Photo courtesy @jrad13 on Twitter
Russ Canzler had a decent enough Spring Training for the Phillies. However, the Phillies signed him mainly to man a few different positions in AAA Lehigh Valley. Canzler has played some outfield, first base, and some third base in his professional career up until today, making him a good candidate for a team like Lehigh Valley that will need someone who can move around some future Phillies. But today, Canzler added another position to his resume: pitcher.
The IronPigs and the Pawtucket Red Sox went 16 innings today at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown. Before it was over, the two teams combined to have 4 2/3 innings thrown by position players who started the day's game. The loaded "Paw Sox" lineup did get to Phillies makeshift reliever for one earned run in his inning of work, but it was enough that he got the win.
Pawtucket went to a position player first as starting shortstop Jeff Bianchi took the mound in the 13th inning…after Pawtucket took the lead off of Seth Rosin. Bianchi is a utility player who has seen 162 games worth of action for the Milwaukee Brewers. But, Bianchi never pitched for them…and he entered his first game as a pitcher in a save situation.
Bianchi entered and blew the save. Catcher Tommy Joseph doubled to drive in outfielder Brian Bogusevic to make it a tie game. But alas, Bianchi retired Chris McGuiness and Chase d'Arnaud to end the threat and the 13th inning. Bianchi would pitch two clean innings after initially blowing the save for Pawtucket.
Russ Canzler moved from designated hitter to pitcher in the top of the 16th inning. Canzler's line was not impressive as Bianchi's; Canzler allowed two hits and one earned run in his inning of work. Canzler walked no one. We cannot say the same for a former Phillies prospect who took the mound for Pawtucket in the bottom of the inning.
Quintin Berry, best known in the Phillies organization for stealing 48 bases for AA Reading in 2009, relieved Bianchi with a one-run lead. Berry was unable to save the game. Berry got two outs, but pitched with as much control as one might expect from their centerfielder. Despite allowing no hits, Berry walked five Phillies, walking the bases loaded and then two more, including finally Canzler to give the IronPigs a 7-6 victory.
So, at the end of the day, Canzler was the winning pitcher and got the winning RBI with his walk. Before the last plate appearance Canzler was 0 for 7, but no one will remember that from a game where two members of the Pawtucket starting lineup blew saves. The win was the IronPigs first victory of the season and now are 1-3.
