Around the Minors

Here’s a look at last night’s action in the Phillies minor league system:

Lehigh Valley – The Iron Pigs dropped their game with Scranton/WB, 5-4, but had some more encouraging signs in the loss. Lou Marson went 3-for-4 with a run to bump his average all the way up to .303, an impressive plateau considering he hit just .232 through May. Marson has been on an absolute tear lately, collecting 17 hits in his last 35 AB. The power is still largely absent, as his season’s slugging percentage sits at just .377, but with a good batting eye and an ability to spray singles across the field Marson is beginning to cash in on some of the offensive potential scouts saw in him.

Kyle Kendrick had another productive outing last night, going 6.1 innings and giving up 3 runs on 5 hits and a pair of walks, but did not factor in the decision. He struck out 4 in the game and his ERA is now at 3.51. With another month of consistent success at triple-A he could very well find himself pitching again at CBP before season’s end.

Reading – Another night, another impressive display from R-Phils outfielder Michael Taylor. Last night Taylor, who was recently named Eastern League Player of the Month for June, collected three more hits, including a double and an RBI as well as a walk. He moved his average back up to the .340 mark as Reading beat Harrisburg, 10-2. Yohan Flande had another turn in the rotation but only went two innings before being relieved by Alex Concepcion, who pitched 4 sterling innings to earn the win. Flande allowed one run on 3 hits in his two innings, and there is no word whether he was pulled due to injury.

Clearwater

– The Threshers had their game against Brevard County postponed, and considering the doubleheader shutout from the day before that might be good news for Clearwater.

Lakewood – The Blue Claws beat Kannapolis, 7-5, sparked by a two-run home run from catcher Travis d’Arnaud in the third inning. D’Arnaud also walked three times and scored three runs. DH Jim Murphy had two hits and knocked in three runs in the win. Justin De Fratus gave up 4 runs (2 earned) in 5.1 innings to earn the win for the Blue Claws.

Williamsport – Last year’s first-round pick Anthony Hewitt has been showing flashes of the ability that made him an early selection in the draft. Last night was no different, as he went 1-for-4 with an RBI triple and a stolen base, his fifth of the short season. The Crosscutters, however, lost 6-3, with all the runs charged to Jonathan Pettibone in his 3.2 innings of work.

Gulf Coast League – The GCL Phillies beat the Yankees, 5-3. This year’s top pick, Kelly Dugan, was 1-for-4 with an RBI double. SS Jason Donald, on a rehab assignment in the rookie league, went 0-for-2 with a strikeout.