Dice K Warming up at CCP
Matsuzaki did what he was expected to. 5.2 innings allowing 4 runs on 6 hits with 8 K’s and no walks. I’m wondering whatever happened to the mythical ‘gyro’ ball that ESPN had been promising us when he arrived in Boston. Not a big deal, just wondering…
At least one outside media member showed up tonight to cover Dice K's Rehab start
The Pigs had an opportunity to get into this game with runners on first and second when Rich Thompson (who started in right field) hit a low curving line drive down the left field line only to be scooped by Pawtucket’s Matt Sheely. This was easily one of the better catches I’ve seen at CCP. Sheely dove hard to his right and behind him to snare the ball, saving two runs and almost doubling Bocock off of 2nd.
Plus’s
DeWayne Wise tripled and scored on a wild pitch for the Pig’s first run.
Sardinha hit a solo HR for his 4th RBI of the season.
The rain held out most of the night with just a short mist falling mid-game.
The Noise Nation flag made a triumphant return tonight with the aquisition of a new pole. The pole in its former life was a 10 foot piece of electrical conduit.
I’m running low on plus’s for tonights game and will use this opportunity to mention the Cotton Eyed Joe dance in the 7th inning stretch after singing “Take me out to the Ballgame” About 40 fans lined up on the Blue Cross Lawn sidewalk and gave it their all. Good times.. good times.
Boo’s
You know him, you love him… but Andy Tracy fell below .200 tonight. He is currently sitting on a .196 batting average. Looking for Andy to break out of this soon.
Infielder Luis Maza has also fallen below, squatting on a .188 average. Where is TJ Bohn when you need him?
The Ironpigs and MLB Network have announced the TV broadcast team for the AAA All Star game and it does not include anyone from the Ironpig’s Broadcast Team. Formerly televised by ESPN 2, the folks from Connecticut always had at least one local broadcaster do the play by play.
noisenation.mlblogs.com 
Maybe I was wrong when I said in a previous post that this may be a good time to face Pawtucket because they had 2 key players just promoted. However, as a result of those promotions, Matt Sheely moved from AA Portland to Pawtucket. His great catch in left field came in his first game with the Pawsox. He was just 1-20 .050 in AA.
Maybe those high school teams were at CCP to scout the ballpark. I’m not sure of the schedule but I think all those schools will be playing there this weekend. Games begin at 10 AM on Saturday and 11 AM on Sunday and I believe a $3 ticket is good for the entire weekend.
I don’t know if I could handle more games this week.. and on the 10th day, Dan rested! š
Despite the loss, it was a nice evening. Even the Red Sox fans behind me behaved themselves–and the rain mostly held off.
I like that Huppert’s been playing with the order a bit–moving Mayberry up and Maza down and Ransom to SS and whatnot. Is it time for the mighty Tracy to move down in the order, too? I don’t know; I’m not calling for it. At this point we’ve got to ride it out. Maybe tonight’s the night he goes off. I hope it’s right after they walk Junior to get to him.
Nice quotes in the paper from Richie this morning. He’s nicely centered about his role in this outfield at this juncture.
Feels like we need more middle infielders. Didn’t think I’d be longing for Wilson Valdez this soon in the season.
My kids love Duffy and Wise, though. There was a thing on TV last night about Wise because it’s the first time Buerle has faced the Rays since that game. They showed the spot on the wall labeled “the catch” and everything.
One more rant: baseball belongs on grass. I’m getting old and cranky and when I was watching highlights last night with baseball on turf–ooh, yuck. It’s been said before, but: kudos to the grounds staff at CCP. Watching baseball there is a joy. My father-in-law, the lawn expert, when I first took him for a game: “Is that grass REAL?” He didn’t care about the baseball or the mowing designs, just the quality of that grass!