Phillies Minor League Roundup - April 14, 2014

Reading 7, Richmond 4

Severino Gonzalez - 5 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K, 3 GB, 4 FB
Austin Wright - 2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 3 K
Jay Johnson - 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 K
Ken Giles - 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 K
Cesar Hernandez - 1 for 4, R, RBI, BB, K (throwing error....there it is)
Zach Collier - 2 for 5, 2 R, 2B, K, SB
Tommy Joseph - 1 for 5, R, RBI
Cam Perkins - 2 for 5, HR, 3 RBI, K
Brock Stassi - 2 for 4, RBI, BB
Anthony Hewitt - 1 for 5, SB (fielding error)
Albert Cartwright - 2 for 4, 2B

Severino with this 3rd start on the season and didn't have the typical "Sev-line". Obviously his command was a bit off and was inducing more fly balls. But because of the Fightin's offense, he earned the "W" anyway. The bullpen held on and combined for 4 innings of 4 hit, 0 earned run baseball with a staggering 8 K's. Ken Giles continues to toy with AA hitters. How long before the WIP crowd starts clamoring for this guy as all the Phillies bullpen troubles begin to mount? Cesar continues to play 3B in order to turn him into a better hitting Michael Martinez. Collier remembers the season started and has himself a good game. He is a guy I've just about given up on. Cam Perkins is just begging to make the bus trip up to Lehigh. His nice run thus far is sure to regress, though I'm quite impressed so far. The game was tied at 3-3 going into the top of the 5th before Reading would put up a 3-spot and take the lead for good. According to MILB.com, Brody Colvin getting the start today. I'm not sure how I feel about it (yes I do, I hate it).

Tampa 6, Clearwater 5

Ethan Stewart - 5 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 6 BB, 3 K, 5 GB, 4 FB
Brian Pointer - 2 for 3, 2 R, 3B, 2 BB, K, SB
Peter Lavin - 3 for 5, R, RBI, CS
Harold Martinez - 1 for 5, RBI, K
Aaron Altherr - 1 for 5, R, 3 K
Art Charles - 3 for 3, 2 RBI, BB (missed catch error)
Nick Ferdinand - 1 for 4, HR, K (two outfield assists, 2B & 2B)
Angelo Mora - 2 for 4, 2B, SB

Ethan Stewart's start to the season has been quite interesting. He has only given up 2 earned runs in 16.2 IP (including this start) and is holding opponents to a .211 batting average. He has also given up 11 walks and only struck out 5. He doesn't take the loss in this one. Threshers held a 5-3 lead through 7 innings before Lino Martinez and Chris Burgess would let 2 score to tie the game. Jordan Guth would attempt to have the game go into extras, except he would load the bases with one out and then give up the walk-off single. Clearwater is always looking for new ways to lose (sound familiar?). Nelson Prada (CLW manager) must read the TGP because he finally switched up his lineup. Brian Pointer deservedly moves to leadoff. I probably would have moved up Mora as well, but you know...baby steps. Altherr is still rehabbing, but clearly still has some rust despite collecting his first hit. Pride of Seton Hall, Jon Prosinski, gets the start today and likely hopes to turn things around.

Lakewood 7, Greensboro 5

Mark Leiter - 6 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 4 ER, BB, 8 K, 8 GB, 1 FB
Ulises Joaquin - 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 4 K
JP Crawford - 2 for 4, 3 R, RBI, BB, 2 K, SB
Carlos Tocci - 4 for 5, R, RBI, K, SB
Zach Green - 0 for 4, RBI, BB, 2 K
Dylan Cozens - 1 for 3, BB, K
Larry Greene - 1 for 4, R, 2B, K (fielding error)
Gabriel Lino - 1 for 4, R, 2B, 2 K
Willians Astudillo - 1 for 4, HR, 2 RBI

Mark Leiter strikes out 8, though does allow 4 runs to score. He kept the ball down though and had good command of the strikezone. All you can really ask for with the offense finally pinching in. JP Crawford and Carlos Tocci set the table by simply getting on base. JP Crawford gets his 3rd steal on the season. Zach Green for reasons I can't fathom moves up in the order with similar results (no hits). Take the pressure off the kid and move him down. That Astudillo guy is kinda killing it right now. Ulises Joaquin continues to dazzle and now has 10 K's in 7 innings pitched. The game was tied at 4 before Lakewood would score a go-ahead run on a Astudillo fielder's choice. The Blue Claws would add another 2 insurance runs two innings later via RBI singles from Crawford and Tocci (which they unfortunately needed because...). Julio Reyes would give them a scare in the top of the 9th by putting runners on 1st and 3rd with 1 out. A Larry Greene fielding error would allow one run to score before Cody Forsythe would close it out for the save. Tyler Viza gets the ball today.