'Claws lose in 15

The Lakewood BlueClaws got 3 home runs in the finale of the series in Greensboro, but could not hold on in a game in which they led 5-0, 6-3, and 7-4 going to the last of the 9th. Freddy Galvis (3), Mike Durant (14), and Travis Mattair (3) all homered for the BlueClaws, but it was not enough as they split the 4 game set with the Grasshoppers, losing 8-7 in 15 innings Tuesday.

Delmarva topped West Virginia, 4-3, to also split their series and the BlueClaws remain 2 games in back of the Power with 25 games remaining.

I am running out the door to work, and will try to update the other HomeSide action later today.

Carrasco shines in debut for LHV

Phillies top prospect Carlos Carrasco showed the form that has everyone in the system drooling over his ability, throwing 6.2 innings in his AAA debut, and giving up just 2 UNEARNED runs on 6 hits, receiving no decision in the IronPigs eventual 5-3 win over Rochester. Carlos threw 102 pitches, 67 for strikes, striking out 4 and surviving 3 errors made by his new teammates. Barring rain outs, Carrasco will make his next start Friday night, also at home for Lehigh Valley.

Credit for outstanding photo goes to Lynn Hoffman again.

Burn, baby, burn!!

After a night of horrors on the bus trip to Greensboro, the Lakewood BlueClaws bats were still "on fire" when they arrived at the ballpark. Dominic Brown led off the game with a home run and Lakewood never looked back, scoring 6 in the 1st, and 6 more in the 2nd, en route to a 14-5 win over the Grasshoppers. 9 different BlueClaws collected hits, with 8 of them getting 2 apiece. Brown and Derrick Mitchell drove in 3 runs each and Freddy Galvis, Travis Mattair and Mike Durant added 2 RBI each as Lakewood notched it's highest run total of the season. Chance Chapman was the beneficiary of the outburst, throwing 6 innings to improve to 7-5, 3.05 on the season. The BlueClaws are now 27-15 in the second half (65-47 overall) , and remain 2 games behind the West Virginia Power, who came from down 8-1 to defeat Delmarva 12-8, with 28 games remaining in the season. Lakewood sends Vance Worley (1-0, 2.10) to the mound a 5:00 PM today in game 2 of the 4 game set in Greensboro.

He's Berry, Berry hot!!

I just couldn't help myself, but Quintin Berry had 3 more hits Saturday night to extend the hitting streak to 18 games in the Thresher's 5-4 loss in Fort Myers. "Q" also drove in 2 runs, raising his total to 36, and his average has climbed all to way to .279. Fidel Hernandez (.238) also picked up 3 hits for Clearwater. Drew Naylor (1-6, 6.95 since promotion) got through 6 frames, allowing all 5 runs on 11 hits and 2 walks. Alex Concepcion continues to show no ill effects from that line drive to the knee, as he and Brian Schlitter each tossed a scoreless inning in relief.

I believe it is Carlos Monasterios turn today as Clearwater returns home to face Dunedin.

In Sarasota Saturday, Toms River East Little League star Todd Frazier hit a game winning home run for the Reds in the 15th inning, his 10th of the season, for the Cincinnati affiliate.

In Visalia, California, Matt Spencer pounded 3 more hits, including his 2nd home run this week as the Stockton Ports defeated to Oaks, 12-11. Spencer is 26 for 58 (that's .448) in 14 games since being traded over to the A's, with 7 doubles, 2 homers and 8 RBI.

Outman makes best start for Midland

In Midland, Texas Saturday night, Josh Outman made his 3rd start for the Rock Hounds and it was his best showing so far for his new team. Josh threw 53 pitches, 33 for strikes, and continued to stretch out his arm, giving up just 1 run on 4 hits and NO walks in the Hound's 7-3 win in the first game of a doubleheader against Corpus Cristi. Outman, who had been pitching in relief for Reading, is slowly building back up to where he can be an effective starter for the A's affiliate.

Meanwhile, in Erie, the R-Phils took a 9-0 beating at the hands of the Sea Wolves. Edgar Garcia (0-4 since his promotion) threw 6.1 innings, giving up 4 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks. Sergio Escolana gave up a run on 4 hits in less than an inning, and Pat Overholt, who has seemed totally out of sync lately, surrendered 4 unearned runs on 2 hits and 2 walks in just 1 frame.

Reading managed just 5 hits, 2 each for Greg Golson (.288) and Jeremy Slayden (.299).

AAA notes

In Allentown last night, the Rochester Red Wings defeated the IronPigs, 4-1. Jason Jaramillo (.266) was 1 for 4 for Lehigh Valley and Bobby Korecky recorded his 18th save of the year for the Wings.

Carlos Carrasco makes his AAA debut for the 'Pigs this evening.

In New Orleans, Jesus Merchan picked up 3 hits for the Tucson Sidewinders in their 8-7, 10 inning loss to the Zephyrs. Jesus had his hitting streak stopped for a couple of days, but is right back at it again for the Diamondback's affiliate, batting .340 now.

In Oklahoma City, the Redhawks defeated the Las Vegas 51s, 4-3. Elizardo Ramirez threw 6 good innings for Oklahoma, allowing 3 runs on 6 hits and NO walks, receiving no decision. Kevin Howard (.258)was 0 for 4 for Las Vegas, and has really struggled since his return from the DL last month.

Ryno belts 31st, Phillies win

Ryan Howard hit his 31st home run Saturday night, and drove in his league leading 96th RBI, to help the Phillies to a 2-1 win over St Louis. Howard is hitting .305 since June 27 and has raised his average to .239, after bottoming out at .163 on May 7.

The Phils lead the Marlins by a game and a half and the Mets by 2.