Phillies Prospect Watch: Strong Hitting, Bullpen Woes

Phillies affiliates went 0-for-4 on Thursday, May 13, their bullpens exploited early and often despite receiving plenty of support from their offenses in the form of extra base hits.

While Triple-A Lehigh Valley managed 11 runs, center fielder Steward Berroa (3-for-6, two doubles) accounted for their only extra base hits. Much of the rest of the IronPigs’ damage came from walks, including three from shortstop Christian Cairo (2-for-2, two singles).

Pitching proved the difference, however, with reliever Genesis Cabrera shelled for eight runs in the third inning, and the IronPigs lost 13-11.

Double-A Reading lost 3-2 in seven innings as part of a planned doubleheader, but wet grounds postponed the second leg until May 15. Bryan Rincon tripled and Aroon Escobar doubled as part of a two-run fourth, but reliever Andrew Baker gave up two in the sixth to blow the save and the game after five innings of one-run ball out of right-hander Braydon Tucker.

High-A Jersey Shore continued the run of tough luck with a 3-2 loss, center fielder John Spikerman (2-for-4 with a triple) and second baseman Nick Biddison (2-for-4 with a double) picking up the BlueClaws’ two extra-base hits. University of Pennsylvania product Ryan Dromboski rebounded after a brutal performance in his promotion to Reading last week; the right-hander allowed two runs over six innings for Jersey Shore, striking out six batters.

Center fielder Matt Humphreys (2-for-4 with a solo home run) led the way for Single-A Clearwater. Catcher Alirio Ferrebus (1-for-4), rehabbing Triple-A outfielder Gabriel Rincones Jr. (2-for-4) and first baseman Nolan Beltran (1-for-4) all doubled, but the Threshers lost 8-6.