Minor League Roundup: Opening Night

Mar 8, 2014; Kissimmee, FL, USA; New York Yankees second baseman Scott Sizemore (24) bats in the second inning against the Houston Astros in a spring training exhibition game at Osceola County Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

The Yankees farm system kicked off its season tonight with an impressive showing. Three teams won handedly while one struggled mightily. Let’s take a look at the highs and lows in tonight’s Minor League Roundup.

TRIPLE-A

Scranton/ Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (1-0) defeat the Syracuse Chiefs (0-1) 4-1

Bruce Billings had a stellar performance in locking down the RailRiders first victory of the season. Billings went 5 innings, surrendering just one run and allowing only one walk while striking out three. The RailRiders bullpen combined for 4 innings of one-hit, shutout baseball with Matt Daley striking out the side for his first save of the season. Scott Sizemore paced the offense going 3-for-3 with Russ Canzler chipping in with two doubles and his first RBI of the year. The RailRiders square off against Syracuse tomorrow night at 5 PM for the second bout in this opening four-game series.

DOUBLE-A

Trenton Thunder (0-1) lost to the New Hampshire Fisher Cats (1-0) 6-0

Opening Day pitcher Bryan Mitchell had a forgettable outing Thursday night. Mitchell only pitched 4 innings as he was lit up in a four-run 2nd. The Thunder couldn’t figure out Blue Jays’ top prospect Aaron Sanchez, mustering only three hits in the game. Mason Williams went 1-for-4 as the lone offensive star in the game. Jeremy Bleich takes the ball tomorrow night at 7:05 PM to try to even the series.

SINGLE-A

The Tampa Yankees (1-0) defeated the Lakeland Flying Tigers (0-1) 4-0.

Top Yankee pitching prospect Manny Banuelos took the ball on opening night and pitched well in his first limited outing of the year. He lasted only 3 innings but walked just one batter while striking out three. Dietrich Enns pitched the next 4 frames locking down the win for the Yankees. Although he did strike out five batters, he showed some control problems issuing four free passes. Yankee catching prospect Peter O’Brien belted his first home run of the season. He finished the day 1-for-4 with 2 RBI and 2 runs scored. The Tampa Yankees return to “The Boss” tomorrow night for their home opener against Lakeland at 7 pm.

The Charleston Riverdogs (1-0) defeated the Augusta GreenJackets (0-1) 5-1

Opening Day pitcher Rookie Davis pitched a gem on Thursday night. Davis tossed 5 scoreless innings, striking out 5 and walking just one. First baseman Mike Ford powered the offense going 3-for-3 and scoring two runs. Luis Severino will take the mound tomorrow night for game two of this four-game series.