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Today’s Probables:
Lehigh Valley: Jake Thompson vs. Rochester
Reading: Tommy Bergjans vs. Richmond
Clearwater: Edgar Garcia vs. Tampa
Lakewood: Adonis Medina vs. Hagerstown
Williamsport: Kyle Young vs. Batavia
GCL: TBD
Pawtucket 8, Lehigh Valley 4 [box]
A bit of a mixed bag for Mark Appel, who was tripped up by a throwing error and infield single in the 2nd inning, struck out the side in the 3rd, then gave up a pair of earned runs in the 4th. Altogether for the right-hander, a 5 IP, 7 H, 4 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 8 K performance.
Mark Peterson, acquired last weekend from Kansas City, allowed six hits and four earned runs and only recorded two outs, as things got away from the Pigs in the loss.
The good news? Scott Kingery hit his third homerun since joining the club and had a 2-for-5 night. Rhys Hoskins went deep, his 19th longball of the year. And Nick Williams and Jorge Alfaro each added two hits. It was also announced on Thursday that Kingery and Hoskins will play for Team USA in the Futures Game in Miami next Sunday.
Vince Velasquez will start tomorrow evening for the Pigs in a rehab outing.
Reading 7, Harrisburg 1 [box]
It’s been a rough go of it this year for Tyler Viza, but the right-hander stepped up with a fantastic outing Thursday in Harrisburg. Viza went eight solid innings and allowed just two hits and one earned run while walking one and striking out eight.
The Fightin Phils did most of their offensive work in the middle innings, with two runs in the 4th and three in the 5th. Mitch Walding had a three-hit night, including his 19th homer of the season, a solo blast in the 4th inning, while Nick Rickles added a two-hit evening with three runs batted in.
Lakewood 6, Greensboro 4 [box]
Just another night of Sixto Sanchez throwing cheddar. Sanchez sat 94-99 for the evening, touching 101. He lasted 80 pitches and five innings, giving up two runs on five hits in the victory. He walked one and struck out seven. He’s walked just four batters all season.
The offense clicked thanks to a 2-for-4 night from Daniel Brito, who hit a two-run blast in the 4th, and Mickey Moniak, who went 2-for-4. Luke Williams added two hits on the evening and drove in a run, too.
Fort Myers 7, Clearwater 2 [box]
This was supposed to be a doubleheader, but the makeup game from Wednesday night was rained out, so we got a full nine-inning affair once things finally got underway in Ft. Myers.
Cornelius Randolph did put together a good night, going 3-for-4 with a homerun. Cord Sandberg added a double and an RBI.
It’s also expected that the Threshers will be getting JoJo Romero from Lakewood to replace Cole Irvin on the roster. Irvin moved up to Reading earlier this week.
Williamsport 6, Batavia 5 [box]
A back and forth finish in this one, with the Crosscutters losing the lead in the top of the 9th, giving up a run in the 10th, but striking back with two to win it in the bottom of the 10th.
Luis Carrasco started and lasted five innings, allowing two runs in the process. Addison Russ was roughed up in the 9th for two earned runs, which sent the game to extras.
Cole Stobbe notched a bases-loaded walk to tie the game, and Josh Stephen won it with an RBI single to left. Greg Pickett continued his hot start with a 2-for-4 night and an RBI. Jhailyn Ortiz went deep in the 4th inning, his second homer of the summer.
And this lineup is about to get a little more potent because...
Tigers West 4, GCL Phillies 3 [box]
Adam Haseley is done with the GCL after three games, on his way to the Crosscutters. But he headed out the door on a high note with a 2-for-3 day, with a walk and an RBI for good measure. The GCL never seemed like it would be a permanent spot for Haseley for the rest of 2017 and was merely just a way to get him some ABs and keep him fresh.
Zach Eflin got the ball in a rehab start, and pitched three shutout innings in the process. The Pigs could certainly use his arm back in their rotation soon.