3-1, 3.67 ERA) served up a first-inning run, but was nearly flawless in the rest of his outing and took the win. Gonzalez allowed only that run on five hits and two walks while striking out five in seven innings.
The Fightin Phils were held scoreless for six innings, but finally broke though in the seventh. First baseman Brock Stassi hit a one-out single and scored two batters later on an RBI single from left fielder Albert Cartwright to tie the game at one apiece.
In the seventh, Reading was gifted a run without a hit. Third baseman Carlos Alonso reached on an error to lead off the inning and eventually came home to score on center fielder Aaron Altherr's RBI groundout to take a 2-1 lead.
The Fightin Phils added a much-needed insurance run in the eighth. Stassi hit a lead-off single and moved to third on two sacrifice bunts. Alonso delivered a two-out RBI single for a 3-1 lead.
Righty Ken Giles was called upon to close out the game in the ninth. A lead-off walk came around to score, but Giles was able to notch his seventh save.
The Fightin Phils went back above .500 at 12-11 on the season. The four-game series concludes Thursday as Reading sends southpaw Hoby Milner (0-1, 3.95 ERA) to the mound.
Clearwater Threshers – Class A-Advanced
The Threshers dropped their sixth straight game in a 7-6 loss to the Brevard County Manatees in 11 innings at Bright House Field in Clearwater, Fla.
Clearwater took a quick lead in the first with a two-out rally. Center fielder Peter Lavin singled and scored on third baseman Harold Martinez's double to make the score 1-0.
Brevard County tied the game in the second off right-handed starter Colin Kleven, who gave up only one run on five hits and a walk in 3 2/3 innings.
The Manatees would break the tie with a five-run sixth, but the Threshers started to chip away in the bottom half of the inning.
Right fielder Brian Pointer led off with an inside-the-park home run. Second baseman Angelo Mora reached on an error ahead of back-to-back singles by shortstop KC Serna and Lavin for another run. Martinez cleared the bases with a double play ball for the third run in the inning to cut the deficit to 6-4.
The Threshers were able to knot the game at six apiece in the eighth inning. Serna doubled to set up Martinez's two-out, two-run home run that sent the game to extra innings.
In the 11th, righty Colton Murray surrendered a one-out walk, which turned into the game-winning run, and suffered the loss.
The Threshers' 2-3-4 hitters starred in the loss: Serna (2-for-5 with a double, two runs scored and a strikeout), Lavin (2-for-5 with a run scored and an RBI) and Martinez (2-for-5 with a home run, a double, a run scored, three RBI and a strikeout).
The Threshers fell to 5-21 and remain in last place in the Florida State League. Clearwater will try to right the ship in a three-game set with the Daytona Cubs, beginning Thursday. Righty Brody Colvin (0-1, 6.00 ERA) is slated to start the opener.
Lakewood BlueClaws – Class A
The BlueClaws' game against the Lexington Legends was postponed due to rain. The teams will now play a doubleheader on Thursday to complete the series. Righties Drew Anderson (0-1, 7.20 ERA) and Ranfi Casimiro (0-3, 9.00 ERA) will make the starts.