The Clearwater K's

Good morning, HomeSiders-

The Clearwater Threshers defeated Lakeland last night at Bright House Networks Field 1-0, and they did it with outstanding pitching (as the score indicates). Those of you who know me know I love that. The combination of 4 former BlueClaws recorded 18 strike out among the 27 outs, allowing only 4 hits, and a solo home run by Matt Spencer in the second inning was all they would need. Antonio Bastardo continues his stellar career. After a 10-0 season (9-0 with Lakewood) with a 2.14 ERA in 2007, Bastardo threw 5 shut out innings at Lakeland, striking out 10 to notch his first win of this year. Then the bullpen followed suit. Brett Harker picked up 4 outs (3 Ks), Matt German recorded 7 outs (5 Ks) and Brian Schlitter got the last one for his 3rd save of the young season. So the Threshers win a game in which they get just 5 hits. Aside from Spencer's dinger, Quintin Berry, Jake Blalock, John Urick and Fidel Hernandez had the other hits, all singles. The Threshers ended a 3 game losing streak and improved to 3-6. I think it will be Edgar Garcia for Clearwater tonight.

Clearwater was the only Phillies affiliate to win last night. Lakewood dropped a 3-1 decision to Delmarva in Maryland. Before the game, Miguel Matos, who had yet to pitch for Lakewood (and when I spoke to him, he told me he had no idea when he would do so) was placed on the DL and replaced on the roster by Ben Pfinsgraff. I had been under the impression that Ben had been released, but during spring training, we get so many lists of players, some reassigned, some disabled, some released, that I must have been confused. Pfinsgraff came into Friday's game after Jacob Diekman gave the BlueClaws 6 strong innings, giving up just 1 run on 4 hits, walking 3 and striking out 4. "Phinney" was a little rusty at the start, surrendering back-to-back doubles to the first 2 hitters he faced, and both of them scored. He settled down after that, but the 'Claws were unable to get back in it. Lakewood managed just 3 hits on the night, a single by Michael Taylor, a double for Jesus Sanchez (his first hit of the season), and a double by D'Arby Myers. My apologies to D'Arby for misspelling his name in yesterday's post. Chance Chapman will get the start Saturday night as Lakewood tries to bounce back.

Reading lost their home opener 8-4 last night to Altoona. Neil Sellers drove in all 4 runs with a 3-run home run in the 3rd inning and an RBI single in the 8th. The R-Phils collected just 5 hits, the other 3 going to Greg Golson, a double, and singles by Jeremy Slayden and Lou Marson. Pat Overholt pitched a scoreless 9th for Reading. Fabio Castro gets the ball Saturday night.

Also losing their home opener, Lehigh Valley dropped to 0-9, as the Richmond Braves spoiled the first ever regular season home game in IronPigs franchise history, winning 6-0. The Pigs have been shut out 3 times in the first 9 games and have scored a total of just 11 runs. Ouch! The 0-9 start is the worst in the International League in over 30 years. Ouch, again!! BlueClaw fans remember the 2006 BlueClaws started out 0-9, and that team won the SAL championship that year. But I am making no promises.

Last night in Rochester, Bobby Korecky came into the game with a 5-4 lead in the top of the seventh with 1 out and runners on second and third. After recording the second out of the inning on a come backer to the mound and a play at the plate, Bobby gave up the go-ahead single to Matt Watson to blow his first save this year. He stayed in the game, pitched 2 more innings and was the winning pitcher when the Red Wings rallied for 2 runs in the bottom of the 8th for a 7-5 win.

In a game I overlooked, Tuesday night in Winston-Salem, Michael Dubee made his first start for the Warthogs against Lynchburg. Dubee pitched 5 innings, giving up 4 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks, striking out 6. He received no decision in the Hillcats 7-5 win. Michael appear set up to make his second start on Sunday afternoon.

I noticed on the transaction wire last night that the Texas Rangers outrighted Robinson Tejeda to Oklahoma and he was placed on the temporary inactive list. I believe he is contemplating his future. Speaking of Oklahoma, Elizardo Ramirez is their scheduled starter Saturday.

In Saturday's action, Cole Hamels will go for the Phillies tonight against the Cubs, and Gavin Floyd gets the ball for the White Sox against the struggling Tigers.

I will be away from the computer tonight, as my wife and I head to Atlantic City to see Carlos Santana in concert.