Phillies Minor League Report: Tom Cochran pitches five no-hit innings in Lehigh Valley win
Here's a rundown on how the Phillies' minor league teams fared on Saturday, May 25:
Lehigh Valley IronPigs – Triple A
Behind five hitless innings from pitcher Tom Cochran, the IronPigs continue to roll as they defeated the Norfolk Tides, 4-2, at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown.
The IronPigs used two eighth-inning runs to push their current winning streak to five games. The last time the IronPigs had a winning streak of five games was May of 2012.
Cochran didn't pick up the decision, but had a strong outing. He gave up only two runs on two hits and struck out six batters.
J.C. Ramirez (1-1) was given the victory after pitching 1 1/3, striking out three batters.
The game's first run wasn't scored until the bottom of the fourth inning when first baseman Cody Overbeck crossed the plate after an RBI single from center fielder Leandro Castro.
The IronPigs increased their lead to 2-0 in the fifth inning after left fielder Pete Orr came across the plate.
The Tides knotted the game up in the sixth thanks to a two-out RBI from shortstop Brandon Wood.
Lehigh Valley took the lead for good in the eighth when designated hitter Josh Fields and Castro ccrossed the plate due to some defensive mishaps from the Tides.
Castro led the IronPigs from the plate, going 3-for-4. Castro was the only IronPig to be credited with an RBI on the night.
Fields recorded another hit Saturday, but his multi-hit streak came to an end as he went 1-for-4 from the plate.
All but three IronPigs who had an at-bat recorded a hit. One of the three hitless IronPigs was third baseman Cody Asche who went 0-for-4. Darin Ruf was not in the lineup Saturday.
The IronPigs will look to complete a four-game sweep for the Tides at 1:35 p.m. Sunday. Right-hander Zach Miner (2-3, 5.87 ERA) is scheduled to start for the IronPigs.
Reading Fightin Phils – Double A
Good pitching and some timely hitting led to a 5-1 victory for the Fightin Phils over the Harrisburg Senators at Metro Bank Park in Harrisburg.
The win for the Fightin Phils snapped a three-game losing streak and a four-game one to the Senators.
The Fightin Phils gave up the Senators' lone run in the first inning and prevented them from crossing the plate for the next eight. This was due to good pitching from three members of the Reading staff.
Starter Seth Rosin (3-3) picked up the victory after throwing six innings. He gave up five hits, but struck out five batters. Kyle Simon and Mike Nesseth relieved Rosin and pitched a combined three innings. They gave up only one hit between the two of them.
The productive pitching took pressure off the Reading offense, which did what was necessary to come away with a much-needed victory.
Leading the way for Reading was right fielder Tyson Gillies who hit his first homer of the season during the fifth inning. He led the Fightin Phils with two RBIs.
Catcher Cameron Rupp (2-for-4) and left fielder Tyler Henson (2-for-5) was the only Fightin Phils to record multiple hits.
First baseman Jim Murphy had a tough night at the plate, going 0-for-5.
Both teams combined for six errors Saturday night with the Senators committing four.
The Fightin Phils will play the third game of their three-game set with the Senators at 6:30 p.m. Sunday. Jesse Biddle (3-3, 2.50) will take the mound for Reading.
Clearwater Threshers – Class A-Advanced
The Threshers' slide continued Saturday after a 3-2 loss to the Brevard County Manatees at Space Coast Stadium in Melbourne, Fla.
The Threshers fell to the Brevard County Manatees, 5-4, Friday night at Space Coast Stadium in Melbourne, Fla.
The Threshers have now lost three in a row and seven out of the last nine overall.
Strong pitching from the Manatees and struggling with runners in scoring position contributed to the Threshers' most recent loss.
Brevard County starter David Goforth pitched seven innings against the Threshers, striking out seven batters. The Threshers recorded eight hits, however, but went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position. The Threshers left six runners on base.
Left fielder Cameron Perkins and shortstop Jonathan Roof each recorded multiple hits for the Threshers. Roof also drove in a run.
Third baseman Maikel Franco (1-for-4) hit his 10th homer of the season during the third inning. On the flip side, right fielder Kelly Dugan went hitless again Saturday and is now without a hit in his last eight at-bats.
Starting pitcher Mario Hollins gave up six hits (including a home run) in 5 1/3 innings of work. He did strike out eight batters, however.
Ryan O'Sullivan (2-3) was dealt the loss after throwing 3 1/3, giving up one earned and striking out two batters.
The Threshers will look to avoid being swept by the Manatees at 5:05 p.m. Sunday. Right-hander Gabriel Arias (5-2, 2.22 ERA) is scheduled to start for Clearwater.
Lakewood BlueClaws – Class A
The West Virginia Power continue to have the BlueClaws' number this season as they defeated the BlueClaws, 2-1, at Appalachian Power Park in Charleston, W. Va.
The BlueClaws have yet to defeat the Power this season and have lost four games in a row.
In the first three games of the BlueClaws' four-game series against the Power, the BlueClaws have scored a combined five runs. The BlueClaws mustered only six hits and went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position.
The BlueClaws got off to a good start, however, as designated hitter Justin Dalles drove in the teams' lone run in the top of the first inning. The Power tied the game in the bottom half of the inning.
One more run in the fifth inning was all the Power needed to pick up the win.
Starter Jonathan Musser (1-1) was handed the loss after going five innings. He gave up six hits and both of the West Virginia runs.
Geoff Broussard and Delvi Francisco kept the Power off the scoreboard, but the lack of run support doomed the BlueClaws when it was all said and done.
The BlueClaws will look to wake up the bats when they play the series-finale against the Power at 2:05 p.m. Sunday. Shane Watson (3-3, 4.71 ERA) will take the hill for the BliueClaws.