Be sure to read to the bottom of the report.  There’s a link to an interview that should be of interest.

GCL Phillies (20-12) lost to the GCL Tigers 1-0 in 10 innings for their 6th straight loss. They are winless since coach Roly de Armas returned from the Pan Am games. Sam McWilliams rebounded from 2 losses (where he gave up 9 ER in 6.1 innings) with a solid 6.0 innings. He gave up 5 hits, a walk, and struck out four. Two of his early base runners were erased by Edgar Cabral on steal attempts. McWilliams was in and around the strike zone, needing only 66 pitches to complete his six innings. His fastball was 88-91, touching 92 on several pitches. Continue reading Box Score Recap – 7/30/2015 →

MLB Tonight confirmed that the Phillies traded Cole Hamels to the Texas Rangers.  The details announced were Hamels, Jake Diekman, and cash considerations to the Rangers.  The Phillies receive Rangers #4 RHP Jake Thompson (#60 on Top 100), #5 OF Nick Williams (#64 on Top 100), #6 C Jorge Alfaro (#69 on Top 100, #2 Catcher), #17 RHP Jerad Eickhoff, major league LHP Matt Harrison, and minor league RHP Alec Asher.  This could seriously upgrade the system, since the Phillies will have 6 prospects in the top 99.

Clearwater (59-45) closed out their series against the Bradenton Marauders with a 6-3 victory to earn a series split. Brandon Leibrandt (7-2, 2.88) gave up 2 runs in 5 innings on 3 hits and 2 walks. He ran some deep counts and threw 82 pitches before being lifted. Leibrandt also picked off a runner at second. Jesen Therrien retired the first 6 batters he faced but gave up an unearned after commiting an error to open the 8th inning. Miguel Nunez pitched a perfect 9th for his second save. Continue reading Box Score Recap – 7/29/2015 →

The Phillies completed their first move as they approach the trade deadline.  They have traded popular closer Jonathan Papelbon to the Washington Nationals for RHP Nick Pivetta.  The Phillies kicked in $4.5M this season to offset part of Papelbon’s salary.  Papelbon negotiated a guranteed $11M for the 2016 season, however $3M will be deferred to 2017.  Papelbon has been assured that he will be the closer.  Here’s a report on Pivetta from the Washington Post on July 24th.

Lehigh Valley (47-57) lost to the Scranton RailRiders 5-3.  Jesse Biddle gave up 2 runs (1 ER) on 1 hit and 5 walks in 5 innings.  He struck out four.  Cesar Jimenez blew the save in two-thirds of an inning.  Nefi Ogando came in to strand 2 runners and pitch shutout ball the rest of the way.  Aaron Altherr (.308) went 2-3 with a walk and RBI.  Brian Bogusevic and Chris McGuinness also had multi-hit games. Continue reading Box Score Recap – 7/28/2015 →

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 →

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 →