Minors Recap: 4-9-2011

Posted by Mike Frohwirth

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) lost to the Syracuse Chiefs (Washington affiliate) in Saturday night, 2-1, in 10 innings. The 'Pigs fell to 1-1 on the season. At 1-0, Lehigh Valley had been over the .500 mark for the first time in franchise history. Starter Nate Bump pitched well, allowing only one unearned run, over five innings (six hits, zero walks/three strikeouts). Reliever Michael Stutes was overpowering, striking out four in two innings, but his errant pickoff throw in the 10th inning lead to the Chiefs' winning run. 3B Ronnie Belliard and 1B Jeff Larish each had a pair of hits, while 2B Josh Barfield hit the only home run of the game, his first of the season. The IronPigs face Syracuse again, Sunday at 1:35pm, on Dog Day at the Park! Box score

The Reading Phillies (AA) destroyed the Portland Sea Dogs (Boston affiliate) on Saturday night, 13-5. Reading improved their record to 2-1, paced by a seventeen-hit attack. Reading starter Ryan Edell got the win, permitting three runs in five innings (seven hits, zero walks/four strikeouts). CF Chris Frey lead the R-Phils with four hits, while 1B Matt Rizzotti and DH Cody Overbeck each had three hits. 2B Harold Garcia (1), Frey (2), and Overbeck (2) each homered. SS Freddy Galvis, who left Friday's game after being hit by a pitch, did not play. The R-Phils finish their series in Portland on Sunday, with Chris Kissock taking the hill. Game time is 1:35pm. Box score

The Clearwater Threshers (A) won in Dunedin on Saturday night, defeating the Blue Jays by a score of 4-2. Clearwater remained unbeaten, at 3-0. Clearwater starter Trevor May was effective, throwing six innings of two-run ball (five hits, one walk/ four strikeouts). 1B Joe Savery went 4-4 (two singles, double, homer), improving his batting average to .833. 2B Cesar Hernandez had three hits, while CF Jiwan James had two. James improved his batting average to .333, only .500 less than Savery. The Threshers host Dunedin on Sunday, at 1:00pm. Box score

The Lakewood BlueClaws (A) had their Saturday doubleheader with the Kannapolis Intimidators (White Sox affiliate) cancelled, after a ninety minute delay, due to unsafe playing conditions. BlueClaws mascot Buster celebrated his birthday, but no baseball was played. Lakewood will host a doubleheader on Sunday, starting at 1:05pm. Jesse Biddle and David Buchanan are expected to start for the BlueClaws, who will play two seven-inning games.