Lehigh Valley (47-56) beat the Scranton RailRiders 3-1. Anthony Vasquez (7-3, 3.73) went 8 innings and gave up 1 run on 5 hits and 2 walks. Dustin McGowan picked up his 7th save.
Aaron Judge was held to 0-3 with a walk. Gary Sanchez went 1-4 but was thrown out at second trying to stretch his single by Aaron Altherr to end the game. Jordan Danks also picked up an outfield assist. Continue reading Box Score Recap – 7/27/2015
Here’s an open discussion thread so the minor league posts don’t get cluttered with Phillies’ talk and other topics.
Of primary interest at his point in the season is that the Phillies haven’t moved any of their veterans, yet. A deal for Hamels seems imminent, certainly by the end of the week. The Cueto deal shouldn’t negatively affect the Phillies since the Royals were never in the picture and Cueto is one less attractive rental available for Hamels’ suitors. Papelbon’s market seems to be shrinking. But has Francoeur become a possible addition for a team looking for a right-handed bat off the bench?
The Phillies continue to struggle as they leave the All Star break in their wake. They went into the break with a 5-game losing streak. They had completed a 1-6 West Coast trip and 2-8 road trip. They had gone 3-15 since reaching a 26-47 record after taking the first two games in a series against the Yankees on June 23rd. Their 29-62 record at the break gave them a seemingly insurmountable 9.5 game lead over Milwaukee.
The Phillies 8-1 start after the break has not only allowed the streaking Marlins to pull within 5.5 games, but has allowed other teams to creep back into the race. The #1 pick that so many fans were counting on to justify the season they are suffering through is now in doubt.
Clearwater (57-44) lost to the Bradenton Marauders 6-4. David Whitehead left after 6 inings having given up 4 runs on 6 hits. The Threshers had fought back twice to tie the game after 7 innings. But, Harold Guerrero loaded the bases in the eighth with 2 outs when the skies opened up and brought about a 2-hour delay. Miguel Nunez took the mound when play resumed and surrendered a 2-run single to the first batter he faced. The Threshers got two men on base in the ninth, but couldn’t come back again. Continue reading Box Score Recap – 7/26/2015
The big news Saturday was Cole Hamels’ no hitter in Chicago. The possibility that the game might be his last start for the Phillies, made following the game’s progress mandatory over social media. I was following on Game Day, and the Threshers’ broadcasters were giving periodic updates.
As the no-no became the story, I became less attentive to the game in front of me. Then the weather gods stepped in and the field in Clearwater was covered as a light rain suddenly increased in volume. The field had taken a lot of water over the previous 24 hours, so this was a prudent decision.
With every fan seeking protection from the rain up on the concourse, GM John Timberlake put the MLB feed of the Phillies’ game up on the big screen. So, we all got to see Hamels get the final three outs live during our rain delay.
I don’t think this will increase the return in any trade that may develop over the next week, but I’m sure it alleviated any worries over Hamels’ last two starts (which should not have decreased the return in any trade). Of note should be that Hamels FB averaged 94 MPH. Continue reading Box Score Recap – 7/25/2015
GCL Phillies (20-8) postponed, rain. Double header v. Yankees1 Saturday at 10:00AM.
Clearwater (56-42) postponed, rain. Double header v. Hammerheads Saturday at 5:00PM.
That’s a lot of baseball. The morning games are at the Carpenter Complex. The evening games are at Bright House Field. Thankfully, they’ll be seven inning games.
Lehigh Valley (45-55) beat the Syracuse Chiefs 3-2 in 11 innings. Seve Gonzalez went 6 innings and allowed 2 runs on 7 hits and a walk. Dalier Hinojosa, Adam Loewen (2.45), and Juan Gutierrez (1.71) held the Chiefs to one hit and struck out 6 over the last 5 innings. They faced a line up that included some familiar names – Darin mastroianni, Jayson Werth, and Tony Gwynn. Continue reading Box Score Recap – 7/24/2015
The big news out of Florida is a possible injury suffered by Cornelius Randolph. The Phillies first round pick was helped from the field after a collision at second base in the first game of a double header against the GCL Blue Jays.
With the game tied 3-3, Randolph walked with one out in the seventh. Luis Encarnacion grounded to short and Randolph reached second safely with a hard slide into the fielder at the bag. One pitch later he limped from the field with assistance. He did not dress for the second game although he was seen walking around the Complex. Continue reading Box Score Recap – 7/23/2015
Dylan Cozens returned to the Threshers’ line up on Wednesday. He was the DH and batted fifth behind Rhys Hoskins. It looked like Jupiter’s game plan was to feed Cozens a steady diet of off-speed pitches. He struck out his first two at bats on pitches that broke low and away. In his third at bat, he jumped on a first pitch fast ball and grounded out sharply to third. Jupiter finally made a mistake and Cozens made them pay with a tape measure shot to right in the eighth inning.
Ethan Stewart was added to the Clearwater roster from Reading. The Threshers had been carrying 24 on their roster anticipating Cozens’ return, however a cooresponding move must have been made prior to the game since they currently have 26 players on their roster 13 pitchers and 13 position players. Continue reading Box Score Recap – 7/22/2015
It was Nola Night in Philadelphia. The Phillies drew 28,703 people to the game to watch Aaron Nola make his long-awaited debut in a Phillies uniform. They even sponsored a “two-fer” ticket special – two tickets for $27.00. Nola’s number is 27. Pretty clever, eh? I’m surprised they didn’t try to boost receipts by issuing him a higher number.
Nola was impressive in his first major league start. He held the Rays to five hits and struck out six batters. He completed six innings and threw 88 pitches, 59 for strikes. Nola appeared to tire in the sixth when he went deeper in counts and walked his only batter.
Nola’s only blemish was a solo home run by the Rays starting pitcher, Nathan Karns on the first pitch of the third inning. It was one of the few pitches he got up in the early innings and was in where even a pitcher can drive it. Continue reading Box Score Recap – 7/21/2015
Bailey “falters” in GCL outing. Sorry, this phrase germinated on June 9th when the Phillies made Bailey Falter their fifth round selection in the Amateur Draft. The seed sprouted today when Falter had a shaky start against the GCL Yankees2. This was the left-handed pitcher’s second start. In two previous appearances, Falter had held the opposition to one unearned run on three hits and a walk while striking out eight. The lanky pitcher is listed at 6’4 and 175 lbs. He has long limbs but throws the ball from a tight, compact release that belies his build. It looks more toward over the top than three-quarters. He throws all his pitches from the same arm slot. Today he pitched three batters into the third inning before being relieved. He got a few of his pitches “up” and the Yankees hitters barreled them. Still, he struck out four of the six outs he recorded, all swinging. Continue reading Box Score Recap – 7/20/2015
Here’s an open discussion thread so the minor league posts don’t get cluttered with Phillies’ talk and other topics.
The Phillies returned from the All Star break and swept the Miami Marlins. The Phillies lead for the #1 draft pick was whittled down from 9.5 GB to 7.0 GB, in just three games. Let’s get Utley off the DL and back in the three-hole.
Aaron Nola makes his MLB debut Tuesday night at home against the Tampa Rays. Might be one of the largest crowds of the season.
I’m sure expectations are high. I would hope that we all rein in these expectations. I found these reports on Nola –
While we all hope he becomes a #2 starter in the rotation, it appears that may be just slightly above his ceiling. (Note: Cole Hamels is their comp for a #2 starter.)
