Phillies Minor League Roundup - May 7, 2014

Lehigh Valley 3, Charlotte 2 (11 innings)

Jonathan Pettibone - 5.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 6 GB, 2 FB
Justin De Fratus - 2.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 K
Seth Rosin - 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 K
Luis Garcia - 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, K
Tyler Henson - 2 for 5, R, 2B, K, SB (outfield assist, 2B)
Maikel Franco - 1 for 4, BB
Reid Brignac - 1 for 4, HR, 2 RBI, 2 K
Tyson Gillies - 1 for 4, 2B, RBI

Jonathan Pettibone was able to match the White Sox top pitching prospect Erik Johnson. He may not be striking batters out, but he isn't letting up very many hits either as opponents are only hitting .218 against him in AAA. The bullpen would combine for 5 2/3 innings of shutout baseball. Luis Garcia now with 12 2/3 innings of zero earned run baseball. The 27 year old Dominican could probably easily replace the Shawn Camps and Jeff Manships of the big league bullpen. Maikel Franco with another walk! That is 3 walks in the last 4 games. Positive signs for a player that has struggled through the beginning portion of the season. The Iron Pigs win this one on a 2-out Reid Brignac homer in the top of the 11th. Lehigh Valley is now back at .500.

Reading 8, Portland 3

Hoby Milner - 7 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 2 HR, 8 GB, 4 FB
Kyle Simon - 1 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, K, HR
Carlos Alonso - 2 for 5, 2 R, 2B
Zach Collier - 2 for 4, R, RBI
Cam Perkins - 2 for 4, 2 R, 2B, RBI, SB
Aaron Altherr - 2 for 4, 2 RBI, K
Brock Stassi - 1 for 4, R, RBI, SB
Albert Cartwright - 3 for 4, R, 2B, RBI
Lars Davis - 1 for 3, HR, 2 RBI

Milner with his longest, and possibly best, start of the season. Both earned runs came off a pair of solo home runs. One of course was from red hot Red Sox prospect, Mookie Betts (look at this stats, they are a bit insane for a guy as young as he is playing in AA ball). Reading was able to jump all over Portland pitching in the bottom of the 6th with a 6 run inning. Cam Perkins with his 12th double and 4th stolen base on the season. Is Zach Collier showing signs of life? In his last 5 games he is 6 for 17. I think most people though have largely given up on the kid (myself included). Nice stretches like this are good to see anyway. Reading pushes themselves to 1 game over .500.

Dunedin 6, Clearwater 3

Brody Colvin - 4 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 4 GB, 5 FB
Ethan Martin - 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R
KC Serna - 1 for 4, 2B, K, picked off
Peter Lavin - 1 for 4, HR, K
Harold Martinez - 1 for 4, 2 K
Art Charles - 2 for 4, R, 2B
Andrew Knapp - 1 for 4, R, 2B, RBI, 3 K
Brian Pointer - 0 for 3, K

Brody Colvin wasn't having THAT bad of a start until the 5th inning rolled around. He would walk the first batter, then give up a RBI double and then walk the next batter. His relief, Kevin Walter, would allow both inherited runners to score. Clearwater could have had a larger lead after the 1st, but KC Serna getting picked off at 2nd, after hitting a double, ruined that before Peter Lavin hit a home run (his 4th). Toronto and Toronto affiliates continue to haunt the Phillies organization in ways that make me angry inside. Good news? Andrew Knapp is back! He had Tommy John surgery last season and completed his hitting rehab in extended spring training. He probably won't be back behind the plate for awhile, but getting his bat in the lineup is huge.

Kannapolis 10, Lakewood 2

Drew Anderson - 3.2 IP, 7 H, 8 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, HR, 4 GB, 2 FB
Delvi Francisco - 1.1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, BB, 4 K
JP Crawford - 2 for 5, 2 2B, RBI, K (throwing error)
Carlos Tocci - 1 for 4
Dylan Cozens - 0 for 4, K
Willians Astudillo - 1 for 4, K
Mitch Walding - 0 for 4, 3 K (2 fielding errors)
Andrew Pullin - 1 for 4, R, 2B, K (fielding error)
Samuel Hiciano - 1 for 4, R, 2 K (outfield assist, 3B)
Wilmer Oberto - 2 for 4, 2 K
Deivi Grullon - 2 for 4, RBI, K

What a weird game for the Blue Claws. They collect 10 hits, but only have 2 runs to show for it. Drew Anderson was straight up baseball murdered in this one. He has been hit around pretty good in 2 of his 3 starts in Lakewood this season. JP Crawford collects doubles number 7 and 8 (one of the of the ground rule variety), but also commits an error which allowed an unearned run to score on Francisco in the 8th. You have to wonder when he will join his 2013 draft-mate Andrew Knapp down in Clearwater. Mitch Walding with a pretty putrid day at the plate and in the field. Lakewood offense collects 12 strike outs and none walk.