Minor Leagues: Carrasco Dazzles In First Start

Carlos Carrasco is the big name, but really, a few Phillies prospects had encouraging starts to the 2009 season in the minors.

• First, Mr. Carrasco surrendered just four hits over six innings, striking out four and walking none. He threw 60 of his 85 pitches for strikes, inducing eight ground outs to six fly outs. The IronPigs lost in 11 innings to Scranton-Wilkes Barre, but Jason Donald had two hits. Mike Koplove picked up the loss, while Gary Majewski threw two scoreless innings.
• In Reading, Joe Savery made his first start and simply shut down Harrisburg. He gave up a solo home run, but struck out eight in six innings while allowing four hits. The Phils won with a two-run eight-inning rally sparked by Michael Taylor and Brian Stavisky (each 2-for-4).
• The Clearwater Threshers won 10-7 over Dunedin. Drew Naylor gave up two earned runs in five innings, but the offense broke out, with Joel Naughton collecting two hits and Matthew Rizzotti getting three hits. One of Naughton’s was a grand slam. Dominic Brown and Freddy Galvis each scored twice.
• Lakewood lost to Delmarva, 3-1, as Jason Knapp gave up two earned in 5.2 innings. Still, he struck out 10. Jim Murphy added two hits and second baseman Jesus Villegas Andino homered.