2016-07-04

The Phillies bats have come alive.  After averaging 3.1 runs over their first 71 games, they are now averaging 5.8 since June 21.

Their 3-4-5 hitters (Cody Asche/Maikel Franco/Cameron Rupp) combined for six hits (three homers), five runs scored and six RBI in yesterday’s 7-2 win over Kansas City, the Phillies first series win at home since taking two of three from Miami back on May 15-18. They were 0-5-1 in their last six home series.



Franco has multiple hits in five of his last six games, .440 since June 27 and has reached base in 11 of the last 12 games. Rupp has six homers over his last 19 games after hitting two in his first 32 games. For a right-handed hitter, Rupp has unbelievable power to right field. It landed in the fifth row.  Asche, hitting third, hit his homer into the upper deck in RF over Phanavision junior. Franco’s dinger was a line drive laser to left-center.

Phil-Ins



Vince Velasquez has seven wins, the most by a Phillies pitcher since Kyle Kendrick won 10 in 2014 . . . Peter Bourjos has a 12-game hitting streak, matching his career high with the Angels in 2011; has gone from .217 to .268 during current streak . . . Atlanta Braves begin three-game series at 4:05 this evening. The Braves flew in late Sunday night from Fort Bragg where they played Miami in the ESPN Sunday Night Game . . . It is the fourth July 4 game in the history of Citizens Bank Park; four wins.

5 Things

Five things to know about the Braves:

**Began the season, 0-9.

**They are 13-33 at Turner Field, the last season for that stadium.

**11 different starting pitchers have been used.

**Offense has produced the fewest runs in the majors (280).

**They have a winning record at Citizens Bank Park, 59-55.

Minor League Weekend Report
Lehigh Valley IronPigs (48-36), 3rd place, International League North Division.

Won 2 of 3 from Charlotte, 3-2, 3-10 and 8-7 in 13 innings on Sunday. In that game, LF Cedric Hunter’s RBI 1B tied the game in the 9th, C Logan Moore’s HR (3), tied again in the 10th and RF Nick Williams’ RBI single won it in the 13th. WP: 1B Brock Stassi, the 7th LV pitcher. Stassi was a pitcher in college. Williams’ HR (8) was the game-winner on Friday . . . James Russell (2-4), 7:05 tonight in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Reading Fightin’ Phils (60-23), 1st place, Eastern League Eastern Division.

Won 7th in a row with 3 weekend wins over Harrisburg. 4-2 Friday W: Tyler Viza (2-1), 7-5-0-0-2-5. C Jorge Alfaro, HR (10). 3-0 Saturday W: Mark Leiter (4-0), 6.2-4-0-0-1-5; SV: Miguel Nunez (10). 16-hit attack on Sunday produced a 12-10 win. 3B Harold Martinez, last 5 games, 6-19, 3 HR, 8 RBI. RF Dylan Cozens, last 7 games, 12-18, 13 R, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 6 2B, 15th SB. Has 23 homers, 68 RBI . . . Jeremy Bleich (4-1), 6:05 tonight at Richmond.

Clearwater Threshers (6-5), 4th, 2nd half, Florida State League North Division.

Won 2 of 3 vs. Brevard County. 6-3 W Friday: Ranfi Casimiro (7-5), 6.1-5-2-0-1-3, ending a 4-game L streak. RF Jiandido Tromp, HR (2), 4 RBI. 8-5 W Saturday: Shane Watson (3-3), 6.2-6-5-5-1-7; SV: Ulises Joaquin (7). 6-1 L Sunday night before, 9,012 on fireworks night. 2B Scott Kingery, 2 hits Sunday, including league-leading 26th 2B; has reached base in 14 straight games. C Chace Numata, 5-9 weekend, 2B, 3B. 1B Kyle Martin, 4-9, 3 R, HR (11), 3 RBI . . . Yacksel Rios (2-2), 12 noon today in Lakeland.

Lakewood BlueClaws (4-4), tie 6th place, 2nd half, South Atlantic League North Division.

Swept in 3 games by Greensboro stretching losing streak to 5 games. 2B Josh Tobias, 10-game hitting streak ended Friday. CF Carlos Duran, 5-7 weekend, 3 R, 3 SB. Sunday’s crowd was 10,011, largest in 6 seasons . . . Alberto Tirado (0-0), 6:35 tonight in Delmarva.

Williamsport Crosscutters (10-7), tie 2nd, New York-Penn League Pinckney Division.

Swept 3-game series from Batavia, 3-1, 4-1, 7-6. Weekend HRs: RF Juan Luis (2), CF David Martinelli (2), 1B Darick Hall (3) . . . JoJo Romero, #4 draft selection makes pro debut, 7:05 tonight in Connecticut.

Gulf Coast League Phillies, (6-1), 1st place, Northwest Division.

Won both games extending winning streak to 4, 3-2 vs. Braves and 4-0 at Braves.

CF Mickey Moniak, 4-7, 2 R, drove in the winning run in the 3-2 game. SV: Tyler Frohwirth (2); WP in ShO: Maurico Llovera (1-0), 6-5-0-0-0-4; has allowed 1 run in 11 IP over 2 GS . . . Will Stewart, 12 noon today vs. Pirates.

Transactions

Lehigh Valley: RHR Dalier Hinojosa, activated from the DL and optioned to LV. INF Carlos Alonzo was transferred to Reading . . . Reading: RHS Nick Pivetta, placed on DL . . . Clearwater: LHP Austin David, activated from DL . . . Lakewood: RHR Robert Tasin, released; LHP Jeff Singer transferred from Williamsport; RHS Harold Arauz, placed on DL; RHS Seranthony Dominquez, transferred from Williamsport . . . Williamsport: RHP Horace Stubblefield, released; OF Jesus Alastre transferred from GCL . . . GCL: OF EngerJimenez and RHR Yoervis Medina, released.

This Date

July 4, 1938–The Phillies move permanently from Baker Bowl to Shibe Park and lose to Boston Braves, 10-5, in first game of doubleheader. Phillies win second game, 10-2.

July 4, 1976–Tim McCarver hits a grand slam home run but passes Garry Maddox at first base and is credited with a three-run single as Phillies beat Pittsburgh Pirates, 10-5, in first game of a doubleheader at Pittsburgh.

July 4, 1979–LHP Steve Carlton ties a modern NL record with his fifth career one-hitter, 1-0, over New York. RF Elliott Maddox’ one-out double in the seventh snaps Carlton’s bid for a perfect game.  Prior to the game the Phillies disabled three starting pitchers, Dick Ruthven (elbow bone chips), Larry Christenson (collarbone bone spur) and Randy Lerch (broken right wrist).

Sunday Tweet

Rick Sutcliffe, ESPN analyst: “Coaches/players have told me how impressed they are with the Phillies. Young with talent; playing hard. Congrats Pete Mackanin & staff.”

Twitter

I can be followed @ShenkLarry

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