The Pigs lost another heartbreaker today by a score of 1 to 2, getting burnt in the 11th inning by former Ironpig JJ Furmaniak.
Where have the Pig Bats gone? The last few games have seen little production and beside a few home runs they haven’t been playing much small ball. That same small ball proved effective for the Durham Bulls this afternoon in front of a thin capacity crowd at The Coke. In the 6th inning, Brian Mazone lost his no hit bid by allowing a single then two consecutive sac bunts that turned into singles resulting in a bases loaded with no outs situation. Credit is due to Mazone who got out of that jam allowing only 1 run. Mazone looked great out there today.
An odd play happened late in the game when Elliot Johnson hit a low line drive towards Chris Duffy in centefield. From my perspective it appeared that Duffy caught the ball but he raised his glove in shock and frantically started looking for the ball. To his dismay, the ball was inside his jersey and the umpires immediately ruled a ground rule double. I’m not that familiar with the oddball rules but this might be one for the winter meetings. Apparently this is the correct call but as the ball never left Duffy’s control or person.. I can’t see how it isn’t an out. The next batter up, Dan Johnson (of the Home run derby fame) came up and promptly struck out to end the inning.
I guess we all get one of those phantom guesses correct now and then and today was mine. A few months back I said that Roy Oswalt would be a Phillie this year and I was proven right. Not by wisdom or inside knowledge.. pretty much random chance. I like Oswalt and although I hear the whining already.. I feel this is a great move for the team. (Yes, I still think letting Lee go was a mistake) Oswalt has been in an organization that has been falling apart with age and even looking at his number.. you can tell he wasn’t getting the support he needed there. Being a #2 starter, knowing that Roy Halladay is ahead of him and Cole Hamels is behind him will allow him to relax and produce like he has in the past.
I really like this aquisition of Oswalt.. REALLY like it.
Hoping that FedEx comes through for the Noise Nation surprise tomorrow. I’ve been watching the tracking notice religiously this afternoon and will have to pick up a few cases of bananas at the farmers market in preparation.
Until tomorrow!
OinK!
noisenation.mlblogs.com 
Will someone please tell me why Chris Duffy is still leading off when he is mired in a slump? He may be needed to play center field with the reduced roster but right now there is no way he should be at the top of the batting order.
He seems to be the only pig with any type of speed there anymore.
Speed means nothing if your on base percentage is zero for any extended period of time. He had a walk tonight and hit a deep fly to the outfield. That is an improvement over the past few days. Believe me I am rooting for him to succeed.