Down on the Phillies Pharm: Reading Walks Off in Grand Fashion

Here is a quick recap of what each of the Phillies minor league squads and some of their top prospects did last night as they work their way up to the big leagues.

Zach Eflin pitched seven shutout innings and struck out six Red Sox for Lehigh Valley, but his effort was wasted thanks to a blown save. Pulled after 102 pitches, Eflin watched Frank Herrmann serve up a two out, two-run home run in the eighth inning to Chris Marrero.

Eflin’s era dropped to 2.05 after allowing only four hits and walking one.

The Iron Pigs only managed six hits, most of which came from the middle of the line-up. The lone run came off the bat of Cam Perkins, who hit a solo home run in the fifth inning.

Nick Williams hit his fifth double of the season, but also struck out twice.

J.P. Crawford went 0-3, but did get his ninth walk in his last 10 games. His patience at the plate is what the organization loves and it’s one of the reasons he is Keith Law’s number two overall prospect.

Darin Ruf went 1-4 with two strikeouts and was substituted for a pinch runner. He is currently hitting .194 since being sent down earlier this month.

Catcher Andrew Knapp managed a single, raising his average to .254 in Triple-A. He was also caught stealing for the first time this year.

Lehigh Valley is scheduled to send David Buchannon (2-2) to face a Pawtucket line-up that includes prospect Rusney Castillo.

Next: Reading

Reading’s offense came to life Tuesday, but they needed an extra boost to climb over the Erie Seawolves. First baseman Rhys Hoskins hit a one-out, walk-off grand slam to win the game for the Fightin’ Phils. It was Hoskins’s only hit of the game, but he certainly made it count.

Outfielder Roman Quinn also had a big day, going 4-4 with a walk and four runs scored. He also stole two bases to give him 21 on the season.

The rehabing Cody Asche finally came to life, getting his first hits for Reading since joining the club. The left fielder hit a two-run home run as he went 2-4 with a walk and two strikeouts. His batting average is now at .167 as he tries to return to the majors for the first time this season.

Jorge Alfaro had himself an RBI single and saw his batting average remain in the .351 range.

Dylan Cozens also had a big game, hitting a three-run home run with two outs in the seventh inning to keep his team in the game. He finished the game 2-4 with three runs scored and a walk.

Starter Ricardo Pinto went six innings, giving up five runs on seven hits. Three of those hits were home runs.

The bullpen allowed four runs and two walks in their three innings in relief of Pinto.

Anthony Vasquez, who is 6-2 with a 1.82 era, will take the mound against Erie.

Next: Clearwater

Former Phillies first round pick Shane Watson struggled Tuesday despite striking out nine Manatees in five innings. The Phillies selected Watson with their compensation pick for losing Ryan Madson in free agency back in 2012.

The Threshers offense nearly came back to win this one, scoring two runs in the ninth inning but failing to finish the job. Second baseman Scott Kingery went 3-5 with two doubles and an RBI. He raised his batting average to .265 after getting 13 hits in his last 10 games. He also had his sixth error in the field.

Outfielder Carlos Tocci, the Phillies 14th ranked prospect, went 1-3 with two walks, an RBI, and a run scored.

Shortstop Malquin Canelo, the Phillies 12th ranked prospect, went 0-3 with a walk and a run scored. He leads the team with 11 errors in the young season.

Ranfi Casimiro (5-2) will face the Manatees tomorrow and will look to continue his hot strikeout rate, as he has struck out 40 batters in seven games this year.

Next: Lakewood