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For the third straight season, the Triple-A affiliate of the Phillies, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, came out on the losing end to the Yankees affiliate, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Railriders. Following a dramatic walk-off win on Friday night in which catcher Nick Rickles got the game-winning hit in the bottom of the 13th inning to force a game 4 in the best-of-five series, the IronPigs were just one out away from pushing the series to the maximum. Closer Pedro Beato was on the mound facing Railriders center fielder Shane Robinson.  Former Phillies prospect Quintin Berry pinch ran at second base.  With Berry in motion, Robinson stroked Beato's pitch up the middle.  Pigs' shortstop Dean Anna fielded the ball, threw to first base too late to make the out.  An aggressive Berry made the most of the moment, darting toward home and scoring to tie the game at 2 runs apiece. The IronPigs failed to mount any offense in the bottom of the 9th. Moving into extra innings f...

Nick Rickles, image- Jay Floyd Backstop Nick Rickles has been a key contributor this season for the Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs, not only at the plate, but also by helping to lead a promising pitching staff. Through 42 games, the 28-year-old righty hitter sports a .239 average with five home runs and 16 RBI. In his pro career, Rickles has played in the Athletics and Nationals organizations.  He joined the Phillies last season as part of a trade from the Nats. Last week I talked with Rickles about a pair of IronPigs All-Star hurlers, being a new father, his hockey fandom, a particular big name NBA standout and more.  Read ahead for that full interview... -Hey, how's fatherhood for ya? So far so good.  Sleep's kind of a reward at this point, but at the same time it's all new, so there's really no patterns.  She's five months old now.  You know, my wife's been the back bone for sure.  She's definitely taken the lead in (parenting), which...