Cornelius Randolph stays hot, Jorge Alfaro debuts for GCL Phillies; Double-A Reading wins again

The season is winding down in the minor leagues and plenty of the Phillies minor league clubs are fighting for a spot in the playoffs, with Advanced 'A' Clearwater having already clinched. With a farm system filled with new prospects along with home grown talent, this year in the Phillies organization, fans have been treated to quite a treat, especially in Double-A Reading. As the season comes to a close, we will be recapping minor league action regularly, so let's get started at the top.

Triple-A: Lehigh Valley Ironpigs (60-73) split twin-bill with Railriders (74-59)

Jesse Biddle's (2-4, 6.25) Triple-A struggles continued on Thursday evening in game one of the doubleheader against Scranton Wilkes-Barre. The former first rounder gave up five runs on 10 hits in 4 2/3 innings of work. Second baseman Tyler Pastornicky, whom the Phillies picked up from the Rangers, went 2-for-3 at the plate, as the Ironpigs were shutout 5-0. Game two was a different story, with Lehigh Valley coming out on top, 6-1. Jordan Danks went 2-for-3 with a two-run homer and three RBI's. to lead the Pigs offense. Brian Bogusevic also drove in two runs. Chris Leroux got the win, pitching three innings of one run ball in relief of Jason Berken, who tossed four shutout innings to start the game. Severino Gonzalez (2-5, 4.40) takes the hill tonight for Lehigh Valley after Alec Asher was scratched. He could join the Phillies soon.

Double-A: Brock Stassi's two homers lead Reading Fightin Phils (75-55) past the Bowie Baysox (74-56) in extras, magic number now at five

Reading first baseman Brock Stassi went 2-for-5 at the plate with two home runs, propelling the Fightin' Phils to yet another win, 8-3. Phillies top prospect J.P. Crawford went 2-for-2 with two runs scored, two doubles, an RBI and three walks. Crawford's plate discipline has been great since joining Double-A. Though he's only hitting ..265 in Reading, the 20-year-old shortstop is hitting ..366 (15-for-41) over his last 10 games with three doubles, three triples, nine runs scored and five RBI's. Meanwhile, Andrew Knapp contributed with a double and two RBI's and starter Ben Lively tossed five innings and gave up three runs. Ethan Martin (3-0, 3.48) picked up the 'W' after hurling three shutout innings to finish off the game. Jimmy Cordero, part of the deal that sent Ben Revere to the Blue Jays, tossed a shutout inning in relief as well. Joely Rodriguez (5-3, 4.96) gets the call tonight against Bowie. In other news, top prospect Nick Williams may miss extended time with a concussion.

Advanced 'A': Clearwater was rained out on Thursday night. Doubleheader scheduled for Friday night with game one beginning at 5:05pm in Brevard County

Class 'A': Lakewood (32-27/65-62) stages a late rally, but can't pull through against Hagerstown (29-30/63-63)

Lakewood had the tying run at the plate in the ninth following a Kyle Martin RBI-single and a base hit by Jiandido Tromp, but Suns pitcher Koda Glover got Deivi Grullon to pop out and end the game. Right fielder Herlis Rodriguez and first baseman Damek Tomscha each had two hits, including a double a piece. Shane Watson (1-5, 4.19) took the loss after hurling five innings. He allowed three runs, two earned, and walked four. 2013 24th round pick Will Morris (5-0, 1.59) starts tonight against Hagerstown

Short Season 'A' – Franklyn Kilome goes six innings, but Williamsport (42-23) upended in Batavia (26-38)

Phillies top prospect Franklyn Kilome spun six innings of two-run ball, striking out five and walking two, but the Cutters bullpen gave way to Batavia in the bottom of the 12th for a 3-2 loss. Williamsport second baseman Luis Espiritu Jr. went 3-for-5 with a run scored while designated hitter Mark Laird went 2-for-5 with an RBI and a walk. The loss ended Williamsport's seven-game win streak. Their magic number remains at five and they maintain a seven game advantage over second place West Virginia in their divisional standings. They'll look to rebound tonight when Alejando Arteaga (4-1, 2.63) toes the rubber in Batavia. 

GCL Phillies – Jorge Alfaro debuts, Cornelius Randolph stays hot as Phillies (35-23) top GCL Pirates (27-30)

His name might be long forgotten at this point, but Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez is still pitching in the Phillies organization. On Thursday afternoon for the GCL club, he tossed four shutout innings, allowing just one hit and striking out four. Meanwhile, one of the biggest pieces of the Cole Hamels trade, catching prospect Jorge Alfaro, made his organizational debut yesterday and went 1-for-1 at the plate. He got hit by two pitches and caught the only base runner attempting to steal. Phils first round pick from 2015, Cornelius Randolph, went 2-for-4 at the plate with a triple, a run scored and an RBI. The 18-year-old Griffin, Georgia native is hitting .302 in the GCL this season over 53 games. He has 15 doubles, three triples, a home run and has driven in 24 runs. His strikeout and walk numbers are even at 32.  

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