Opening night

It is opening night for 4 Phillies affiliates tonight, all at home. Tyler Cloyd will get the ball in Lakewood, Kyle Drabek gets the assignment in Clearwater, Tyson Brummett will be Steve Roadcap's ace in Reading, and Kyle Kendrick, winner of 21 major league games in a year and a half, gets the honor in Lehigh Valley. I will be in Lakewood, where we will be alright if the wind is gentle!

We do have a major league assignment today at 1:30- on YES-Baltimore's Alfredo Simon gets his 2009 debut against the Yankees. The addition of these major league games to seek out is getting fun.

And , yesterday, we were taught the basic lesson of baseball once again, as Gavin Floyd pitched 7 strong innings for the White Sox, giving up just 2 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks, 9 strike outs. Unfortunately for Gavin, the White Sox did not score and the Royals triumphed, 2-0. A loss for Floyd, but he clearly pitched well enough to win, keeping his team in the game through 7 innings. The basic lesson of baseball I was talking about: Nobody can win when his team does not score!!


Sometimes, no matter how many runs you score it is not enough. Just ask the Atlanta Braves. The Braves, who had stifled the Phillies for 2 games, took a 10-3 lead into the bottom of the 7th inning, when the Phillies offense came through with 8 runs, exactly half of them on bases loaded walks, and Philadelphia held on for their first win of 2009, by a score of 12-11. Ryan Howard had a double, his 1st RBI, and scored 2 runs, and Carlos Ruiz had a single and a walk in 3 plate appearances. J.A. Happ relieved Joe Blanton after 4 innings, throwing the fifth and sixth innings for Philadelphia. Happ allowed a 2 run homer to 22-year old Jordan Schafer, but pitched well overall, picking up 2 strike outs.

In Houston, the Cubs belted the Astros, 11-6. Michael Bourn was 1 for 4 for Houston, and has at least 1 hit in each of the first 3 games.

Tuesday's highlights

Tuesday night in Philadelphia, the Atlanta Braves made it 2 in a row over the home team with a 4-0 shut-out win. Ryan Howard (2 for 4) and Carlos Ruiz (1 for 4) had half the Phillies 6 hits.

In Houston, the Astros nipped the Cubs 3-2 in 10 innings. Michael Bourn was 1 for 4, with his second RBI in as many games.

Minor league happenings included the game between AAA Lehigh Valley and AA Reading. Over 2,700 people made their way to Reading to watch the R-Phils top the IronPigs, 7-5. Jason Donald had a triple and a home run for Lehigh Valley, while Brad Harman had 3 hits for Reading. Michael Taylor had 2 hits and 2 RBI, and Mike Spidale added an RBI for Reading.

I was lingering around the ballpark in Lakewood watching the BlueClaws work out. It is one of my favorite nights of the year, in spite of the cold, because of what it signifies: a new season. It was nice to see Tim Gradoville back in Lakewood, working with our young catchers.

Wednesday's games include Kansas City at Chicago, Gavin Floyd making his first regular season start of 2009 for the Sox.

Bourn gets 2 hits in opener

Michael Bourn, who got on a roll towards the end of spring training, was 2 for 4 with an RBI in Houston's 4-2 loss to the Cubs in their opener. He was the only HomeSider in action on Monday.

Braves win opener

Behind great pitching from Derek Lowe, the Atlanta Braves spoiled the Phillies opener last night, 4-1. Atlanta got to Brett Myers for 3 home runs in the first 2 innings, and that was enough for Lowe, who allowed just 2 hits over 8 innings, one of the hits a double by Carlo Ruiz. Ryan Howard was 0 for 4, with 2 strike outs.

Today's weather has already cancelled the game in Chicago between the Royals and the White Sox, and threatens the rest of the schedule across the country.

Antonio Bastardo

Has been moved back to Reading....apparently he and Butto had their names mixed up.

Taylor Buchholz

The Colorado Rockies placed Taylor Buchholz on the 15 day disabled list today with a strained elbow. Taylor has not yet resumed throwing and is not expected to pitch until May. We wish him a complete recovery.

Butto/Mathieson

It seems that I was wrong earlier when I said Francisco Butto would start the year at Reading, he is now on the Lehigh Valley roster. Scott Mathieson is on the IronPigs disabled list, and should remain in extended spring training until he has enough arm strength to join the team. Scott has been out almost 2 years with Tommy John surgery.