Skip to main content

IronPigs and R-Phils Triumph

A Friday night double dip of minor league playoff action brought a pair of wins to the Phillies organization as the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs downed the Pawtucket Red Sox in extra innings and the Double-A Reading Phillies romped the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

Brandon Moss powered the IronPigs to a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five opening round of the International League playoffs. After trailing the PawSox 1-0 after the top of the 1st inning, Moss, a former Red Sox farm hand, pulled the game even with a solo homer in the bottom of the 2nd.

In the following frame, the 27-year-old Moss gave the 'Pigs a 2-1 lead, driving in Scott Podsednik with a double. Kevin Frandsen attempted to score on the same play, but was gunned down at the plate.

Starting pitcher Ryan Edell, who has been great at Coca Cola Park (5-1, 1.98 ERA in 8 regular season games), put forth a solid effort, allowing 1 run in 5 2/3 innings but did not figure in the decision.

The IronPigs held their lead until righty reliever Phillippe Aumont allowed an RBI double to Daniel Nava in the 8th inning, which marked the second consecutive night that Aumont afforded his opposition a run in 1 inning of work.

The game remained in a deadlock through regulation and headed into extras. After Pawtucket failed to score in the top of the 10th, Moss stepped up once again to put an end to the contest and send put the 'Pigs in total control of the series with an RBI single that brought home Freddy Galvis.

Right-hander Justin De Fratus worked an impressive 2 innings, striking out 5 batters and earning the win. The 23-year-old De Fratus notched a save in Thursday's game 1 victory.

The series returns to Rhode Island on Saturday, with the PawSox needing to win three straight to prevent Lehigh Valley from going to the Governors' Cup finals.


In Manchester, New Hampshire, the R-Phils entered the night down 1-0 in the opening round of the Eastern League playoffs. Reading rode exceptional pitching from right-hander J.C. Ramirez and some explosive bats to a convincing victory that tied the series.

Ramirez, 23, controlled the plate and proved confusing to Fisher Cats batters, who were held without a hit until the 6th inning. Ramirez, who was among a group prospects the Phillies acquired from Seattle for Cliff Lee in 2009, has struggled at times this season, but has shown serious glimpses of domination on occasion as well.

The native of Nicaragua, Ramirez, held New Hampshire scoreless through 6 innings, allowing the lone hit and 2 walks while striking out 6 batters to earn the win.

The offense was led by center fielder Derrick Mitchell, who recorded a double and a triple while driving in 5 runs for the winners. Mitchell, a 23rd round draft pick in 2008 by the Phillies, cooled down considerably in the second half of the season (.220 batting average after All-Star break, compared to a .288 mark before the break), but has picked the right time to heat back up.

A bases loaded triple in the third inning by the 24-year-old Mitchell put the R-Phils up 6-0.

Mitchell's 3-for-5 night fell a homerun shy of the cycle. Shortstop Ozzie Chavez and catcher Tuffy Gosewisch pitched in with three safeties each as well.

Already up 7-0 heading into the 7th inning, Reading added 4 more runs as Matt Rizzotti drove in a run on a bases loaded ground out, Mitchell plated two more with a double and Gosewisch doubled to drive in Mitchell.

New Hampshire managed to tag Reading relievers Chris Kissock and Derrick Loop for 1 run each, however the Toronto affiliate was unable to overcome their massive deficit and fell, by an 11-2 final score. The win for the R-Phils was their first postseason victory in 10 years and one day.

All tied up, the best-of-five series moves to Reading's FirstEnergy Stadium for Game 3 on Saturday night at 7:05. Game 4 is set for 6:05 PM, Sunday.

______________________________________________

You can follow PhoulBallz on Twitter by clicking HERE.

You can also connect with PhoulBallz on Facebook by clicking HERE.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Eric B Needs to be Cut (and My Name is Rakim)

While the Phillies are on a hot streak this month, one player on the team is not. Eric Bruntlett is 1-for-12 in July. Since the start of May, Bruntlett's apex in batting average has been .167 on June 14th. Bruntlett's ineptitude can be tolerated no longer. Get rid of this guy NOW! Eric B. is the 2009 Endy Chavez. Remember Endy...the guy who in 2005 managed just 2 hits in his final 42 games played as a Phillie? That is about the sort of output the Phillies are getting from Bruntlett, and it's time to fix this void. Julio Lugo was designated for assignment last week by the Red Sox and is expected to become a free agent. The Metropolitans are rumored to be interested. Why wouldn't the Phillies be interested in a guy who could surely outhit Bruntlett? Lugo was hitting .284 through 37 games played this season with Boston. Suspended Lehigh Valley IronPig Pablo Ozuna is eligible to return next Wednesday. Ozuna is batting .294 through 51 games at triple A. Miguel Cairo is also...

Yankees Fans Misled By Pepsi Promotion

**** Today, New York Yankees fans attended a Pepsi promotion in Times Square hoping for chances to win opening day tickets to the new stadium, but the tickets, which were difficult to track down due to poor organization on Pepsi's part, were actually for a game in June. Furthermore, the 250 pairs that were promised were actually only 100 pairs. The fans, who were made to sprint through traffic over multiple city blocks when locations for the promotion changed, quickly turned against the soda brand by pooring out their beverages and chanting anti-Pepsi phrases. Yankees fans are even threatening a boycott of Pepsi. An appearance by Yankee great Goose Gossage could not even settle the angry mob, as he had to be whisked away, as a precaution, according to the Daily News . Ooo , I'd hate to see what "the worst fans in sports" (Philadelphia fans) would have done to their free Pepsi cans and beloved reliever in that situation. Because this happened in a non-Philly city, th...

5th spot, Wall, Old timers, Links

The race for the Phillies' fifth starter spot is still on. While it's not fully fair to compare Grapefruit League stats, when some of the pitchers have had "B game" and scrimmage outings mixed in, Kyle Kendrick and Carlos Carrasco look to be falling behind Chan Ho Park and "Jay" Happ. Happ added to his solid Grapefruit League stats (2.45 ERA, 1.09 WHIP in 4 games) today against the Rays. Pitching coach Rich Dubee had been displeased with Kendrick even before he surrendered 8 earned runs in 3 innings of work yesterday against the Braves. Park has been working on improving his change up, with (Coach) Jamie Moyer. Park noticed Moyer's location control on his change, so he sought out Moyer to teach him the grip and positioning of the ball. Moyer, of course, feels good about helping anyone on the Phils' staff. Park has been coached by greats like Nolan Ryan with the Rangers and Sandy Koufax with the Dodgers, so Moyer is in great company. Park is working h...