The Clearwater Threshers (36-36) swept Dunedin with their second consecutive, walk off 6-5 victory.  They are 4-0 starting the second half.  Without DBU.  Go figure.

McKenzie Mills gave the Threshers five quality innings.  He allowed 3 singles, walked two, and struck out eight.  Had his pitch count not gotten out of hand, he might have gone deeper into the game.  As it was, he turned a scoreless tie over to the bullpen.  Felix Paulino (3.68) wasted no time turning the tie into a three- then four-run deficit.  He gave up 5 hits and issued 3 walks in two forgettable innings.  Addison Russ (1-0, 10.13) entered in a low-leverage situation and gave up a run in two innings.

The Threshers were retired in order the first three innings.  They managed to get two men on in each of the next three innings but failed to get a run across.  They got two-out walks in the seventh and eighth, but didn’t look like they were going to avoid the shutout.

Jose Pujols led off the ninth with a ground single to center that just eluded the gloves of both middle infielders.  Luke Williams turned on a pitch and his 2-run HR (7) put the Threshers on the board, 5-2.  I found myself remembering Mike Schmidt’s statement that 3-run HRs were rally killers, and wondered if he would apply that to 2-run HRs.  Anyway, Grenny Cumana singled on a fly ball to left and the tying run was in the on deck circle.

Brian Mims doubled on a fly ball to right center field that split the outfielders and the tying run was at the plate with runners on second and third.  The Blue Jays made a pitching change.  As the new pitcher walked to the mound, I whispered audibly, “Please don’t be the side-armer, please don’t be the side-armer”.  I had seen such a pitcher confuse the Threshers earlier, and I knew the Jays had one in their bullpen.

Well, of course, the reliever was a right-handed side-armer.  But, his first offering was wild and the Threshers had another run, 5-3.

It was a meaningless run as Gamboa, the tying run, was still in the batter’s box.  But maybe the pitcher would get a little rattled.  Two strikes later, he hung a pitch in the middle of the zone and Gamboa lined a single to right, 5-4 and go ahead run at the plate!

And then, inexplicably, Adam Haseley sacrificed Gamboa to second.  What!  I started to question the move.  A first round pick bunting.  Putting the pressure squarely on Henri Lartigue’s shoulders.  The batter behind Lartigue had struggled since his reassignment from Reading.  But, Coach Williams made all the right moves in Saturday night’s comeback win, so I tabled my misgivings.

So, Lartigue stepped into the box, and the Jays’ pitcher threw another wild pitch.  (Yeah, I thought that we could have saved an out and gotten the runner to second … , but enough second guessing.)  Lartigue worked the count full and fouled off a pitch.  Then he made solid contact.  The kind that causes a hush in the crowd momentarily.  When the umpire circled his index finger above his head, the dugout emptied and the remaining fans (maybe 200) went wild.  Me included.

Haseley, Lartigue (.281), Pujols (.306), and Mims (.208) had 2 hits apiece.

Lartigue and Williams (.246) had 2 RBI apiece.

Cumana had a key outfield assist at home from left field, and almost had a second.

Mills threw 88 pitches.  His FB was 89-94 mph.  It sat 92-93 in the first inning, but settled in at 90-93 through the next three innings.  It dropped to 90-92 in the fifth after 71 pitches thru the first four innings.  His off speed pitches were a little ragged in the first inning, but he got them under control.  He throws a FB, CH, CB.  He got Ks on all three pitches.  After a backward K in the first inning on a 92 mph FB, his next seven came swinging – at two 92 mph FB, 3 CH ( 70, 80, 79), and 2 CB (74, 73).  Mills threw about 62% FB.  CH and CB were evenly split.

Mickey Moniak started in only his second game since June 14th.  He didn’t reach base, but he made solid contact.

• #1 Sixto Sanchez (4-3 , 2.51): is on the 7-day DL with elbow inflammation
• #2 Adonis Medina (7-2, 3.99):
• #3 Adam Haseley (.297): went 2-4 with a sac
• #4 Mickey Moniak (.249): went 0-4
• #8 Arquimedes Gamboa (.255): went 1-5 with a run scored, RBI 
• #16 Jose Gomez (.225): DNP
• #20 McKenzie Mills (0-2, 4.46): 5.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 8 K
• #24 J.D. Hammer (1-1, 7.36):
• #27 Connor Seabold (4-4, 3.90):
• Bailey Falter (5-2, 2.96):

The GCL Phillies East (2-3) DNP

The  GCL Phillies West (1-3) DNP

• #23 Luis Garcia (.286):

In other action –

Lehigh Valley (43-31) postponed, rain.  

• #11 Enyel De Los Santos (7-3, 1.63):
• #12 Tom Eshelman (1-6, 6.68):
• #13 Roman Quinn (.289): 7-day DL, right middle finger strain
• #15 Dylan Cozens (.226): called up to Philadelphia
• #21 Drew Anderson (4-2, 3.48): 
• #22 Cole Irvin (8-3, 2.61):

Reading (33-41) beat New Hampshire, 8-1.  Ranger Suarez tossed seven, no-hit innings.  He gave up 5 hits and a walk.  He struck out two.  Alexis Rivero (3.86) gave up a run in two innings of relief.

The Phils put this game away early.  They scored 3 runs in the first inning on Darick Hall’s 3-run HR (6); and 3 runs in the second on Drew Stankiewicz’ RBI double and Jiandido Tromps 2-run HR (3).  They tacked on a couple runs later on Zach Green’s solo HR (15) in the sixth and Deivi Grullon’s solo HR (11) in the ninth.

Tromp (.229) went 3-5 with 2 runs scored, a HR (3), and 2 RBI (17).

Malquin Canelo (.261) had 2 hits.

Hall has 6 HR and 24 RBI in his 22 games at Reading.

The Phils are on a nice run having won 7 of their last eight games.

• #6 JoJo Romero (5-5, 4.52):
• #7 Franklyn Kilome (2-4, 4.52):
• #9 Ranger Suarez (4-3, 2.76): 7.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
• #14 Cornelius Randolph (.197): went 1-4 with a run scored, BB

Lakewood (43-29) postponed, inclement weather.  

• #5 Jhailyn Ortiz (.246):
• #10 Daniel Brito (.237):
• #17 Kyle Young (2-3, 3.19):
• #19 Spencer Howard (3-6, 5.25):
• #26 Simon Muzziotti (.293): 7-day DL (hand injury, in Clearwater)
• #29 Nick Maton (.266):

Williamsport (6-3) beat Mahoning Valley, 8-1, in a game that featured Alec Bohm’s NYPL debut.

Manuel Silva pitched 4.1 innings in his second start.  He was charged with an unearned run, but hasn’t allowed an earned run yet in 10.1 total innings.  He held the Scrappers to 4 hits and a walk while striking out four.  Silva was lifted after 84 pitches.  Abdullah Aris (2-0, 0.00) pitched 3.2 scoreless innings in relief and got the win.  Denny Martinez (3.00) pitched a scoreless ninth.

The Crosscutters opened the scoring with 3 runs in the third inning on Benn Pelletier’s 3-run double with two out.  The Cutters added two more runs in the fourth on Edwin Rodriguez’ 2-run HR (1).  They put the game away with 3 more runs in the sixth with 4 two-out hits – Seth Lancaster singled with two outs and stole second, Rodriguez lofted an RBI double, Matt Vierling lined an RBI double, and Keudy Bocio dropped in an RBI single.

Vierling (.500) went 3-5 with 2 runs scored, a double, and an RBI.

Jonathan Guzman had 2 hits.

Seth Lancaster (.318) went 2-4 with a run scored and a stolen base.

Edwin Rodriguez (.500) went 2-3 with 3 runs scored, a double, HR, 3 RBI, and a walk.

Catcher Rafael Marchan was finally caught stealing.

Silva picked a runner off first base.

Alec Bohm got his only hit in his second at bat.

• Alec Bohm (.200): went 1-5 with a run scored
• #18 Francisco Morales (1-0, 3.24):
• #28 Jonathan Guzman (.200): went 2-4 with a run sored, SB
• #30 Jhordany Mezquita:

Here’s the affiliate scoreboard from MiLB.

Other prospects –

• Former #10 Seranthony Dominguez lost prospect status after 45 days on the Phillies roster, everybody from 11 to 29 moves up one, and Jhordany Mezquita enters at #30.
• #25 Kevin Gowdy: not expected to pitch this season

DSL Phillies Red (7-12) DNP

DSL Phillies White (7-11) DNP

Transactions 

6/24/18–Philadelphia placed 2B Jesmuel Valentin on the paternity list.
6/24/18–Philadelphia activated RF Dylan Cozens from the 10-day DL
6/24/18–3B Alec Bohm assigned to Williamsport from GCL Phillies West.
6/23/18–Philadelphia sent RHP Pat Neshek on a rehab assignment to Clearwater
6/23/18–OF James Smith assigned to GCL Phillies East
6/23/18–Christopher Duran assigned to DSL Phillies White from DSL Phillies Red
6/22/18–Philadelphia recalled LHP Zac Curtis from Lehigh Valley

The rosters and lists are up to date as of 6/24. (I’ve got 350 players in the organization.)

• The organization’s rosters 
• The organization’s injury list 
• The organization’s Rule 5 eligibility list 

The Clearwater Threshers (35-36) beat Dunedin, 6-5 in ten innings.  Mauricio Llovera (3.88) gave up 3 runs on a hit batter in the first inning.  But after he settled down, Llovera held the Blue Jays hitless through the fifth inning, retiring 14 of 16 batters.  He walked two and struck out seven.   Continue reading Clearwater Threshers Recap – 6/23/2018 →

The Clearwater Threshers (34-36) beat Dunedin, 8-3.  Bailey Falter gave up a home run on his first pitch of the game, and then throttled the Blue Jays for five innings.  He limited them to just the one run and  five hits.  He walked none and struck out nine.  Kyle Dohy made his initial appearance with the Threshers and pitched two innings.  He struck out three and the defense surrendered an unearned run.  Blake Quinn (5.70) pitched the final two innings, gave up a run and struck out two. Continue reading Clearwater Threshers Recap – 6/22/2018 →

The Clearwater Threshers (33-36) beat Dunedin, 5-4.  Connor Seabold was perfect thru his first five innings.  He gave up 3 singles to load the bases to start the sixth, and a couple runs scored on a sac fly and a ground out.  He retired the final 6 batters he faced.  He finished with no walks and 6 strike outs.  Jakob Hernandez (3.31) struck out 2 in a one-hit inning. Addison Russ made his first appearance and was a little amped.  He was throwing 93-95 but not with his normal command.  He gave up a two-run HR and left with the bases loaded and two out.  Aaron Brown (5.51) got the final out and his 3rd save. Continue reading Clearwater Threshers Recap – 6/21/2018 →

The Clearwater Threshers (32-36) lost to Bradenton, 9-1, and finished the first half in fourth place.  Nick Fanti (3-3, 7.22) got rocked in the second inning.  He gave up 8 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks in 1.1 innings.  The one out he recorded in the second inning was on a pickoff.  Felix Paulino (3.00) allowed the inherited runner to score when he gave up a HR in the inning.  He went on to pitch 3.2 innings.  Grant Dyer pitched two one-hit, scoreless innings and struck out three.  Ismael Cabrera (7.16) mopped up with a one-walk inning.   Continue reading Clearwater Threshers Recap – 6/20/2018 →

The Clearwater Threshers (32-35) beat Bradenton, 5-3.  Adonis Medina had another nice start holding the Marauders to one run in six innings.  He allowed 3 hits and 3 walks, and struck out ten.  Blake Quinn (5.79) gave up one run in two innings.  Ismael Cabrera (7.63) gave up a HR but picked up his second save. Continue reading Clearwater Threshers Recap – 6/19/2018 →

The Clearwater Threshers (31-35) lost to Bradenton, 3-2 in ten innings.  McKenzie Mills (4.46) was asked to start out of the bullpen and provided four innings of one-run ball.  He allowed 6 hits, but walked just one batter and struck out five.  However, he needed 82 pitches (49 strikes) to complete those four innings.  Grant Dyer made his first appearance of the season and threw a scoreless, one-hit inning.   Continue reading Clearwater Threshers Recap – 6/18/2018 →