I hadn’t been to a XST game in a couple weeks, so I was surprised to see Jake Sweaney starting in center field. Cord Sandberg was in right, Mitch Walding was at third, and Andrew Knapp was one of the designated hitters. Left-hander Denton Keys got the start. Continue reading XST Phillies; April 26, 2014 →

After Friday’s wild extra inning game, Ethan Stewart and Lakeland’s Edgar De La Rosa locked up in a pitchers’ duel Saturday night. The teams battled into extra innings again when the Threshers scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth to tie the score at two. Continue reading Threshers vs. Lakeland; 4/19/2014 →

Early in the game, it looked like another tough night for the Threshers and their fans. The Flying Tigers chased starter Jeb Stefan in the fourth inning as they sprinted to a 7-0 lead. After 5 innings the Tigers were still up 7-2. But the Threshers kept applying pressure until they completed their comeback and tied the game and then took the lead in the 7th inning. The Tigers rallied to tie in eighth inning. The Tigers finally prevailed 9-8 in 13 innings. Continue reading Threshers vs. Lakeland; 4/18/2014 →

Cole Hamels made what is thought to be his last rehab start against the Lakeland Flying Tigers last night.  It is believed that he will be joining the Phillies on their upcoming 10 game western swing.  Hamels threw well for 7 innings.  He faced 23 batters and threw 81 pitches, 57 for strikes. Continue reading Threshers and Hamels; 4/17/14 →

When I arrive at these games, I have to decide which one to watch.  I look for prospects or rehabbers or starting pitchers.  Lately, I’ve been drawn to the Aaron Altherr game.  Today, Drew Anderson was warming up for the game on Ashburn Field.  Since I couldn’t remember seeing pitch before, I decided to watch that game.  Good choice.  The Phillies won 3-0, and Anderson and Jonathan Musser combined for a 3 hit shutout. Continue reading XST Phillies vs. Yankees; April 14, 2014 →

Along with two Flyers games I managed to watch a Threshers’ game and 3 XST games.  I think I saw about 6 runs scored in the 4 baseball games.  I saw way to many errors and fielding mistakes during the same period.  I probably saw close to 400 pitches … just by pitchers in the Phillies organization.

First, the Threshers. Continue reading Clearwater Round-up thru April 12, 2014 →

This afternoon, we enjoyed one of the many quirky promotions that you encounter in minor league parks – Bark at the Park.  Afterward, we were treated to a Cole Hamels’ start for the Threshers.

Hamels’ second pitch was rocketed over the right field wall by Jays’ star Dwight Smith, Jr. In the third inning, Hamels hit the number 9 batter in the heel while ahead in the count.  He proceeded to pick the runner off first base.  Good thing, too.  Smith followed with another bomb over the wall in right center.

Including a single off the shortstop (I had scored it E6), Hamels line was – Continue reading Cole Hamels vs. Jays at Bright House; April 6, 2014 →

The Threshers faced JA Happ on a rehab assignment tonight. Happ proved to be a formidable foe for the young team.  Happ retired the Threshers in order in 3 of his 5 innings.  He allowed 2 runs on 3 hits and a walk. He struck out five.  In the 4 innings after Happ exited the game the Jays bullpen limited the Threshers to 2 hits and a walk.

Meanwhile, The Jays greeted starter Jon ProsinskI with 4 consecutive hits in the first inning.  ProsinskI settled down and got out of the inning allowing only 2 runs.  Continue reading Threshers at Dunedin; April 5, 2014 →