IronPigs' Williams continues recent tear

Triple-A Lehigh Valley boasts one of the more prospect-laden lineups in the Minor Leagues. Lately, it's been Nick Williams' turn to stand out.
The Phillies' No. 4 prospect went 3-for-5 -- falling a triple shy of the cycle -- and drove in four runs as the IronPigs thumped the Louisville Bats, 13-1, on Saturday at Coca-Cola Park.
In his last four contests, Williams has seven hits, including three homers and a double, with 11 RBIs. 

Gameday box score
"I would say I'm just being patient and realizing that I have time," Williams said. "I would say the first month [of the season], I was just rushing and rushing to do so much. I really just let up on the gas and told myself to do less, and it's been working."
Saturday's game got off to an inauspicious start for the 23-year-old as he whiffed on four pitches in the second inning. However, the experience proved valuable later on.
"I always say my first AB of the game is just a touch-and-feel, honestly," he said. "Especially if you don't know anything about the [pitcher]. I always take my first AB, not for granted, but just a little touch-and-feel and see what they have and then work from there the rest of the game."

Williams drove a two-run single up the middle in the fourth. After grounding out to the mound in the fifth, he added another RBI with a double to right in the seventh.
The IronPigs' outfielder capped his day with a home run to left -- the sixth in his last 10 games and eighth of the season -- on a 3-2 pitch from righty Alejandro Chacin. The blast came immediately after Taylor Featherston cleared the fence in left with his third long ball of 2017.
"It's always cool to be a part of [back-to-back homers], especially because the pitcher can get frustrated," Williams said. "Either you can feel really comfortable or uncomfortable after that. You never know."

While Williams has led the way by going 15-for-39 (.385) during a 10-game hitting streak, Lehigh Valley has received contributions throughout its lineup.
The International League's second highest-scoring team tied a franchise record with five home runs on Saturday, and went back-to-back twice for the first time in its history. Leadoff man Cameron Perkins and top Philadelphia prospect J.P. Crawford belted consecutive jacks in the fourth after Pedro Florimón went yard in the third.

All that offense has translated to a franchise-record 21 wins in May.
"[Hitting's] been really contagious for our team," Williams said. "Today was nice to jump out to a quick start. We've always been like the mad comeback team seemingly this season. It's just a group of great hitters on this team, hitters who just battle."
Ben Lively (6-1), the Phillies No. 24 prospect, surrendered an unearned run on five hits with seven strikeouts and two walks over eight innings for Lehigh Valley. 
Louisville starter Ismael Guillòn (0-1) was tagged for six runs on seven hits with a walk and five strikeouts over 3 1/3 frames