Notes on trade deadline, weekend series win, dominating Astros, minor league games

Trade Deadline
Time is winding down as the MLB non-waiver trade deadline is 4 p.m. a week from today.
According to various sources, the deadline was first instituted on June 23, 1923. A few years later it became June 15. It was moved to July 31 in 1986. For most of the years when it was June 15, the specific deadline was midnight, Pacific Coast Time., which made for some long nights.
Phillies pro scouts turned in their first round of reports about 10 days ago, all full season minor league clubs and every big league team. Following Matt Klentak’s direction, the pro scouts will continue to double back on these teams up until the deadline.
The amateur scouts continue their summer coverage of high school showcases and college summer leagues. They will also help with pro coverage of the short season leagues that began following the June draft.
Idea is to provide Klentak with a complete list of players the Phillies would be interested in on every club from the majors to the short season teams.
Weekend Notebook
Phillies have scored 5 or more runs in 7 straight games for the first time in a single season since 2005 when they had an 8-game run . . . Jerad Eickhoff picked up his second win with a 5-hit day. On the mound he allowed 3 hits (2 runs). In the batter’s box, he had a pair of singles (1 run) . . . All four of Nick Williams homers have been to the opposite field. He’s reached base in 15 of his first 17 big league games . . . Odubel Herrera is hitting .349 this month . . . Pat Neshek hasn’t allowed a run at home, 23 consecutive appearances . . . Luis Garcia has a 17.1 inning scoreless streak, holding the enemy to a .119 average . . . Brewers are glad to get away from Pennsylvania teams. Last 10 games: 3–7 vs. Phils (2–1), Pirates (0–4), Phils (2–1).
Oh, Brother
Powerful Houston Astros begin a three-game series tonight at CBP . . . 65–33 record is best in the AL . . . They lead their division by 17 games . . . 35–12 record on the road is baseball’s best . . . They also lead MLB in runs (574), hits (987), doubles (215), home runs (161), total bases (1,701), batting average (.291), slugging (502) and OPS (.858) . . . Their run differential (+169) is the AL’s best.
Down on the farm
Lehigh Valley, International League North Division, 2nd place
IronPigs (62–39) struck out 18 times in losing, 4–3, on a 2-out, walk-off infield dribbler in Durham . . . LF Brock Stassi, 1–4, HR (#2), RBI. DH Andrew Pullin, 2–3, 2B, RBI . . . ND: Ben Lively, 8–7–3–3–2–6, HR, HB. LP: Yacksel Rios . . . Zach Eflin (1–2), 7:05 tonight at home vs. Gwinnett.
Reading, Eastern League East Division, 3rd place
Fightin Phils (54–44) led, 7–0, after 4 innings before Erie erupted for an 8-run T5 which sent the SeaWolves on their way to a 12–8 win; Erie hit 6 HR . . . CF Carlos Tocci, 3–5, R, 2B, 5 RBI, SB; hitting .317. RF Zachary Coppola, 2–3, 3 R, 2 BB, SB. LF Jiandido Tromp, 2–5, R, SB. DH Angelo Mora, 2–4, 2 R, 2B, BB. 2B Drew Stankiewicz, 1st AA HR . . . LP: Shane Watson (3–5) . . . Tyler Viza (6–7), 7:05 tonight vs. Altoona.
Clearwater, Florida State League North Division, 4th place
Threshers (14–14, 2nd half; 38–32, 2nd place, 1st half) lost, 9–2, in Bradenton getting out-hit, 17–7 . . . CF Mark Laird, 3–4, SB, assist (home plate). 1B Wilson Garcia, HR (9), RBI . . . LP: JoJo Romero (2–2), 4–12–7–5–1–1, HR, pick off (lst) . . . Ranger Suarez (1–0), 6:30 tonight in Bradenton.
Lakewood, South Atlantic League North Division, 6th
BlueClaws (13–17, 2nd half; 40–30, 2nd place, 1st half) were edged, 3–2, in Charleston . . . SS Arquismedez Gamboa, 2–4, R, 3B. 1B Darick Hall, 2–4, R, HR (19), RBI (73) . . . ND Nick Fanti, 6–6–2–2–0–3, HR; tossed no-hitter in previous start which was also against the RiverDogs, who got 2 runs in B1 on a walk and 4 singles. LP: Jake Kelzer (0–1) . . . Sixto Sanchez (4–3), 7:05 tonight in Charleston.
Williamsport, New York-Penn League Pinckney Division, 3rd place
Crosscutters (18–13) tied the game in B9 on a 2-out RBI hit by 1B Austin Listi before losing in 10 innings to Auburn, 7–4, despite out-hitting the Doubledays, 13–6 . . . Listi, 3–5, R, HR (2), 3 RBI. CF Adam Haseley, 2–4, R, 2 2B. LF Josh Stephen, 2–5, 2B, RBI . . . ND: Julian Garcia, 4–2–4–4–4–4. LP: Randy Alcantara (1–1) . . . Luis Carrasco (1–0), 7:05 tonight vs. Auburn.
Gulf Coast League Northwest Division, 2nd place
Phillies (12–10) had a day off . . . Double-header (7-inning games) at 11 this morning vs. Tigers East at Carpenter Complex.
