Phillies Minor League Report: Cesar Hernandez commits error playing center field at Reading

Here's how the Phillies' minor-league teams fared on Monday, July 15:

Lehigh Valley IronPigs – Triple A

The IronPigs (50-48) were idle as it was the first day of the three-day All-Star break.

Third baseman Cody Asche and second baseman Cesar Hernandez are scheduled to represent Lehigh Valley in the All-Star Game on Wednesday. However, Hernandez was sent down to Double A Reading to play center field Tuesday.

The season will resume Thursday with the first game of a four-game series against the Columbus Clippers at Coca-Cola Park.

Reading Fightin Phils – Double A

The Fightin Phils blew a late lead and lost to the Trenton Thunder, 6-5, at FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading, Pa.

Reading led from the jump after a three-run first. First baseman Jim Murphy hit an RBI double with two outs to score third baseman Maikel Franco, who reached on a fielder's choice. Right fielder Kelly Dugan finished the inning with a two-run blast to right to make the score 3-0.

Trenton scored a run in the second, but Reading got the run back in the fourth. The Fightin Phils again scored runs with two outs. Shortstop Troy Hanzawa doubled and scored on left fielder Derrick Mitchell's RBI single.

Left-handed starter Austin Wright completed five innings and left with the lead, but not before serving a two-run home run to Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, who is currently rehabbing for a return to the majors. Rodriguez went 2-for-4 in the game.

Wright allowed three runs on five hits and three walks over five innings.

The Fightin Phils took a 4-3 lead into the ninth inning and turned the game over to righty Mike Nesseth to close out the game. However, Nesseth blew the save and allowed three runs to take the loss.

Reading scored a run and got the tying run to third in the ninth, but couldn't battle all the way back. Center fielder Cesar Hernandez had the ninth-inning RBI single.

Hernandez finished 2-for-4 with a strikeout and a walk, but also committed a fielding error in center. Hernandez went down to Reading to play center field during the Triple A All-Star break. The Phillies may want him to play that position in the majors.

The Fightin Phils fell to 38-55. The series continues Tuesday as Reading will send right-hander Seth Rosin (6-4, 4.13 ERA) to the mound.

Clearwater Threshers – Class A-Advanced

The Threshers were shut out by the Charlotte Stone Crabs, 11-0, at Bright House Field in Clearwater, Fla.

Left-handed starter Ethan Stewart (0-4, 7.56 ERA) was burned for seven runs on five hits and six walks over 4 1/3 innings to suffer the loss. He allowed two home runs.

Third baseman Matt Tolbert (2-for-3) and catcher Logan Moore (1-for-3) were the only Threshers batters to notch base hits.

Center fielder Jiwan James (two strikeouts), right fielder Cameron Perkins (two strikeouts), designated hitter Chris Serritella (three strikeouts) and left fielder Aaron Altherr (two strikeouts) all went 0-for-4.

The loss dropped the Threshers to 46-44. Clearwater has an off day Tuesday before starting a four-game series with the Bradenton Marauders on Wednesday.

Lakewood BlueClaws – Class A

The BlueClaws were blanked by the Hickory Crawdads, 3-0, at FirstEnergy Park in Lakewood Township, N.J.

Lakewood committed four errors that led to all the Hickory runs.

Right-handed starter Nic Hanson (2-2, 2.95 ERA) allowed three unearned runs on eight hits while striking out four over six innings. He was the tough-luck loser.

The BlueClaws only managed four hits. Right fielder Jonathan Roof (1-for-4), designated hitter Willie Carmona (1-for-3), second baseman Alejandro Villalobos (1-for-3) and shortstop Angelo Mora (1-for-3) all singled.

The BlueClaws fell to 37-55. Lakewood is idle Tuesday and will begin a three-game set against the Augusta GreenJackets on Wednesday,

Williamsport Crosscutters - Class A-Short Season

The Crosscutters lost to the Aberdeen IronBirds, 3-1, at Ripken Stadium in Aberdeen, Md.

In the first inning, Williamsport struck first. Designated hitter Andrew Knapp doubled home second baseman Jairo Cardozo, who reach on a fielder's choice, to take a 1-0 lead. However, that's the only run they could produce.

Right-handed starter Julio Reyes went five innings in a strong outing, but allowed an unearned run in his last inning of work. He finished with three hits allowed, didn't walk any and struck out three.

Right-handed relievers Chris Nichols and Tyler Buckley each allowed a run in the seventh and eighth innings, respectively, in the loss.

Center fielder Jiandido Tromp and Knapp had multi-hit games. Both went to 2-for-4.

The Crosscutters are now 15-12 after taking two of three from Aberdeen. After an off day, Williamsport opens a three-game series with the Hudson Valley Renegades on Wednesday.

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