Monthly Archives: August 2011

A huge thank you to all involved in the cook book fundraiser! Together we raised over $3,000 for the National Brain Tumor Society!

Many, many thanks to everyone!

OinK!

The IronPig struggles against left handed pitching hit a note today as they were defeated by the Norfolk Tide by a final score of 0-7.

Starter Feierabend went 6 strong innings before allowing 4 runs in the 7th, then Aumont allowed another 3 and that’s all Norfolk needed.

The offense today wasn’t there. I remember seeing the Right hand batter vs. Left hand pitcher strategy employed many times this season and thought to myself, “They know better than I do, it must work out in averages.” It really hasn’t though. The Pigs are 13-20 against lefty starters this season and Matt Provence mentioned on the broadcast that they have lost the last 9 straight games facing left handers.

Maybe it’s time to keep the best hitters out there and hope for the best.

Pigs come home tomorrow!

OinK!

Couldn’t sleep and found myself looking up what former IronPig Brian Gordon is up to.

Gordon opted out of his IronPig contract to sign with the NY Yankees, was then demoted to SWB and released to sign with the SK Wyverns.

It looks like Gordon has appeared in 2 games for the Wyvern, with 1 win and 1 loss. With 10.1 innings pitched and a 6.10 ERA. (This is what I gathered from their website. If you’re Korean is better than mine, feel free to correct)

It appears a salary of $5 Million. I thought it might be in Korea’s currency but in comparison the amount comes down to under $5,000. I doubt he went all the way to Korea for five grand, but you never know. Hoping, for him, that it is $5 Million.

The Wyvern schedule runs similiar to the US timeline ending on September 7th. The posted standings show them in 3rd place in their division with a 50-39 record.

Again, my translation is dependant on internet resources. Just wanted to give an update on our old friend.

OinK!

Sometimes the big angry pig gets you, sometimes you get the big angry pig.

As the Pigs came into the 9th tied 4-4 with the Norfolk Tide they were able to load the bases on a play very similiar to last night. With a runner on second a ball on the ground and the infielder tossed to 3rd but late. No runs tonight though and Justin Defratus walked the leadoff batter, threw a sac bunt throw into right field and then intentionally walked the bases loaded with no outs. Ryne Sandberg then pulled Orr in as a 5th infielder. Home plate umpire Hamari was giving DeFratus no help tonight with a couple close pitches being called balls. On a 3-2 count the game winning hit was allowed and the Pigs lost.

While the Pigs lost tonight, SWB and Pawtucket lost as well. No change to the standings.

First off, Heilman to the DL with an injured Valendia to make room for Perez’s return.

This game waffled back and forth tonight just as the IL North lead did. The Pawtucket Red Sox held a half game lead for a few hours today but thanks to an error and Norfolk’s closer blowing up the Pigs were able to get back in the lead spot by beating the Norfolk Tide by a final score of 11-6.

The Pigs fell behind early again tonight with starter Bass allowing 3 runs in the first inning compliments of a lead off walk and 3 base hits.

Rich Thompson brought the Pigs back within one with a 2 run HR in the 3rd inning and added another in the 4th with a Rivero RBI double.
Norfolk manufactured a run in the 5th to again take the lead but were matched in the top of the 6th on a Rivero RBI triple.

The Pigs took the lead in the 7th starting with an RBI bunt single by Orr scoring Thompson. (When is Thompson not mentioned in scoring notes?)

Bass went 6 innings allowing 11 hits and 4 runs. He struck out 4 and walked 2. 101 pitches for 59 strikes…

Carpenter pitched a great 7th inning allowing only 1 hit and striking out the side. Good to have him back.

Perez got into trouble in the 8th. He allowed 2 hits and a sacrifice bunt moving the runners to 2nd and 3rd. At this point..

Michael “Phear the Phro” Schwimer got the call!

Unfortunately, a sacrifice fly tied the game. Schwimer then allowed a single and Norfolk went ahead.

In the top of the 9th, Rich Thompson did his best Mookie Wilson impression burning a hot ground ball under the glove of Norfolk’s 1st baseman. Thompson took 2nd on the error. Frandsen then bunted towards first and the fielder went to 3rd with a smiling Thompson waiting for him. Up came Domonic Brown. Frandsen took second base as Brown worked the count to 3-2. Ball 4 and the bases were loaded. (Not hard to imagine how Norfolk is residing in the International League basement). Brandon Moss Hogg drove in Thompson with a sac fly leaving runners at 1st and 2nd with 1 out. (Can you tell I’m updating with the play by play?) Orr came up and walked on 4 pitches again loading the bases. Young was promptly hit by a pitch for the Pigs to take the lead. (Oh the memories of the past 3 IronPig seasons) Kratz walked and pushed the lead to 8-6. Rivero hit a sac fly scoring another and Galvis doubled putting the total of 6 runs up in the inning.

Schwimer closed out the game earning his 8th win of the season. While he also earned a blown save, the loss would have gone to Perez, as the runners were his.

OinK!

Mike Clark and Coach Britt have been busy this summer building their 2012 Steelhawk team!

Announced by the Steelhawks today were six key returning players:

Matt Cohen, a Lehigh University and Central Catholic alum returns to the Steelhawks at linebacker. After fighting a nagging injury throughout the 2011 season, Cohen looks to return to the lineup full time. He will be looked to provide strong leadership on the defensive side of the ball.

Quinton Lopez, another local player from Pius X high school, was the team’s top wide receiver last year. He had 320 yards for 9 touchdowns. His height and speed will be assets to the Steelhawks offense.

Chris Medina, a former Kutztown University player returns to the defense as a defensive/offensive lineman. He had a huge 2011 season with 5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles, and 45 tackles.

A later addition to the Steelhawks roster last year, Bryan Tarkington, is excited to return for a full season. Tarkington, another defensive lineman, will help to solidify what looks to be a strong defense for the Steelhawks. After playing in only five games with the Steelhawks last season, he had 36 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

Dom Stewart is a versatile returning player who can play on both sides of the ball, as either a defensive back or wide receiver. He had 310 yards and 3 touchdowns, as well as 12 tackles.

The Steelhawks have another returning wide receiver, in Matt Angeloni. Angeloni played in seven games last season with the Steelhawks and had 160 yards with 2 touchdowns.

The Steelhawks have also acquired the rights to Jeff Willis, a wide receiver, from the Reading Express. Willis was one of the leagues top receivers with 623 total yards and 16 touchdowns.

Keep an eye out over the fall/winter. The Steelhawks have been moving around, making transactions and helping out in the community! Stay tuned for events.

ScreecH!

Saw a tweet on Twitter from the IronPig’s General Manager this morning announcing an employee appreciation picnic tomorrow and thought I would comment on this.

From the very first moment I enter the parking lot at The Coke to the moment I turn back onto Union Blvd to leave, there are hundreds of smiles and friends in between.

First I usually run into Bob and friends at the back gate. There is always a good laugh and a funny hat involved and it sets the tone for the great night. Walking into the park we see the security guards who wave, the ticket takers who check me in and sometimes add a “Surprised to see you here” with a smile. They are always willing to give a kid an extra pig hand stamp for good measure.

Getting into the park is a slew of employees handing out give aways and programs. A wave to the Brat guys, a wave from Scott and Annemarie in the trough. A visit over to usher Mike behind 115. Hassling Abbie and Keisha at their portable stands. Teasing whoever is at the Mini golf contest that the game is fixed. Waving enthusiastically to who ever is working in the kid zone. (The Noise Nation version of a game similiar to Monopoly has the Kid Zone assigned as “Jail”). A fresh cold Cherry Coke waiting for me from the folks at the center field hot dog stand. And then we have one of favorites this year. I won’t say her name but she’s been wearing down our resolve and her never give up attitude might see me buying a foam finger soon. On the way out, I get one final wave to Bob in the parking lot.

I can’t say enough about the game day staff. They don’t get paid much and they are there enduring the heat, rain, cold and any other combination of weather thrown at us and always do so with good humor and a smile. Some of the biggest IronPig fans are game day employees.

I want to personally thank each and every one of you for your hard work and what you bring to the IronPig’s family!

OinK!

Matt Provence mentioned about “Dancing around the fire” tonight in reference to some music being played in Norfolk tonight. The Pigs seemed to be dancing around the bases tonight as they defeated the Norfolk Tide by a final score of 6 to 3.

In fact, both Dom Brown stole a base, Thompson stole 2 and both Thompson and Galvis were picked off base tonight. Dancing these Pigs were!

The Pigs got on the board first in the 2nd inning plating 3 on hits by Orr and Barfield and doubles by Kratz and Thompson. They scored another in the 6th when Rich Thompson doubled in Kratz after a hit of his own. Then tacked on a 5th run in the 7th on an Orr double. Perhaps I should have titled this post “Double Double.” The Pigs got an insurance run in the 9th on a Brown sac fly scoring Rich Thompson.

Scott Mathieson fresh back to the Pigs started and went an unusual 7 innings allowing only 1 run on 4 hits. He struck out 8, walked one and the only run allowed was a solo home run. Scott seems to be cursed with those solo shots lately. He threw exactly 100 pitches tonight.

Zagurski came on in the bottom of the 8th and promptly loaded the bases, allowing a run before Sandberg gave the call to Aumont. Aumont pushed runners from 1st and 2nd to 2nd and 3rd with a wild pitch and allowed a sac fly run before getting a strike out to end the inning. Aumont closed out the 9th and the Pigs win.

Pawtucket’s game against the Knights was suspended and will be continued as part of a double header tomorrow. 2nd game will be 7 innings. Gwinnett defeated SWB.

The Pigs are alone in first again, gained a game on SWB and await the results from Charlotte tomorrow.

OinK!

During the last home stand John Anderson of Fox Philly 29 stopped by and visited us at the IronPigs. He has been touring local minor league ballparks and below are a couple videos from his visits. Word is that the IronPig visit will be aired Friday morning. (not yet confirmed though)

http://www.myfoxphilly.com/video/videoplayer.swf?dppversion=11266

Fox 29 Visits Wilmington Blue Rocks : MyFoxPHILLY.com

http://www.myfoxphilly.com/video/videoplayer.swf?dppversion=11266

Minor League Baseball Tour Hits Lakewood: MyFoxPHILLY.com

I waited a couple hours to make sure it was updated, but the current International League North Standings have Pawtucket .001 ahead of the IronPigs.

Pawtucket 64-50 .561
Lehigh Valley 65-51 .560

Second place essentially. Let’s change that tomorrow!

OinK!