If you thought to yourself yesterday that it couldn’t get any hotter.. well today it did. The Time/Temperature sign registered at 105 degrees when I set foot into The Coke this afternoon. There was a lot going on today so I will try to keep this short. Photo’s of below noted events will be posted at a later time.
The evening began with the 3rd annual hot dog eating contest. Noise Nation’s own Steve Richter saw his dream come true as he was finally selected to compete (after being passed over the past 2 years). Steve made an impressive showing, coming one bite short of 8 hot dogs in 5 minutes. The winner topped out at 10 hot dogs. On a hot day like today the totals were low as last year the winner ate something like 17 hot dogs.
The Ironpig’s bats are alive and their pitching is incredible! The Pigs slapped out 12 hits for 6 runs and Brandon Duckworth threw 7 incredible innings allowing only 3 hits, 3 walks and no runs. Duckworth kept the Noise Nation busy with 10 strike outs!
Madson came on to record a hitless/scoreless inning.
Then came Savery. He promptly loaded the bases, walked one, allowed 3 hits and 3 runs. He was saved by a double play and a grounder to end the inning and the game. I did hear a “Joe Must Go” chant during this inning and I have to say I agree it is time for him to do some soul searching. Maybe Reading, maybe Clearwater, maybe a visit to Jorge Valendia in Williamsport.. anything to get his confidence and control back. How much more will the Phillies organization invest in a pitcher who suffers such heartbreaking outtings…
Another topic of conversation is that the Pigs have won 3 straight games and are looking at a possible sweep of Pawtucket tomorrow. Granted, the Pawsox aren’t the powerhouse they were a couple years ago, but still.. wins are wins. Looking back at my “Bad Apple” theory… the Pigs are 3 and 0 since Cody Ransom was called up to the Phillies. The team’s hitting has been on fire and the pitching has been solid. I’m not saying Cody Ransom was the apple contaminating the rest… I’m just saying…
Tomorrow is wednesday and looking forward to bringing my broom along to the park. We had a great time tonight. To keep ourselves occupied we decided to keep the big pig flag waving during the whole game. No particular reason, just to have some fun. We took turns and that flag didn’t stop for the entire 9 innings. A great big OinK to all who participated.
OinK!
noisenation.mlblogs.com 
Dan, I’ve got some good shots of Steve during the Hot Dog eating contest up on facebook…feel free to yank them. I also have some great action shots of Duckworth on the mound, and pics and video of the flag through out the game!
Thanks Amanda!
Actually, the evening began with a fire on the concourse between the Jaindl stand and the Pork ‘n Chips stand behind section 120. I arrived at my seat just in time to see the flames but by the time I got my camera out all that remained was a lot of smoke.
Any word on Andy Tracy? I’m assuming they took some precautionary x-rays of his arm/elbow.
Interesting that (per the Hog Blog) the Phillies activated J.A. Happ today and then immediately optioned him to the Ironpigs. Looks like he’ll be here a while longer. Madson looked much better tonight.
Oh yeah, Dan the Pretzel Burger grill caught fire tonight as everyone was entering the stadium…I could see the flames from fan services and was passed by 5 ‘Pigs staff members running over to make sure everyone was ok. I heard someone say they got the flames out just in time, that the propane tank was seconds away exploding.
What, The Renegade, CODY RANSOM, a bad apple?
That really would make no sense at all.
That’s real leadership, Kehl, keeping the IronPigs flag waving throughout the entire, nine-inning contest in such oppressive heat.
A feat surely unmatched by the fans of any other Major or minor league professional baseball team in all all America.
Impressive.
Noise Nation need some pledges – then it would be a piece of cake to keep the IronPigs banner waving proudly at all times…
I believe that the Pigs good fortune has a lot more to do with the arrival of Domonic Brown than it does the departure of Cody Ransom. Ransom produced OK offensive stats for a AAA/AAAA player and probably had no worse of an attitude than many other AAA players who would prefer playing MLB to AAA. Brown so far however has shown the ability to be “the straw that sirs the drink”. A worn cliche’ to be sure but seriously when you add Brown’s power, speed, throwing arm and desire to play the game aggressively (as it should be played) you add a lot. BTW Neil Sellers has done an adequate job replacing Ransom at 3B. Sellers may be an overachiever while Ransom underachieved but the bottom line is that third base is covered while right field play has vastly improved.
Brown is absolutely a positive energy for the team. They do seem to have come together and he ties in those clutch hits and momentum swings that were lacking most of this season. Great points!
My hat’s off to you guys keeping that flag waving the whole game in that heat. Dedication man!! Hat’s off to Steve Richter for his efforts in the hot dog eating contest!! And as far as the Pigs record without Cody Ransom…well facts are facts!! See you all tonight at CCP!
OINK!!
That Cody Ransom theory is hogwash. I have it on good authority from the Osmond Brothers that “One Bad Apple Don’t Spoil The Whole Bunch”.
Ozzie Smith Chavez is now wearing Cody’s #8. He has also been using a #5 helmet which would belong to John Suomi.
SUOMI the MONEY!