International League ( AAA ) - Durham 28 (4-6) Lehigh Valley 10 (3-4)
Allentown, PA - Coca-Cola Park
Summary :
Durham scored four runs in the first inning on three walks, a fielding error and a double.
Matt Kroon and Weston Wilson singled in the bottom of the first, Kody Clemens walked to load the bases. Jordan Luplow doubled to score three runs. Nick Podkul singled to score Luplow.
A single, stolen base and single scored a Durham run in the second inning. A double and single scored a run for Durham in the third inning.
Kody Clemens homered in the third inning.
Alex Jackson hit a two run home run for Durham in the fourth inning.
Nick Podkul singled in the fourth inning, Scott Kingery walked - they advanced on a throwing error. Matt Kroon doubled to score them both.
Durham scored three in the fifth inning including two on a home run by Osleivis Basabe. They scored five more in the sixth on a two run home run by Logan Driscoll and a three run home run by Niko Goodrum.
Simon Muzziotti singled in the bottom of the sixth, went to second on a wild pitch and scored on a single by Matt Kroon.
Durham scored another run in the eighth inning. They scored eleven more runs in the 9th against infielder Esteban Quiroz and outfielder Cal Stevenson who shared throwing the inning.
The IronPigs scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth.
At Bat : 10 R, 16 H, 5 BB, 10 K’s
Matt Kroon had four hits (three singles & double) with three RBIs. Nick Podkul had two hits (singles) and a walk. Jordan Luplow singled and doubled, he posted three RBIs. Weston Wilson had two hits (singles). Kody Clemens homered and walked twice. Simon Muzziotti had two hits (single & double) with two RBIs.
On The Hill : 28 R, 26 H, 6 BB, 12 K’s
Kolby Allard went 2.2 innings, 6 R - 2 earned, 4 BB, 5 K’s. Griff McGarry pitched 1.1 innings, 2 R, 2 H, 0 BB, 3 K. Zac Houston pitched 1.2 innings, 8 R, 6 H, 1 BB, 1 K. Tyler McKay retired the only batter he faced via strikeout. Orion Kerkering pitched a scoreless inning, 1 H, 0 BB, 2 K’s - 12 pitches - 10 strikes. Andrew Bellatti pitched an inning, 1 R, 2 H. Infielder Esteban Quiroz and outfielder Cal Stevenson pitched the ninth inning.
Did Ya Know 🧐 :
“Like many in the IL, the 'Pigs have struggled against the Bulls. Last year the 'Pigs dropped five of six down at DBAP and they have not had a winning season against the Bulls since 2016 when they won five of six. The Pigs were 43-57 all-time against Durham coming into this series.” - Sam Jellinek - Manager, Broadcasting & Media Relations - Lehigh Valley IronPigs
Link to Boxscore : https://www.milb.com/gameday/bulls-vs-ironpigs/2024/04/09/753014/final/box
Eastern League ( AA ) - Reading 9 (2-2) Portland 8 (0-2)
Reading, PA - FirstEnergy Stadium
Summary :
Portland scored a first inning run on a walk and two singles.
Jose Rodriquez walked in the bottom of the first, stole second, went to third on a throwing error and scored on a wild pitch. Gabriel Rincones Jr and Carlos De La Cruz walked - Rincones Jr scored from second on a sac fly to center field by Caleb Ricketts - the center fielder fell down catching the fly ball on the warning track 😳.
A walk, double and two singles scored three runs for Portland in the second inning.
Kendall Simmons singled in the bottom of the second, stole second and scored on a single by Marcus Lee Sang.
Portland scored a more run in the third on two singles, a fielding error and wild pitch.
Carson Taylor homered in the bottom of the third. Kendall Simmons singled, advanced to second on a ground out and scored on a single by Robert Moore.
Portland scored three runs in the sixth on a single, three doubles and a sacrifice fly.
Jose Rodriquez homered in the sixth inning.
Gabriel Rincones Jr walked in the seventh, Caleb Ricketts singled. Carson Taylor hit his second home run of the game to plate three runs.
On The Hill : 8 R, 13 H, 5 BB, 5 K’s
Noah Skirrow pitched 2.1 innings, 5 R - 4 earned, 7 H, 2 BB, 1 K. Konnor Ash went 2.2 innings, 0 R, 1 H, 1 BB, 2 K’s. Jordi Martinez pitched an inning, 3 R, 4 H, 0 BB, 0 K’s. Carlos Francisco pitched two scoreless innings, 1 H, 2 BB. Max Lazar finished the game with a perfect ninth inning - two strikeouts.
At Bat : 9 R, 10 H, 8 BB, 8 K’s
Carson Taylor hit two home runs and had four RBIs. Kendall Simmons had two hits (singles), stole a base and scored twice. Robert Moore was 2 for 3 (singles) with an RBI. Marcus Lee Sang had two hits (singles) and an RBI. Jose Rodriquez homered and walked three times, stole a base and scored two runs.
Did Ya Know 🧐 :
“The Fightin Phils returned home to First Energy Stadium to kick off their 2024 home schedule against the Portland Sea Dogs. Reading and Portland played 20 times last season and Reading held the 11-9 edge, including a 5-3 record at home. This is the first of 21 matchups between the teams’s this season.“ - Jake Starr - Reading Fightin Phils PR/Media Relations Manager and broadcaster
Link to Boxscore : https://www.milb.com/gameday/sea-dogs-vs-fightin-phils/2024/04/09/750748
South Atlantic League ( High A ) - Jersey Shore 8 (3-1) Hickory 1 (0-4)
Hickory, NC - L.P. Frans Stadium
Summary :
Justin Crawford hit a first inning home run to left center field.
Bryan Rincon was hit by a pitch in the second inning, stole second and scored on a single by Troy Schreffler. Schreffler stole second and scored on a single by Erick Brito. Emaarion Boyd doubled to score Brito.
Jordan Dissin singled in the third inning, went to third on a double by Bryan Rincon and scored on a single by Cade Fergus. Rincon scored on a groundout by Zach Arnold. Fergus stole second and scored on a triple by Troy Schreffler.
Hickory scored a run in the fifth inning on a fielder error and double.
Felix Reyes hit a home run to left center field in the seventh inning.
On The Hill : 1 R, 5 H, 3 BB, 5 K’s
Braeden Fausnaught went five strong innings in his BlueClaws debut - 1 unearned R, 4 H, 1 BB, 2 K’s. Daniel Harper went two scoreless frames - 0 H, 1 BB, 2 K’s. Jack Dallas pitched an inning, 0 R, 1 H, 0 BB, 1 K. Andrew Walling pitched a scoreless ninth inning, no hits, one walk, three ground outs.
At Bat : 8 R, 12 H, 1 BB, 11 K’s
Troy Schreffler was on fire as a hitter in spring training - he continued tonight - 3 for 4 (two singles and a triple) with a stolen base, two RBIs and a run scored. Justin Crawford had two hits (single and HR) with a stolen base and RBI. Erick Brito had two hits (singles), a stolen base and RBI. Felix Reyes homered.
Did Ya Know 🧐 :
“The BlueClaws are in Hickory for six games this week, the only six meetings of the season between the BlueClaws and Crawdads (Rangers). Jersey Shore took four of six at Hickory last year. This is one of just three series the BlueClaws will play against the Southern Division this season – Bowling Green (April 30 – May 5) and Winson-Salem (August 13-18) will both visit Lakewood later.” - Greg Giombarrese - Vice President - Communications - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
Notes :
There is no video feed of games played in Hickory but tomorrow we will have a famous photographer partner on site for photos! No site covers the Phillies minor leagues like we do 🤓.
Link to Boxscore : https://www.milb.com/gameday/blueclaws-vs-crawdads/2024/04/09/754806
Florida State League ( Low A ) - Fort Myers 5 (3-1) Clearwater 4 (2-2)
Clearwater, FL - BayCare BallPark
Summary :
Aidan Miller singled in the bottom of the first inning, stole second and scored on a single by Devin Saltiban.
Fort Myers scored two runs in the third inning on a double, single and sacrifice fly.
Ricardo Rosario doubled in the fourth inning and scored on a single by Avery Owusu-Asiedu.
Aidan Miller singled in the fifth inning, stole second and scored on a single by Otto Kemp. Kemp stole second and scored on a double by Kehden Hettiger.
Fort Myers scored two runs in the sixth inning on a walk, single and triple. They scored a run in the 8th on two walks, a wild pitch and sac fly.
On The Hill : 5 R, 4 H, 4 BB, 16 K’s
Luke Russo was very good in his pro debut - 5 IP, 2 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 9 K’s. Braydon Tucker went two innings, 2 R, 2 H, 1 BB, 3 K’s. Drew Garrett pitched an inning, 1 R, 0 H, 2 BB, 2 K’s. Saul Teran pitched a perfect inning - two strikeouts.
At Bat : 4 R, 10 H, 3 BB, 10 K’s
Otto Kemp was 2 for 3 (single & triple) with an RBI and stolen base. Avery Owusu-Asiedu was 2 for 4 (singles) with an RBI and stolen base. Ricardo Rosario and Kehden Hettiger each doubled.
Did Ya Know 🧐 :
“Pierce Bennett finished the first series with the team lead in hits (five) and RBIs (3). Keaton Anthony maintained his nine-game on-base streak dating back to 2023.” - Josh Sperber - Clearwater Threshers Broadcaster
Link to Boxscore : https://www.milb.com/gameday/mighty-mussels-vs-threshers/2024/04/09/760557
Today at the Complex : Player Development Center
Live BP : RH Chase Hopewell and RH Eury Ramos
Hopewell did an up-down session of two innings with Jorge Mendez catching him. It’s only the second or third time I’ve seen him in person - sneaky quick fastball and a change up that comes out of same downward slope slot.
Ramos is also a fastball/changeup mix right hander who delivers on a downward slope with a little about three quarters motion. His fastball had more velocity and his changeup had more drop to it however he had difficulty controlling it, perhaps due to recent inactivity. Looks like a pitcher who could get batters out at the upper levels in regard to stuff. He threw one frame in today’s session. Angel Mata caught him today.
Juan Villavicencio impressed as a hitter during the sessions - squared two pitches up on the barrel and made loud contact - one appeared to leave the yard from my vantage point however I lost it in the Florida sky so am not sure 🤪.
System Transactions :
Lehigh Valley : RHP Austin Brice released. RHP Orion Kerkering’s (#16) major league rehab assignment has been transferred to Lehigh Valley (from Clearwater). C Cody Roberts reinstated from the Development List.
Reading : RHP Noah Skirrow (# 25) reinstated from Lehigh Valley’s Development List and transferred to Reading. RHP Mitch Neunborn placed on the Development List (retroactive to 4/8).
Happy Day, Happy Baseball ⚾️
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