Crooked Numbers

When an offense is producing the second fewest runs in MLB, a lot of numbers pop up, mostly unattractive.

Well, here’s more.  Crooked-numbered innings.  Or, in other words, scoring more than one run in an inning.  Last night the Phillies had a four-run and three-run inning, crooked numbers.  It marked the second time they’ve done that in a game this season, the other being April 15, a two and five-run inning.  On this 10-game trip, they have 68 innings of zero runs.

It also was the fourth time they’ve scored run in three innings of a game.

Wigginton continues to swing the bat well, Pence got back in the lineup quickly and produced, Nix came out of his early-season spin and Orr drove in three runs, a first in his big league career. 

Now, the rubber game of the series with Cole on the mound.  Then, a flight home and a day off at home.  Last time the Phillies didn’t have a game was April 10.

Down On The Farm
Lehigh Valley won, 4-3, in 11 innings over Buffalo on CF Scott Podsednik’s walk-off single. 

**Reading was a 6-0 winner over Richmond, RHS Tyler Cloyd (3-0), 7 innings, 5 hits, 0 walks, 5 strikeouts.  1B Darin Ruf homered (#2) and boosted average to .400.

**Clearwater was held to no hits through eight innings (perfect game until a led off walk in the 7th) but LF D’Arby Myers doubled in the ninth and scored on CF Peter Lavin’s single for a 1-0 win over Brevard County.  Threshers’ third straight win.

**Lakewood won, 10-9, over Asheville with 3B Maikel Franco’s 8th-inning triple driving in the winning run.

Players of the Week (April 5-15)
**Pitcher:  RH Brody Colvin, Clearwater.  Was 0-0, 0.00 ERA for one start, 6 innings, 2 hits, 0 walks, 6 strikeouts Tuesday at Tampa.  He had two 3-ball accounts and averaged 93 mph.  Pitching coach Dave Lundquist’s post-game remarks: “Best I’ve ever seen him pitch.”  For the season, 0-1, 2.81 ERA, 3 starts.  The 21-year-old was selected in the 7th round in 2009 and signed by Mike Stauffer.

**Player:  1B Darin Ruf, Reading. Hit .429 in 5 games, with organization-high 7 runs and 9 hits, including 3 doubles, giving him a club-high 6 for the season).  He hit safely in 4 of 5 games, including a 5-for-5 night.  For the season, the right-handed hitter is batting .393, second in the EL.  The 25-year-old was a 20th round selection in 2009 out of Creighton University and signed by Dave Seifert.

Alumni Views
A state trooper, basketball coach, forest ranger, teacher.  Just a sampling of careers that might have happened for Phillies Alumni if they hadn’t played pro baseball.  Visit www.phillies.com/alumni for details. 

First, guess who would have been a state trooper.