Phillies MLR 8/21/18: Andrew Knapp delivers game-winning hit, Francisco Morales strikes out 11

Lehigh Valley 4, Syracuse 2 (10 innings)

Drew Anderson - 6 IP, 8 H, 2 R, 2 ER, BB, 5 K, 4 GB, 5 FB
Jesmuel Valentin - 0 for 3, BB, 2 K
Andrew Knapp - 1 for 4, R, RBI, BB, 2 K
Joey Meneses - 1 for 4, BB
Aaron Altherr - 1 for 5, 3 K
Mitch Walding - 2 for 3, 2 BB, K
Zach Green - 0 for 3, R, RBI, BB, K, HBP (missed catch error)

Drew Anderson danced around trouble all game, but was able to lower his ERA to 3.75 and come out with a no-decision thanks to Danny Ortiz’s 2-run HR in the 5th inning to tie it. Andrew Knapp delivered the game-winning RBI single in the top of the 10th.

Reading, Harrisburg (cancelled due to rain)

Dunedin 5, Clearwater 1

Ramon Rosso - 3.1 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 5 ER, BB, 5 K, 2 WP, 3 GB, 1 FB
Pedro Florimon - 1 for 3, R, BB, 2 K
Daniel Brito - 1 for 2, 2B, 2 BB (fielding error)
Mickey Moniak - 1 for 4
Henri Lartigue - 1 for 4, RBI, 2 K
Luke Williams - 1 for 3, 2B, BB
Edgar Cabral - 0 for 4, 2 K
Kevin Markham - 0 for 3, BB
Jose Gomez - 0 for 4, 2 K

Clearwater took a threshing last night in a very dismal all-around effort. In 21 appearances (20 starts) this season, Ramon Rosso had yet to give up more than 4 runs in a game entering tonight. Across two levels, Rosso has a 2.20 ERA with 127 strikeouts to 39 walks in 114.1 innings pitched. The offense went 1 for 10 with RISP and left 8 on base. Pedro Florimon still on the rehab trail. Expect him to bounce up to AA/AAA for a game or two before being reactivated on September 1st.

Lexington 2, Lakewood 1

Damon Jones - 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 5 K, 9 GB, 0 FB
Matt Vierling - 0 for 4, K
Simon Muzziotti - 1 for 4, 2 K
Jake Scheiner - 1 for 3, CS, HBP
Colby Fitch - 0 for 3, BB, 2 K
Jhailyn Ortiz - 0 for 4 (fielding error)
Dalton Guthrie - 0 for 3, BB
Madison Stokes - 1 for 3, R, 3B, BB, K
Gregori Rivero - 1 for 3, 2B, K
Jose Antequera - 2 for 2, 2 2B, RBI, BB

Another disappointing team performance last night outside of Damon Jones. Jones picked up his 7th loss of the season despite sporting a modest 3.54 ERA (with 113 strikeouts to 47 walks in 104.1 IP). The BlueClaws were 0 for 8 with RISP and left 6 on base. Gregori Rivero played in his first game since August 13th. Despite going 0 for 4, Jhailyn Ortiz is still hitting .314 in his last 10 games.

Williamsport 8, State College 1

Francisco Morales - 6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 11 K, HR, 5 GB, 2 FB
Ben Aklinski - 0 for 5, K
Rafael Marchan - 3 for 5, 2 R, RBI, K, CS
Ben Pelletier - 2 for 4, 2B, HR, 3 RBI
Alec Bohm - 2 for 3, R, BB
Jake Holmes - 1 for 3, R, BB
Matt Kroon - 1 for 3, R, BB, K
Jonathan Guzman - 1 for 4, R, 2 K
Seth Lancaster - 1 for 4, 3B, 3 RBI, K
Keudy Bocio - 2 for 4, R, 2B, RBI, K

Sometimes results aren’t always indicative of talent. Francisco Morales is someone that I’ve tried to preach that about all season. The results have been mostly bad (5.52 ERA, 29 walks in 45.2 IP), but his fastball/slider combo is legitimately very good. When he is able to throw/locate his slider, he looks unstoppable out there. Last night he set a career-high in strikeouts in what was easily the best start of his professional career. Ben Pelletier hit his 8th HR last night, his 3rd homer in his last 7 games. The impressive 20 year old his slashing .288/.345/.451 in 212 at-bats. He’s easy to say he is a top 30 prospect in this organization at this point. That Alec Bohm kid had his first multi-hit game with Williamsport since July 8th.