Phillies Nation was honored to have Larry Shenk join the ranks of our regular contributors during this past off-season. "The Baron" is the former Philadelphia Phillies head of community relations, a role in which he served the organization for more than four decades. Larry is also a 2018 inductee to the Delaware Sports Museum and Hall of Fame. In addition to the Phillies alumni and history work which Larry has been sharing with readers here at Phillies Nation, his "Minor League Report" pieces will now also run with us all during the season as well. ____________________________________________ Lehigh Valley, International League North Division **IronPigs (0–1) dropped a 4–2 decision to the Rochester Red Wings before a crowd of 9,290 . . . LV was held to 3 singles while striking out 16 times. Both runs came on the first inning on an RBI by 3B Mitch Walding and a wild pitch . . . LP: Cole Irvin (0–1), 5–4–2–2–3–5. He was followed by Edgar Garcia, 2–2–2–2–1–1, Tom Windle, .1–0–0–0–2–0 and Austin Davis, 1.2–1–0–0–0–3 . . . Jerad Eickhoff was scheduled to start but a change was made in case he’s needed in Philadelphia over the weekend against the Twins. Friday’s weather forecast is iffy . . . Reliever Yacksel Rios is on the injured list (abdominal strain) . . . Enyel De Los Santos, 7:05 tonight vs. Rochester. ___________________________________________ Reading, Eastern League East Division **Fightin Phils (1–0) blanked the Portland Sea Dogs, 4–0, before 7,368 fans. Four pitchers combined on a 2-hitter and 13 strikeouts — Ramon Rosso (W, 1–0), 5–2–0–0–2–4, Luke Leftwich, 2–0–0–0–0–3, Trevor Bettencourt, 1–0–0–0–1–3 and Addison Russ, 1–0–0–0–0–3 . . . Offensively Reading had 9 hits and 15 strikeouts. 2B Luke Williams and DH Grenny Cumana, 2 hits each; C Austin Bossart, 1 H, 2 RBI; RF Adam Haseley and CF Mickey Moniak, each doubled (4 AB) and walked; Moniak’s double scored the first run . . . Adonis Medina, 6:00 tonight in Portland. ___________________________________________ Clearwater, Florida State League North Division **Threshers (0–1) fell to the Dunedin Blue Jays, 11–2 . . . LP: Spencer Howard (0–1), 4.1–5–3–3–1–7; all runs came in the 4th inning . . . DH Edgar Cabral, 2–4, HR, 2 RBI; RF Simone Muzziotti, 2–4; CF Ramon Quinn began a rehab assignment, 1–3, BB . . . Dunedin was the home team. The Jays stadium is being renovated so their home games will be played at Jack Russell Stadium plus a few other parks such as Spectrum Field . . . Same two teams, 6:30 tonight at Spectrum Field, Damon Jones. Threshers will be the home team. ___________________________________________ Lakewood, South Atlantic League North Division **BlueClaws (0–1) lost their opener, 9–4, to the Hickory Crawdads . . . LP: Colton Eastman (0–1), 4–7–6–6–1–5 . . . Lakewood was held to 4 singles . . . Game #2, 7:05 tonight vs. Hickory, Jack Perkins. ___________________________________________ **Extended Spring Training Over 90 players are part of this program at Carpenter Complex. Included are players rehabbing from injuries or surgery. Beginning Monday, Phillies will play two games per day against other XST programs, Yankees, Blue Jays and Tigers. Games are Monday through Saturday, normally 1 p.m. but 10 a.m. on Saturdays. No games on Sunday. XST ends June 6. Williamsport and two Gulf Coast League teams will begin their seasons in June. ___________________________________________ Larry Shenk is author/editor of the Phillies.com Alumni section and provides regular Minor League Report pieces from his Phillies Insider blog. Phillies Insider pieces re-printed at Phillies Nation by permission of Larry Shenk. Phillies Alumni pieces with by his permission along with approval from Major League Baseball and the Philadelphia Phillies. MORE FROM PHILLIES NATION: Phillies Nation Top 20 Philadelphia Phillies prospect rankings Philadelphia Phillies minor league affiliates 2019 season preview David Robertson: "I've been sucking out there" Matt Veasey's 2019 Philadelphia Phillies preview and predictions Top 10 Philadelphia Phillies home runs in Citizens Bank Park history Who's your daddy? Bryce Harper, that's who! Phillies Nuggets: Major League Baseball 2019 preview and predictions