Posted by Mike Frohwirth
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) won their season (and home) opener, defeating the Scranton Wilkes Barre Yankees, 7-2. The win improved their record to 1-0, which is the first time the franchise has had a winning record. Vance Worley was the winning pitcher, throwing six scoreless innings, and allowing only four hits (one walk/nine strikeouts). Mike Stutes pitched well in relief, retiring all four batters he faced (three by strikeout). DH Brandon Moss went 3 for 4, 3B Ronnie Belliard went 2 for 4, and RF Delwyn Young and 1B Jeff Larish both homered for the IronPigs. Lehigh Valley hosts the Yankees again Friday at 7:05pm, with Nate Bump getting the start. Box score
The Reading Phillies (AA) lost on the road Thursday, falling to the Portland Sea Dogs (Boston affiliate), 4-3. Reading starter Josh Zeid took the loss, permitting all four Portland runs, in five innings of work (seven hits, one walk, five strikeouts). Tyson Brummett pitched two scoreless innings of relief (two hits, two walks, no strikeouts). 2B Harold Garcia and 3B Carlos Rivero each had two hits, and C Tuffy Gosewisch hit Reading's only homer. The R-Phils play Portland again Friday at 6pm, with 2010 Florida State League Pitcher of the Year Austin Hyatt on the mound. Box score
The Clearwater Threshers (A) spoiled Dunedin's home opener, trouncing the Blue Jays affiliate, 10-1. Clearwater's Jarred Cosart outdueled MLBer Brandon Morrow (2.1 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 4 ER), who was making a minor league rehab start. Cosart threw six scoreless innings for the win, permitting only a pair of singles (four walks/two strikeouts). Cosart did not allow a hit, until there were two outs in the fifth inning. CF Jiwan James had a pair of singles (and a pair of stolen bases), while DH Joe Savery (four hits), LF Jonathan Singleton (three hits), RF Leandro Castro (three hits), and 1B Darin Ruf (two hits) had multiple-hit games. Ruf had Clearwater's only homer. The Threshers play their home opener on Fridayat 6:30pm, hosting Dunedin. Box score
The Lakewood Blue Claws (A) won their home opener Thursday, defeating the Kannapolis Intimidators, 2-0. Mario Hollands pitched five scoreless innings for the victory, allowing only five hits (one walk/three strikeouts). Tyler Knigge (zero walks/zero strikeouts) and Eric Pettis (save, zero walks/two strikeouts) each followed with a pair of scoreless frames. Lakewood was held to only five hits, but 1B Jim Murphy's second-inning solo homer was all the Blue Claws' hurlers needed. Lakewood faces the Intimidators again Friday, in a 7:05pm start. Box score
