The Ironpig’s made a statement tonight and Drew Carpenter pitched a gem. The bullpen shows signs of life and the crowd, while announced as a sell out, topped out at 8,498.
The Noise Nation tailgate was again a success regardless of the wind and cool weather. We had a lot of food, friends and fun. Big thanks go out to Smokey Joe R. for his grilling skills and to everyone who attended.
Also want to thank Fink Ink for the great Noise Nations decals. Let me know if you would like one, we have a few left.
After the tailgate the Nation moved across the street to Pitcher’s to help out with the Ironpig’s Radio Network extended pre-game show. Matt Provence and Jon Schaffer had some trivia contests for us and a great time was had by all. Met some great people at Pitcher’s and want to make note that they do have $5 pitchers available all day every day.
Moving to the game…
Plus’s
Defense was exciting tonight. There were several highlight reel catches.John Mayberry was ON FIRE! Going 3 for 3, all doubles and drove in 2 runs, scoring 4 himself.
Tommy John and Jim Eisenreich threw out ceremonial first pitches. We also heard T.J. say on the radio that he had nothing better to do so he came to the game.. hmmm
The Pigs absolutely walked over a team they played tight in the opening series of the season.
Chiefs centerfielder Roger Bernadina was great. He danced, he waved and joked around with us. Just an overall nice guy to us tonight.
Zagurski came on to strike out 3 batters in a row with the bases loaded.
Ehren Wasserman pitched a scoreless inning.
Boo’s
The wind was a little crazy tonight. In fact our Pig flag pole bent on opening night due to strong winds. We have yet to find a replacement so if anyone has any ideas or a replacement it would be greatly appreciated.
Overall, a great day! Thanks Noise Nation.. You folks are the best!
noisenation.mlblogs.com 
I’ll see if I can come up with a replacement pole by Friday, I might be able to get it sooner though
Hmmmm, I’m beginning to sense a pitching trend.
Game 6: Mazone
Game 7: Mullins
Game 8: Manship
(rain game)
Game 9: Martis
Game 10 (Sunday) Mazone scheduled to start.
Game 11 (Monday) J.D. Martin scheduled to start.
Mazone faced Martin in game 1 and Martis started game 4 in Syracuse. Throw in a few appearances by Mathieson and also Robert Manuel for Pawtucket in both games against the Ironpigs and that’s a lot of M’s.
I dressed like I was going to a Saturday night football game in December tonight and I was still cold. At least the bats remained hot. Who is this Mayberry guy? He isn’t the same Mayberry who played here last year. I guess a winter playing baseball in Mexico paid off.
The “Cody Ransom homerun/Ironpigs victory” trend came to an end. I guess it had to sooner or later.
I’ll go on record right now and declare Brian Bocock as the best defensive shortstop in the brief history of the Ironpigs.
Well M-ayberry might have just gotten caught in the cycle of M’s this week! Ha!
Mayberry reportedly has a new swing, which may help. My uneducated opinion is that consistent at-bats are helping as well. Sitting on the bench in Philly may have stagnated him a bit last year. Nice quote from him in the paper this morning, something to the effect that, playing at home in front of the great fans is making him more comfortable and he’s seeing the ball better. Maybe it’s lip-service, but I love hearing stuff like that!
Sadly, as Ransom’s streak ended, so did mine. If I’d only had pork last night, I could claim credit, but I sampled the wing bar (sriracha, yum) after having a steak sandwich at home.
Woods cut today, Villarreal active. Always kinda liked Woods, from his days with the Angels, but I know they need to see if Oscar still has anything following his surgery/recovery.
A source I have within the Phillies organization says that Mazone and Duckworth are “on the bubble.” I cannot provide any further information or authentication, so take that for what it’s worth–just something to watch as pitchers come and go from the big club, and maybe just message board rambling.
(PS: Theory: anytime the temperature equals your starting pitcher’s age, perhaps you should consider a spot-starter?)
Dorta starting today for Maza. I like Bocock at SS as well, just wish he could get the bat on the ball more–good things might happen. The way Galvis is playing in Reading, maybe we get to see him later (much later) in the season?
I’m not going today–wife’s using the tix. I’m staying home to mow the lawn and smoke ribs for when they get home from the game. The smoking pork will help us get back to .500!
Down with WAWA, Bring back the O I N K.
I really, REALLY want to think Mayberry likes us fans. He rarely acknowledges cheers from the fans. This might be the “prospect blinders” as most veterans will wave or nod if you chant their name or cheer for them. He could be shy.. who knows.
Like the quote! brrrrr it was windy again.
Woo Hoo JOHN MAYBERRY!
Time for ANDY TRACY to hit IronPig HR # 50
.500 today?
My friend R.D., who went to the game 4/15 and will go again 5/4, asked how the “K” signs stick to the new WAWA sign?
magnets
I won’t be there either for Dog Day but I’ll be watching on tv. They just said Jake Woods is gone and Oscar Villarreal was activated from the DL. I hate seeing Woods go because he’s been consistent out of the pen and was a nice spot starter. I hope that move doesn’t come back to burn the Ironpigs.
Where did Woods go?
I guess for now he went home.