Phillies Minor League Roundup - August 22-24, 2014

Lehigh Valley 7, Pawtucket 3 (August 22, 2014)

Greg Smith - 4.2 IP, 8 H, 3 R, 2 ER, BB, 4 K, HR, 7 GB, 4 FB
Hector Neris - 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 5 K
Luis Garcia - 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 3 K
Cesar Hernandez - 0 for 5 (fielding and throwing error)
Freddy Galvis - 2 for 5, R, K
Maikel Franco - 2 for 5, R, RBI, K
John Mayberry Jr. - 1 for 4, HR, 3 RBI, BB, K
Jim Murphy - 3 for 4, 2 R, HR, BB, K
Cam Perkins - 1 for 4, RBI, BB, SB
Sebastian Valle - 0 for 5, K

Hector Neris picks up his 4th win of the season with a 5 strikeout performance. This was his highest total in an outing in which he didn't start a game (he started 8 game last year for Reading). Jim Murphy knocks in his 11th homer this year in what has been a disappointing campaign for the veteran 1B. The 28 year old is 12 HR off his 2013 pace. Cam Perkins steals his 2nd base with LHV and 7th overall.

Syracuse 3, Lehigh Valley 2 (August 23, 2014, Game 1 of doubleheader, 7 innings)

Jeff Manship - 7 IP, 2 R, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 6 K, HR, 9 GB, 2 FB
Cesar Hernandez - 0 for 3, K
Maikel Franco - 2 for 3, 2 R, HR, K
Cam Perkins - 0 for 3
Cameron Rupp - 0 for 3, 2 K

Jeff Manship actually threw a quality outing and still lost. This is more or less fitting for The Schooner. The offense outhits Syracuse 5-2, but still somehow manage to lose. Maikel Franco with his 2nd multi-hit game in a row and his 13th homerun.

Lehigh Valley 7, Syracuse 1 (August 23, 2014, Game 2 of doubleheader, 7 innings makeup of 7/3 ppd)

Jeremy Horst - 4 IP, 1 H, 0 R, BB, 6 K
Tyler Knigge - 1.2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, K, WP
Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez - 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 2 K
Cesar Hernandez - 2 for 3, 2 R, BB, SB (throwing error)
Maikel Franco - 4 for 4, 2 R, 2B, 3B, HR, 3 RBI
Leandro Castro - 2 for 3, R, RBI, HBP
Cam Perkins - 0 for 3
Sebastian Valle - 1 for 3, 2 RBI, K

10 thousand fans were on hand Saturday night to witness Franco's hit cycle. He doubled in the 1st, tripled in the 3rd, singled in the 4th and homered in the 6th in this shortened game. That in itself makes this cycle particularly impressive. Jeremy Horst had a nice game picking up the slack in the 2nd game of the doubleheader. MAG has an 8 inning scoreless streak going.

Lehigh Valley 5, Syracuse 3 (August 24, 2014)

Jason Marquis - 6 IP, 2 R, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, HR, 10 GB, 3 FB
Ethan Martin - 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, K
Luis Garcia - 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 K, WP
Cesar Hernandez - 0 for 5, 4 K
Maikel Franco - 2 for 4, R, 2B, K (fielding error)
Russ Canzler - 1 for 3, HR, BB, SB
Cam Perkins - 3 for 3, R, RBI, BB
Cameron Rupp - 0 for 4, 2 K
Tyler Henson - 1 for 1, HR

Jason Marquis picks up his 2nd win with the Iron Pigs and Luis Garcia gets his 20th save. Franco hit an impressive 10 for 16 this weekend with 2 doubles, a triple and 2 homeruns. His season line still sits at .256/.297/.420, but with 14 homeruns and only 79 strikeouts in 493 at bats. Yes, he isn't walking either, but he is having quite the ending to a very tough season. In his last 47 games he is batting .330/.345/.581 with a .348 BABIP. It wouldn't be surprising if he makes a push in spring training for a big league spot.

Reading 4, Erie 3 (August 22, 2014, 12 innings)

Adam Loewen - 7.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 8 K, 8 GB, 3 FB (fielding error)
Colton Murray - 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, K
Kyle Simon - 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, K
KC Serna - 1 for 2, R
Carlos Alonso - 2 for 5
Peter Lavin - 1 for 5, RBI, BB, 2 K (throwing error)
Aaron Altherr - 1 for 4, 2B, BB, 2 K, CS
Zach Collier - 1 for 5, RBI, 3 K
Raywilly Gomez - 1 for 2, HR, 2 RBI

Loewen pitches very well, but doesn't factor into the decision. Reading was down 3-1 going into the bottom of the 9th. Free RayWilly-G hit his 1st homer with Reading, a 2-run shot to tie the game up. Peter Lavin delivered a 1-out RBI single to win the game in the 12th. Another solid performance from Colton Murray.

Reading 8, Erie 5 (August 23, 2014)

Hoby Milner - 6 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 3 HR, 6 GB, 8 FB
Mike Nesseth - 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB
Matt Hoffman - 1.2 IP, H, 0 R, K
Carlos Alonso - 1 for 4, HR, 4 RBI
Kelly Dugan - 0 for 4, 2 K
Jake Fox - 1 for 3, HR, BB, K
Aaron Altherr - 1 for 4, R, 2 K
KC Serna - 2 for 4, 2 R, RBI
Peter Lavin - 1 for 4, 2 R
Zach Collier - 1 for 2, 2B, 2 RBI

Hoby Milner, not to be outdone by anyone else this season, gives up 3 more homeruns to give him a grand total of 25 allowed this season. Because baseball is whacky and fun, Milner earns himself his 9th win, tied with Severino Gonzalez for the team lead. Carlos Alonso hits his 10th home run and Jake Fox adds his 21st (37th overall across all levels)). Fox is 3 HR behind Joey Gallo and 6 behind Kris Bryant.

Erie 5, Reading 3 (August 24, 2014)

Aaron Nola - 5 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, BB, 5 K, HR, 6 GB, 2 FB
Austin Wright - 1 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, HR
Nefi Ogando - 2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, K
Matt Hoffman - 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, K
Carlos Alonso - 2 for 4, 2B, 2 RBI
Zach Collier - 1 for 5, K
Peter Lavin - 2 for 4, BB
Aaron Altherr - 0 for 4, 3 K
KC Serna - 2 for 4, 2 R, K

Nola with an extremely solid start and should get one more according to Joe Jordan before he is done for the season. Austin Wright has a good a chance in not being in the organization next season as Nola does at being in the Phillies starting rotation. The offense matched Erie in hits 10-10, but still fell. KC Serna with a particularly good weekend going 5 for 8.

Brevard County 7, Clearwater 6 (August 22, 2014, Game 1 of doubleheader, 8 innings)

Colin Kleven - 4 IP, 4 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, HR, WP
Cody Forsythe - 2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, 2 K
Lee Ridenhour - 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, BB
Roman Quinn - 2 for 3, R, BB, CS, picked off
Jesmuel Valentin - 2 for 4, R, K
JP Crawford - 0 for 4, 2 K
Art Charles - 2 for 4, HR, 3 RBI
Brian Pointer - 1 for 4, R, K
Harold Martinez - 1 for 3, R, K, HBP (throwing error)
Chris Serritella - 1 for 3, HR, 3 RBI, BB
Gabriel Lino - 0 for 4 (passed ball)
Herlis Rodriguez - 2 for 3, 2B, K

After 4 straight quality starts, Kleven succumbed to the bad outing. Ridenhour would get the loss after giving up the go-ahead run in the top of the 8th. Art Charles hit is 17th homer and Serritella added his 5th of the season. Roman Quinn caught stealing for the 10th time in Clearwater and JP goes hitless with a couple strikeouts.

Brevard County 7, Clearwater 2 (August 22, 2014, Game 2 of doubleheader, 7 innings makeup of 8/10 ppd)

Jeb Stefan - 6 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 7 ER, BB, 6 K, 2 HR, 5 GB, 5 FB
Perci Garner - 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 4 BB, WP
Roman Quinn - 0 for 4, K
JP Crawford - 0 for 3, RBI, BB, CS
Brian Pointer - 0 for 1, 2 BB, K
Art Charles - 1 for 3, HR, K

Not much went right in the nightcap of the doubleheader. Stefan was blown up for his 12th loss. He has been absolutely terrible in games starting this year. I doubt we see Jeb in the rotation again, barring any injuries. Sometimes words just can't describe what I'm actually feeling. Perci Garner walking 4 guys in an inning and not allowing any runs to score just perplexes me. 75 walks in 92 innings this season for Mr. Garner. Art Charles with his 18th homer and 2nd on the day.

Clearwater 6, Brevard County 2 (August 23, 2014)

Kevin Walter - 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 7 GB, 4 FB
Aaron Baker - 1.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 K
Ulises Joaquin - 2.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 K
Roman Quinn - 1 for 3, R, BB, K, SB
Jesmuel Valentin - 1 for 4, R
JP Crawford - 1 for 4, 2B, 2 RBI, K, CS
Art Charles - 1 for 3, R, 2B, BB
Brian Pointer - 1 for 4, HR, 2 RBI, 2 K
Harold Martinez - 2 for 3, R, 3B
Chris Serritella - 2 for 3, HR, 2 RBI, K
Gabriel Lino - 0 for 3, 3 K
Herlis Rodriguez - 1 for 3, 2B

Two great back to back starts for Kevin Walter, who has only given up 1 earned run in his last two starts. That includes 9 strikeouts, 4 walks and only 4 hits. Roman Quinn stole his 30th base and now has back-to-back-to-back 30 steal seasons in the minors. JP is caught stealing for the 2nd straight game and is 23 for 35 on the season. Brian Pointer hits his 15th homer, 9 more than 2013 and in less at bats.

Brevard County 5, Clearwater 4 (August 24, 2014)

Miguel Nunez - 8 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, BB, 5 K, 7 GB, 6 FB
Lee Ridenhour - 0.1 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB
Ethan Stewart - 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, K
Roman Quinn - 1 for 4, K
Jesmuel Valentin - 0 for 2, R, 2 BB
JP Crawford - 2 for 4, 2 HR, 3 RBI
Brian Pointer - 0 for 2, 2 BB, K
Art Charles - 2 for 4, HR

Miguel goes a career high 8 innings in a no-decision. Ridenhour relieved Nunez in the 9th with a 2-1 lead. JP Crawford with HR's 7 and 8 with Clearwater (11 overall on the season across two levels). JP has noted that he is bulking up a bit in the locker room to add more power to his repertoire at the plate. Art Charles is apparently on a war path, delivering his 19th HR. He should be a significant power threat next season at Reading.

Lakewood 4, Greensboro 0 (August 22, 2014)

Yacksel Rios - 6.1 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K, 10 GB, 5 FB
Jesen Therrien - 2.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, BB, 3 K
Carlos Tocci - 0 for 3, K
Aaron Brown - 0 for 4, K
Andrew Pullin - 1 for 4
Zach Green - 1 for 3, HR, BB
Andrew Knapp - 1 for 4, R, 2B, K
Dylan Cozens - 1 for 3, R, RBI, K, SB
Willians Astudillo - 2 for 3, 2B, RBI
Larry Greene - 0 for 3
Malquin Canelo - 1 for 3, R, K, SB

Yacksel Rios gets his 6th win and his only start in which he has not allowed a run. Zach Green belts his 5th homer and Cozens add his 21st stolen base. Willians Astudillo better figure out a position to play because I want to see his bat advance through the system damnit!

Greensboro 10, Lakewood 3 (August 23, 2014)

Ranfi Casimiro - 4.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, BB, 4 K, HR, 3 GB, 6 FB, 2 WP
Julios Reyes - 1.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, K, WP
Will Morris - 2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 K, WP
Delvi Francisco - 1 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 4 ER, BB, K
Carlos Tocci - 1 for 4, HBP
Aaron Brown - 0 for 3, 2 K, 2 HBP, CS
Andrew Pullin - 0 for 4 (fielding error)
Dylan Cozens - 1 for 4, HR
Zach Green - 2 for 4, 2 R, 2 2B
Mitch Walding - 0 for 3, 2 K, HBP
Willians Astudillo - 2 for 4, 2B, 2 RBI, K
Larry Greene - 0 for 2, 2 BB
Malquin Canelo - 1 for 3, 2B, BB

Just when you think Ranfi is turning it around. It wasn't a dreadful start, but ended his 4 consecutive quality start streak. Cozens hit his 15th homer of the season, a 6 homer improvement from 2013. The average and walks have dipped, the power/steals/strikeouts have risen. He will need to continue to make adjustments along the way, but there is still a high amount of upside for the kid. Larry Greene is 1 for 25 in his last 9 games. He continues to take up a spot in the lineup.

Greensboro 4, Lakewood 1 (August 24, 2014)

Matt Imhof - 4 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 4 K, HR, 3 GB, 3 FB, WP
Frank Rivas - 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, WP
Joey Denato - 2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, K
Nick Rodesky - 1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 K
Carlos Tocci - 1 for 4
Andrew Pullin - 0 for 4 , 2 K
Willians Astudillo - 1 for 3, K, HBP
Dylan Cozens - 1 for 4
Zach Green - 0 for 4, K
Andrew Knapp - 2 for 3, R, BB (pickoff error and passed ball)
Aaron Brown - 2 for 4, 2B, RBI, 2 K
Malquin Canelo - 0 for 2, BB (fielding error)

Matt Imhof perhaps caps off his professional debut with a decent outing, but should get another start this week. Overall he progressed from the GCL to Lakewood with very little struggle. He should be pegged for a Clearwater jersey and a spot in the rotation come 2015. The offense fails to capitalize, going 1 for 7 with RISP and leaving 7 on base. Teddy Willians is batting .485/.514/.530 in August (66 at bats), including only 2 walks and 3 strikeouts. He has 140 hits this season; Larry Greene has only 189 in 847 at bats in his CAREER.

Auburn 4, Williamsport 0 (August 22, 2014)

Ricardo Pinto - 6 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 9 K, HR, 5 GB, 2 FB
Scott Harris - 1 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, BB, K
Manny Martinez - 1 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB
Cord Sandberg - 1 for 4
Rhys Hoskins - 1 for 3, BB
Jose Pujols - 2 for 4, 2B, K (fielding error)
Jan Hernandez - 0 for 3, BB, 3 K

Ricardo Pinto tosses a gem and his best performance this season. He has only given up 10 earned runs in 40 innings, including 33 hits, 12 walks and 39 strikeouts. The offense goes silent, getting out hit 9-5 and going 0 for 6 with RISP. Jose Pujols with his first multi-hit game with the Crosscutters.

Williamsport 4, Auburn 3 (August 23, 2014)

David Whitehead - 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 K, 11 GB, 3 FB
Matt Hockenberry - 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, K
Preston Packrall - 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R
Calvin Rayburn - 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, BB
Jan Hernandez - 0 for 3, R, BB, K (throwing error)
Jiandido Tromp - 1 for 4, K
Cord Sandberg - 1 for 3, R
Rhys Hoskins - 2 for 3, 2 R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, BB
Jose Pujols - 0 for 4, RBI, 2 K (outfield assist, 1B)
Deivi Grullon - 0 for 4, K (passed ball)
Robinson Torres - 1 for 3, BB, K

Make that 6 consecutive starts for David Whitehead of giving up 2 or less earned runs. Of his 12 starts this season, he has given up more than 2 earned runs only twice. Rhys Hoskins trying to finish the season strong, hits his 8th home run. Tromp had the highest average in the lineup on Saturday with .267.

Auburn 8, Williamsport 0 (August 24, 2014)

Mitch Gueller - 2.2 IP, 6 H, 7 R, 7 ER, 2 BB, K, 4 GB, 1 FB
Jan Hernandez - 1 for 3, BB, K
Jiandido Tromp - 0 for 3, BB, K
Cord Sandberg - 1 for 3, K
Rhys Hoskins - 1 for 2, BB
Jose Pujols - 0 for 4 (outfield assist, 2B)
Deivi Grullon - 1 for 3, K
Emmanuel Marrero - 2 for 3, CS

Gueller not ending the season on the best of notes, giving up 15 earned runs in his last 3 starts (13.1 innings). The offense was bust again in this game and has been an issue all season when guys like Sandberg, Tromp or Campbell aren't going on ridiculous hot streaks.

GCL Phillies 8, GCL Blue Jays 3 (August 22, 2014)

Sam McWilliams - 3.2 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, K, 4 GB, 3 FB, 2 WP
Josh Taylor - 4.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K, 7 GB, 1 FB
Kyle Bogese - 1 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, WP
Venn Biter - 2 for 5, 2 R, 2 K, SB
Carlos Duran - 1 for 5, R, 3B, 3 K
Tim Zier - 1 for 4, R, RBI, HBP
Damek Tomscha - 3 for 4, R, 2 2B, 3 RBI, BB, SB
Jesus Posso - 1 for 5, 2B, RBI
Gustavo Martinez - 1 for 4, R, BB
Joel Fisher - 1 for 3, BB
William Cucias - 1 for 4, R, CS
Olvy Marte - 1 for 4, R, K

GCL Phillies 2, GCL Blue Jays 1 (August 23, 2014)

Lewis Alezones - 6 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 K, 5 GB, 5 FB
Austin Davis - 2 IP, 1 H, 0 R
Jared Fisher - 1 IP, 0 H, 0 R
Venn Biter - 0 for 4, SB (outfield assist, home)
Tim Zier - 1 for 3, BB, K
Grenny Cumana - 0 for 4, K
Damek Tomscha - 0 for 3, R, BB, K
Jesus Posso - 1 for 2, HBP
Gustavo Martinez - 1 for 4, RBI
Carlos Duran - 0 for 3, R, SB
Olvy Marte - 1 for 2, BB
Gregorio Rivero - 1 for 3, RBI (throwing error)