Phillies Minor League Roundup - April 8, 2014

Buffalo 7, Lehigh Valley 2

David Buchanan - 5 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, HR, 8 GB, 2 FB
Mike Nesseth - 1.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 3 GB, 1 FB
Phillippe Aumont - 1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 2 GB
Clete Thomas - 2 for 4, RBI, SB
Maikel Franco - 0 for 4, K
Cameron Rupp - 1 for 3, HR, BB, K
Leandro Castro - 0 for 4, SB (outfield assist, 2B)

David Buchanan had a really great spring training, but didn't break in with the big club as the 5th starter. Other than a two-run homer from former MLBer Dan Johnson in the 1st, he was able to shut down the Buffalo offense.  Poor Mike Nesseth is not having a great start to his season and takes the loss here. Aumont just can't figure out how to effectively repeat any sort of success. After getting two quick outs, he then walked 4 straight batters before having to be replaced. Maikel Franco played 1B last night, while Reid Brignac filled in at 3rd (and committed a fielding error). The best thing to take away from this game is that Rupp homered in his 4th straight game (giving him 4 on the season). He also has 6 walks in his first 4 games. These teams finish the series with a doubleheader today with Reading facing former MLBer Ricky Romero in the 1st game and top pitching prospect Marcus Stroman in the nightcap.

Reading 5, New Hampshire 4

Jesse Biddle - 7 IP, 6 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, HR, 7 GB, 7 FB, WP
Ryan O'Sullivan - 2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 K
Carlos Alonso - 1 for 4, R, BB, K, SB
Zach Collier - 1 for 5, RBI, 2 K
Cam Perkins - 2 for 4, BB (outfield assist, 1B)
Kelly Dugan - 1 for 4, R, BB, K (throwing error)
Tommy Joseph - 1 for 3, HR, BB, HBP
Brock Stassi - 3 for 4, 2 R, 2B, RBI, HBP
Anthony Hewitt - 1 for 2, RBI, K
Edgar Duran - 2 for 3, BB, SB, CS, picked off

Jesse Biddle with a seemingly better start this time out than his season opener. He was able to go 7 innings, but induced way too many fly balls. He will need to continue to harness his control and only issuing 1 walk was encouraging. The Fightin's were down 4-2 in the bottom of the 7th before getting runs in the bottom of the 7th and 8th to tie it. Tommy Joseph ripped his first homer of the season, which was also his first hit of the young season. NH went up in the top of the 9th, but Reading would load the bases in the bottom of the 9th and win it on an RBI single from Anthony Hewitt. Severino Gonzalez gets the start tonight.

Tampa 7, Clearwater 6

Colin Kleven - 5 IP, 10 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 2 HR, 5 GB, 1 FB
Mike Adams - 1 IP, 0 H, K
Freddy Galvis - 1 for 4, R, 3B
Peter Lavin - 1 for 5, 2B, 3 K
Harold Martinez - 2 for 5, R, 2B, 2 K
Art Charles - 2 for 5, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI, 2 K

You have to give Clearwater credit, they didn't quit in this one. They were down 5-0 going into the bottom of the 5th and were able to bring it to within 7-6 in the bottom of the 9th. KC Serna would hit an 2 RBI Double to get them within one. Willie Carmona would come to the plate with the tying run on 2nd, but would then groundout. Mike Adams and Freddy Galvis on rehab assignment. I would be curious to know how Adams is throwing at this point and if he has any of his velocity back. The Phillies bullpen could need him if he is indeed healthy. Ethan Stewart gets the ball this afternoon after 7 shutout innings his first time out.

Greensboro 4, Lakewood 2

Shane Martin - 5 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 9 GB, 2 FB, WP
Carlos Tocci - 1 for 4, K
Andrew Pullin - 1 for 4, K
Dylan Cozens - 0 for 4
Zach Green - 0 for 4, K
Wilmer Oberto - 1 for 4, R, 2 K
Samuel Hiciano - 2 for 3, R, BB
Larry Greene - 0 for 2, BB, K
Jose Mayorga - 2 for 3, 2 RBI (throwing error)

The 23 year old righty, Shane Martin makes his single A debut, but the offense didn't give him much support. I blame not playing Crawford because that guy is awesome, am I right? Zach Green's epic opening slump (2 for 21) is probably weighing down on him because he isn't that bad. Mark Leiter gets the start this afternoon in the series finale.