opening night

Hello HomeSiders,

Before I get to opening night around the minor leagues on Thursday, let's just take a look at Wednesday's action in the National League.

First, in Philadelphia, where Cole Hamels suffered a wind blown home run to Ryan Zimmerman and the Phillies lost to Washington, 1-0. Hamels was strong for 8 innings, giving up just the 1 run on 5 hits, but was tagged with the defeat due to lack of support.

Late Wednesday night in San Diego, the Astros found themselves down 6-5 heading into the 9th inning. Houston rallied for 4 runs, after 2 out and nobody on. Michael Bourn had a key hit to contribute to the rally.

Now, Thursday's action was a mixed bag, some good, some not so good.

In Moosic, Pa., the Scranton Yankees spoiled the debut of the Lehigh Valley IronPigs and J.A. Happ suffered the same fate as Hamels (that would be no run support), losing 4-0 in the opener. Kei Igawa pitched 6 perfect innings, leading Scranton's staff to a combined one-hitter.
Scranton native Ron Chiavacci will get the assignment Friday in game #2 for the IronPigs.

In Altoona, Pa., the Reading Phillies posted an 8-3 win over the Curve. Andrew Carpenter, who won 17 games for Clearwater last year, allowed only 2 runs in 5 innings to get the first victory of 2008. Will Savage made his AA debut with 2 scoreless innings, and Jeremy Slayden had 3 hits, including a triple, to lead a 12-hit attack. Lou Marson (RBI), Jason Donald (2B, 2 RBI), and Juan Tejeda (HR) chipped in with 2 hits each. Josh Outman gets the ball on Friday night.

In Clearwater, the Threshers started defense of their Florida State League Championship with a 2-1 defeat to Dunedin. Brad Lidge made the rehab start for Clearwater and surrendered a run in the first inning. Phillies first round pick, Joe Savery, pitched 5 scoreless innings, giving up 3 hits, but walking 5. Andrew Cruse gave up the deciding run on a home run to Dunedin's Brian Dopriak. Adrian Cardenas had a 3 hit game (2 doubles) for Clearwater. I am not sure who gets the start tonight (Monasterios, Garcia, Bastardo or Byrd).

The BlueClaws dropped a 4-0 decision to the Lake County Captains in New Jersey. Drew Naylor pitched well enough to deserve better, and in the third inning, where he gave up all 3 of his earned runs, two balls went off the gloves of Lakewood outfielders, so he could have got out with only 1 or no runs scored. The balls dropping was in no way reflective of the efforts of Dominic Brown and D'Arby Myers, who both gave their all. Good efforts out there, boys!! We know you will get the next one. Brown was the only BlueClaw to record 2 hits, and the team left 12 on base, including loaded bases in the 4th and 5th. Tyson Brummet will get the ball on Friday.

In Philadelphia, Ryan Howard had 2 hits and 2 walks in the Phillies 8-7 come-from-behind win over Washington on Thursday. The Phillies head for Cinncinati to take on the Reds Friday, Kyle Kendrick makes his first start of the year.

In Richmond, Randy Ruiz smacked a single and a double and drove in 2 runs for Rochester as the Red Wings beat Richmond 9-5. One of Randy's teammates on Rochester (AAA-Twins) is Bobby Korecky, also a BlueClaw alum.

Matt Maloney was scheduled to start for Louisville (AAA-Reds) in Syracuse today, but that game has been postponed by rain.

See you at the ballpark.