Phillies Minor League Roundup - June 18, 2014

Lehigh Valley 8, Charlotte 6

Brad Lincoln - 4 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 5 ER, BB, 3 K, 2 HR, 3 GB, 6 FB
Tyler Knigge - 3 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, K, 2 GB, 4 FB
Cesar Jimenez - 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R
Luis Garcia - 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, K
Leandro Castro - 1 for 3, R
Cam Perkins - 0 for 2, K
Cody Asche - 2 for 3, 2 R, HR, 2 RBI, BB
Maikel Franco - 1 for 2, 2 R, 2B, RBI, BB
Cameron Rupp - 2 for 4, R, 2 2B, 2 RBI, K
Tyson Gillies - 1 for 4, K

Brad Lincoln finally comes back down to earth after a 19 inning scoreless streak. Tyler Knigge picks up the win in relief and Jimenez and Garcia just continue to dominate AAA. Between the both of them on the season at Lehigh they have combined for 53.2 IP, 35 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 15 BB, 47 K. Jimenez is riding a 21 inning scoreless streak and Garcia has yet to give up an earned run. Cody Asche clearly likes playing in the minor leagues. I'd imagine we are going to see some roster shuffling with Nieves getting hurt and Asche just about ready to rejoin the team. Maikel Franco gets back in our good graces after an 0fer Tuesday. Cameron Rupp, likely to be called up if Nieves' injury is serious, finally puts the bat to the ball.

Akron 4, Reading 3

Jesse Biddle - 7 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, 2 HR, 8 GB, 6 FB (pickoff error)
Colton Murray - 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 K, HR
Peter Lavin - 2 for 5, 2 2B, RBI
Carlos Alonso - 1 for 4, K
Kelly Dugan - 1 for 4, K
Brock Stassi - 1 for 4
Zach Collier - 2 for 4, HR
Logan Moore - 0 for 3, R, BB

Biddle following two putrid performances pitches a very good game. He was only really hurt by the long ball in this one. He is still holding batters to a .232 batting average despite the 4.04 ERA (obviously the walks play into that). He is still only 22, but will need to continue to develop better control of his pitches if he is ever going to be a successful major leaguer. Reading outhits Akron in the game 11-5, but are 2 for 11 with RISP. Collier hits his first HR of the season and has looked good since returning from the DL (4 for 8). Peter Lavin's bat is also coming alive. In his last 4 games he has gone 8 for 16 with 4 doubles, a homer and two stolen bases.

Clearwater, Lakeland (cancelled due to rain)

Williamsport 5, Jamestown 4 (11 innings)

Alejandro Arteaga - 5 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, K, 9 GB, 0 FB
Elniery Garcia - 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, K
Frank Rivas - 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 K
Joey Denato - 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 K (pickoff error)
Cord Sandberg - 1 for 5, R, K
Jiandido Tromp - 4 for 5, 2 R, 2B, 2 SB (outfield assist, 3B)
Drew Stankiewicz - 0 for 4, RBI, BB, 2 K
Rhys Hoskins - 1 for 5, 2 RBI, K
Aaron Brown - 1 for 4, RBI, K
Jan Hernandez - 1 for 4, 2B, BB
Deivi Grullon - 0 for 4, R

Alejandro Arteaga is really having a rough go of it in 2014 and is not finding much success on any level. The bullpen combines for 6 scoreless innings for relief. The Crosscutters would score on a Stankiewicz fielder's choice where a throwing error would allow the winning run to score. Aaron Brown makes his professional debut and has himself an groundout RBI. With Brown in the fold now it's only a matter of time before Tromp is back up with Lakewood. He is too good for this level. All of Sandberg, Tromp, H. Rodriguez and Brown need to play and there isn't room for all of them. Speaking of Sandberg, he extends his hitting streak to 6 games (.370/.370/.556).