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 (59-72) fall to Buffalo (66-62) despite nine hits
On Wednesday night in Allentown, the Ironpigs had a tough test in Bisons starter Scott Copeland (11-4, 2.46). Lehigh Valley got on the board first with two runs in the bottom of the second. Buffalo would score one in the fifth, two in the seventh and one more in the ninth to take the game, 4-2. The Ironpigs went 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position. Starter Anthony Vasquez (7-7, 4.12) pitched 6 2/3 innings and gave up three runs, two earned, and struck out two. Chase d'Arnaud had two hits and an RBI out of the lead-off spot while Gabriel Lino was responsible for the other run with an RBI-double. The Ironpigs are off to Scranton Wilkes-Barre for a matchup with the Triple-A Yankees club. Jesse Biddle (2-3, 5.85) will get the start.
Double-A: Reading Fightin Phils (74-55) top Altoona (69-61) in extras, magic number now at six
Double-A Reading was in control for the majority of this contest, but unfortunately the bullpen was unable to hold the lead late in the game. Reading took a 2-1 lead into the seventh and piled on four more runs to make it 6-1. Altoona stormed back to score five runs over the last two innings, four in the ninth off of closer Stephen Shackleford, to force extras. Reading's Angelo Mora and KC Serna drew walks with the bases loaded to give Reading the 8-6 win in 10 innings. Outfielder Destin Hood had the big blow for Reading in the seventh, a grand slam, to give them a five run advantage. Hood also had a triple on the night. Shortstop KC Serna went 4-for-5 with two doubles, two runs scored, an RBI and a walk. Meanwhile, top prospect Jake Thompson settled for a no-decision after tossing six innings of one-run ball with seven strikeouts. His ERA with Double-A Reading stands at 1.97. The Fightin' Phils host the Double-A Orioles affiliate tonight at 7:05pm. Ethan Martin (2-0, 3.73 ERA) will get the call.
Advanced 'A': Clearwater (73-56) shut out by Daytona (72-55), 2-0, on Tuesday
The Threshers had a day off on Wednesday, but only managed three hits off of Tortugas starter Keury Mella (3-1, 2.95). Jesmuel Valentin, Carlos Tocci and Malquin Canelo got the hits for the Threshers. Newly acquired pitching prospect John Richy had an impressive debut, striking out three over seven shutout innings. Reliever Yacksel Rios (6-4, 2.85) took the loss, surrendering two runs in two innings of work. The Threshers head to Brevard County tonight for a matchup with the Manatees. Highly-regarded pitching prospect Ricardo Pinto (7-2, 2.50) will toe the rubber for Clearwater. The Threshers have already punched their ticket to the playoffs after winning the first half championship in their division.
Class 'A': Lakewood (65-61) nabs victory in back and forth game with Hagerstown (63-63)
The Blueclaws scored four runs to open up the game in the first, but Hagerstown quickly answered with four of their own in the top of the second. Lakewood responded with two more in their half of the second, but the Suns tied things up at six with runs in both the fourth and the fifth. Lakewood first baseman Damek Tomscha hit a go-ahead solo homer in the eighth and Joey DeNato earned his 10th save of the season in the teams' 7-6 win. Starter Elniery Garcia gave up six runs, four earned, over five innings and struck out four. Tomscha went 2-for-3 with a double, home run, two runs scored, two RBI's and a walk. Lakewood continues their series with Hagerstown at home tonight at 7:05pm. Shane Watson (1-4, 4.28) will start for the Blueclaws.
Short Season 'A' - Williamsport (42-22) trims magic number to five after sweep of State College (33-30)
By far the least talked about team in the Phillies system, the Crosscutters have put together a heck of a season. They continued to roll on Wednesday night with an 6-4 victory over the State College spikes, scoring two runs in the second and three in both the third and seventh. Josh Tobias went 2-for-5 at the plate with a double, home run, two runs scored, two RBI's and two strikeouts. Right fielder Jose Pujols and first baseman Brendan Hayden both went 2-for-5 with a combined four runs scored, two doubles, a home run and four RBI's. Center fielder Carlos Duran also had a good night at the dish, tallying three hits, two of which were doubles, and two RBI's. Starter Jose Tavares (7-2, 3.08) got the win after tossing six innings and allowing three runs while striking out five. The Crosscutters head to Batavia tonight to start a series with the Muckdogs. Top prospect Franklyn Kilome (3-2, 2.40) gets the start for Williamsport.
