Pharm Phocus: Franco homers again

Mar 4, 2014; Clearwater, FL, USA; Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco (74) bats in the fourth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Bright House Field. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

WILLIAMSPORT CROSSCUTTERS:

Williamsport’s offense failed once again as the Batavia Muckdogs took Monday’s game 3-0.

Brandon Leibrandt allowed 11 hits and three earned runs in his start as he took his third loss.

Edubray Ramos was much better in relief.  He tossed three shutout innings while striking out three.  He has a win, two saves and 17 strikeouts in 17.2 innings with a 1.02 ERA.

LAKEWOOD BLUECLAWS:

The Lakewood BlueClaws were off Monday, but return to action on Tuesday to start their final home series of the season.

Tyler Viza, just 19-years-old, gets the ball against the Hickory Crawdads.  He is currently 3-16 with a 5.15 ERA.

CLEARWATER THRESHERS:

Clearwater had the day off Monday, but the Threshers play again Tuesday.

Mark Leiter will make his 10th start for the Threshers.  He has a 4.91 ERA with a 3-4 record.

READING FIGHTIN’ PHILS:

The Reading Fightin’ Phils outhit the Portland Sea Dogs 7-6 in Monday’s game, but they stranded nine runners and were shutout 3-0.

Severino Gonzalez went six innings in his start, allowing three earned runs of six hits while striking out three.  He allowed his 23rd home run this season and owns a 4.72 ERA.

Kyle Simon pitched two scoreless innings of relief while walking one and striking out a pair.

Jake Fox served as designated hitter and went 2-for-3 to extend his hitting streak to eight games.  Fox, 32, is batting .322 with Reading.

LEHIGH VALLEY IRONPIGS:

Brad Lincoln (6-11, 5.26) gave up ten hits and four earned runs to the Syracuse Chiefs as the Lehigh Valley IronPigs fell 5-3 Monday night.

John Mayberry, Jr. went hitless in four at bats during another rehab game.

Maikel Franco continues to make a case for himself to be a September call up.  The third baseman went yard with a two-run home run in the fifth inning, giving him four homers and nine RBIs in his last ten games.  Franco, 22, has 15 round trippers for the Pigs this season.

Cuban flamethrower Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez was solid in two innings of relief Monday.  Gonzalez kept the bases clear and struck out two as he recorded six outs on 19 pitches.