Opening Day in the minor leagues

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (0-1) got off to a great start last night, waiting until the seventh inning to get their one and only hit of the game: a single by OF Brandon Watson. The Pigs lost to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees, 4-0, in Moosic, Pa. (batter-by-batter recap - box score). Starter J.A. Happ gave up three runs on five hits over four innings. Happ walked one and struck out four. Next game: Tonight @ SWB, 7:00 (listen).

Things went better for the Reading Phillies (1-0), who defeated the Altoona Curve, 8-3, on the road (recap - box). Righty Andrew Carpenter, who impressed the Phils' with four shutout innings against the Yankees in spring training, went five-plus frames, allowing two runs on eight hits and striking out two. OF Jeremy Slayden led the way offensively with three hits, including a triple, in five at-bats. IF Jason Donald collected two hits, including a double. IF Juan Tejeda homered and singled. C Lou Marson also had two hits. Next game: Tonight @ Altoona, 6:35 (listen).

Scores of other Phillies' affiliates:

Class A Advanced
Dunedin Blue Jays (1-0) 2, Clearwater Threshers (0-1) 1 (recap - box)

Class A
Lake County Captains (1-0) 4, Lakewood BlueClaws (0-1) 0 (recap - box)