Irene: Pigapalooza Part Deux
Rain or shine, rain or shine, it’s on it’s on. No wait. Nevermind, it’s off.
No game on Sunday per Matt Provence on Twitter. No big surprise to me. The 2 primary routes from my home to the ballpark are both closed due to flooding.
See y’all at the doubleheader beginning at 6:05 on Monday. Let’s hope the sequel turns out better than the original.
Decal
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The Pigs are heading home on a positive note with a 5-4 win over Louisville tonight!
I hope they can get some rest on that long bus trip and that they get back to the Lehigh Valley safely.
The Pigs took a 4 run lead in the 5th inning, the Bats taking one back in the bottom half of that inning. Starter Ryan Edell got into trouble in the 6th, allowing 2 more runs. Savery came on in relief and in the 7th allowed the tying run to score.
On to the top of the 9th when Rich “Run producer” Thompson came on and walked, moved to second on Frandsen’s single, stole 3rd and headed home with the winning run on a wild pitch!
Our more recent closer, Justin DeFratus, came on to close out the game and the Pigs win! This was DeFratus’ 6th save of the season and perhaps he took on some of the Phearfulness from Schwimer when he moved up to the Phillies.
Phear the Phratus anyone?
Tomorrow the game has been moved to 7:05pm to hopefully avoid any lingering rain. Hopefully we will see some winning baseball again here in the Valley.
OinK!
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The IronPigs posted on their website this morning (Thank Tom G.:-) that the game scheduled for 5:35pm has been pushed back to 7:05. The reason given is to let the weather pass but I’d imagine that long bus ride back from Louisville has something to do with it too.
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The IronPigs were swatted by the Louisville Bats this evening by a score of 7-4 in a 3:11 miniature fight club plagued game. Despite the offense by Thompson, Frandsen, Brown, and Kratz, even Bush was able to produce an RBI, yet the Pigs came up just a bit short.
With the loss, starter Dave Bush produced a decent outing. In 6 IP Bush was trimmed for 6 hits, 3 runs (all earned), 2 walks, 3 SO, and 1 “Forget About It”. Not a bad night for Bush.
The combined bullpen of Carpenter, Perez and Aumont were smacked for 5 hits, 4 runs (all earned), 3 walks, and 4 SO in 2 1/2 innings.
Offensively, LehighValley was 3 of 18 with RISP and left 9 on base.
Highlights
Bottom 8th: There was a bench clearing “moseying” onto the field without the teams making it across their respective side’s foul lines after Aumont nailed Jeff Francisco (3B) following his majestic solo home run pose.
Top 9th: On the first pitch Louisville’s Jerry Gil promptly plunked Delwyn Young in the back resulting in the immediate tossing of Gil and former Major Leaguer and Bat’s Manager Rick Sweet by home plate umpire Mark Lolo. This caused another brief visit to the field by both benches. Again no major confrontation but the powder keg has been lit and there is another Bats battle tomorrow – should be a good one.
After cooler heads prevailed, Lehigh Valley put forth a valiant effort in the 9th scoring 1 and stranding 1 but just couldn’t finish it off and allowed the Bats their 70th win.
Playoff Race
Pawtucket took two from S/WB in this evening’s DH to extend their lead over the Pigs by 1.5 games in the IL North.
The Gwinnett Braves were drowned by the Tides by a score of 4-1 to allow Lehigh Valley to remain ahead by 2 games in the Wild Card Race.
In the month of August, Lehigh Valley is an even .500 (14 W & 14 L). During that same time the team batting average with RISP is .238 (63 for 265) and they left a whopping 204 runners on base. Oddly, the Pigs have outscored their opponents during that time 113* to 106
*(there are two LV 11 run games included in the run totals)
How do you like all that?
Epilogue
The Pigs will take on Louisville again tomorrow evening with apparently no effect from Hurricane Irene. It remains to be seen what Irene may do to the next few days of IL Baseball. Hopefully, there will be no loss of life or serious damage.
The curtain has not yet been drawn on the Pig’s season and the drama will continue – same Pig Time – Same Pig Channel.
OINK ON!
DiPro’s Dish
Filed under DiPro's Dish
The Horn & Bell would like to announce its newest contributor, DiPro’s Dish!
Looking forward to his thoughts and outlook on Lehigh Valley sports.
Join me in welcoming DiPro to the Noise Nation world!
OinK!
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The Pigs lost tonight, duking it out with the Bats and falling by a score of 5-6.
With a Pawtucket win tonight, a dominating 12-4 win over Syracuse… the Pigs fall into a theoretical tie for first. In reality, if the season was over today the Pigs would be second.
With the hurricane coming this weekend (See DiPro’s earlier post) we can expect some shuffling to be done with the schedule and travel plans.
For your entertainment, below is a photo of our IronPig Delwyn Young enjoying a tour of the Louiville Slugger factory. The photo was posted on his twitter earlier today.
That's a lot of bats!
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Below are some possible Hurricane Irene related playoff scenarios. Of course this all depends on Irene’s final track. It’s important to remember these are the same computer models that pick the BCS National Champion – so take them for what they are worth. 
Pawtucket has the possibility to miss a game or play one or perhaps two double headers. Will this help or hurt us? The bottom line for the Pigs seems to win and be in – despite any possible weather related issues.
TH 8/25 @SYR T-storms 30% FR 8/26 @SWB Sunny 10% SA 8/27 @SWB Isolated T-storms 30% SU 8/28 @SWB Rain 70% MO 8/29 @SWB Mostly Sunny 10% TU 8/30 @ROC Possible Showers WE 8/31 @ROC Partly Cloudy
Gwinnett seems to fare the best of all with what appears to be limited hurricane effects to their upcoming schedule.
TH 8/25 vs.NOR Clear FR 8/26 vs.NOR Sunny SA 8/27 vs.NOR Sunny SU 8/28 vs.NOR Sunny MO 8/29 @DUR Mostly Sunny TU 8/30 @DUR Chance of T-storms WE 8/31 @NOR(DH) Sunny
The IronPigs also stand a strong chance to play a DH with SYR at Coca-Cola Park. I know head groundskeeper Bill Butler will do everything he can to see to it he field is in shape but short of building a dome Sunday is not looking good at this point. We all know very well the Pigs aren’t their best in 7 inning games.
TH 8/25 @LOU Sunny FR 8/26 @LOU Sunny SA 8/27 @LOU Sunny SU 8/28 vs.SYR Heavy Rain/Wind 70% MO 8/29 vs.SYR Sunny TU 8/30 vs.SWB Possible Showers WE 8/31 vs.SWB Mostly Sunny
A tad too early to tell exactly how, if at all Irene will affect the IL Playoff Picture. Also, there is not way to predict any travel problems that may result in a scheduling “adjustment/nightmare”. However, it is something we should all keep an eye on regardless. Everyone be safe out there and hopefully we’ll be back at CCP with our life preservers (and umbrella hats) soon enough.
OINK ON!
DiPro’s Dish
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Ok, here’s the deal. Leave your funny caption suggestion in the comments of this post. Next week I will post a voting poll and the best will win a “Mystery Prize”.
Let's hear your funniest caption to this photo!
*This contest is for fun. I reserve the right to all decision making, rules, etc.
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The Pigs reclaimed the lead in the IL north division with a 6-5 victory over the Lousiville Bats tonight.
Brandon Moss Hogg hammered his team leading 23rd HR and in the same inning Cody Overbeck launched a 3 run shot, his 6th at AAA this season.
With Pawtucket’s loss the Pigs are alone in first again! Gwinnett had the night off so they didn’t lose or gain ground.
Is anyone else concerned with Mike Zagurski of late? Tonight he allowed 3 runs and has been getting into trouble a lot lately. Maybe just a phase but would prefer to see him mowing down batters as he is capable of.
OinK!
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Via Twitter from Matt Provence:
IronPigs postseason Magic No. is 10 (to clinch a tie for Wild Card w/ GWN). Should they finished tied, LHV hosts GWN in a 1-G playoff on 9/6
I wonder if a 1 game playoff is included with the Playoff packages on sale a month ago.
Being this close is a strange feeling for us Pig Fans. 3 years of losing baseball and now we’ve got a great shot at making the playoffs. I think it’s time for a Pig poll!
OinK!
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