Monthly Archives: August 2011

The Pigs lost tonight in their final game with the Durham Bulls by a score of 4-6. This loss theoretically places them in a tie with the Pawtucket Red Sox who did not play today due to rain. The official status of that game is “postponed”. If it becomes part of the playoff picture I would guarantee it will be made up at the end of the season.

The Pigs now hold a 65 and 51 record where Pawtucket has a 64 and 50 record.

The Pigs head to Norfolk tomorrow. Oink.

I had a long day yesterday and wasn’t able to catch up on some stuff so here goes:

Pigs lost last night and Pawtucket won. This leaves the lead at .5 games. Just got word that the Pawtucket/Buffalo game was cancelled due to rain/unplayable field conditions. This could have an impact on final standings and might be an unplayed game but I would bet that if it game down to a .5 game behind or tie for the North division that this game is made up at the end of the season. Let’s hope it doesn’t get that close though.

Yesterday a few of the Noise Nation went out to see the LV Steelers home opener. It rained pretty much the whole time and we bailed at halftime. I later read that they ended up losing 7-20 to the Delaware Bucs. The team plays at Hokey field over in Whitehall. The field was a little rough and half of the lighting was provided by generator run lamps (the kind you see on construction sites). It was difficult to see the game as the bleachers are set immediately behind the Steelers bench and they are a tall bunch. Had myself a great hot dog for $1. The Lady Steelers (cheerleaders) gave quite a show the whole game braving the weather to do acrobatics and other stunts throughout the game.

While not much of a look to the place, there was a lot of passion both on and off the field. Many dedicated fans sat under umbrellas and small tents to enjoy the game. Good times.

***

Also saw about Scott Mathieson being designated for assignment. No worries though. Scott posted on Facebook to clarify:

“I believe getting designated this time is the same thing that happened to me last year and I should be back on the 40 man by tomorrow and back with the pigs.”

Glad to have him around.

***

Of note, one of Pawtucket’s best pitchers was granted his release today. Kevin Millwood was 5-1, 4.28 ERA in 13 Games for the PawSox. See, it doesn’t just happen to IronPig fans 🙂

***

The Pigs take on Durham for one last game tonight, stay tuned for results later.

OinK!

Had a fun night tonight out with Jimmy T. We started off by visiting the LV Lady Steelers who had a calendar sale at the Main Gate tonight. The Steelers have their first home game tomorrow and we plan to attend.

We moved on to the Velodrome in Trexlertown. I know, it’s got a fancy new name from a sponsor but I can’t think of it at the moment. I will always know it as the velodrome. My nephew has been racing there for years and it is always a good exciting time.

Not only were we treated to a great night of racing, we ran into our good friends the Lehigh Valley Roller Girls. They were there to promote their upcoming doubleheader bout on August 20th. (I’ll post more details closer to the date) The fun didn’t stop there as Philadelphia Eagle’s mascot Swoop was in attendance. Swoop challenged the Roller Girls to a race and with some questionable roller derby tactics, the roller girls ended up winning but also earned a warning from the referee in the process. Nice to see Deb of The Corner Seat out there and nice to meet Ruth of Condoms Galore, one of our great sponsors! A good fun night for all!

Some photos of Jimmy T enjoying himself:

Jimmy T and the Lady Steelers!

Jimmy T and the Roller Girls!

Haaaaang on Piggies! Piggies hang on! (Sing that in the tune of Hang on Sloopy)

The Pigs hung on tonight to defeat the Durham Bulls by a final score of 4 to 3.

Starter Nate Bump went 5 innings allowing 2 runs on 6 hits. Joe Savery took home the win, Zagurski and Heilman the hold and Aumont earned his 2nd save of the season.

For the hitters the Pigs belted out 11 hits and were rewarded by 3 Durham errors. Frandsen, Orr and Galvis had multi-hit games.

The Pigs guarantee a split in this series and look to game 3 tomorrow.

I have more to come of my night in a post coming up!

OinK!

August 5th!!!!!! The Lehigh Valley Lady Steelers 2011 Calendar Release Party at Maingate! 6pm to 9pm signing calendars with a special performance at 9:30pm!!

You don’t want to miss out on this event!!!

Every calendar purchase receives a FREE ticket to one of our back 2 back champs the Lehigh Valley Steelers semipro 2011 Home Football Games!

Our 2011 Home Opener is August 6th at 7pm at Hokey Park 3151 Lehigh Street, WHITEHALL, PA 18052

August 5th featured band “The Cherry Bombs”

Contact director Jes at ladysteelers@hotmail.com or send a message on our Lady Steelers page, if you can’t make our calendar signing, but want to purchase a 2011/2012 calendar! ♥ xoxo Thanks for the support!

With my post-season guesses out there the Pigs came back and showed us a win taking down the Durham Bulls tonight by a score of 5 to 3.

Frandsen and Overbeck had multi hit games and Galvis & Rivero (I will refer to them as “The New Two”) combined for a 1 for 8 effort, though Galvis did triple, score a run and collect an RBI.

Bass went 7 innings earning his 6th win. (6-8) He allowed 2 runs on 8 hits, striking out 4 and walking none. DeFratus earned a hold while allowing 3 hits and one run while Michael “Phear the Phro” Schwimer took the ninth with 2 strikeouts to earn his 10th save.

OinK!

Let’s take a look at the whole picture (well at least the part I can see)…

The IL West:
Columbus is still going strong. With a 69-42 record they have a commanding lead over Indianapolis and Louisville, both 11.5 games back.

Columbus will face Syracuse, Indianapolis, Louisville, Rochester, Pawtucket, Buffalo and Toledo to close out the season. This could have an impact on the IronPigs if Columbus comes through and stomps over Pawtucket.

Indianapolis and Louisville are 11.5 games back for their division but at 58-54 each, they still hold a chance at gaining a wild card slot. Indianapolis and Louisville still have 8 games remaining against each other which will play a role in the race for 2nd but there is a healthy dose of Columbus games mixed in there. They both also face the IronPigs for a 4 game set at home (away for the Pigs).

My call – Columbus takes the division easily. Louisville and Indianapolis balance out their wins/losses and do not make the wild card.

***

The IL Central:

This division is led by a fierce competition between Durham and Gwinnett. Durham (62-47) currently holds a 1.5 game lead over Gwinnett (61-49).

The Bulls start off a 4 game set with the Pigs tonight then move on to the RedWings, Bison, Yankees, Tide, Knights and Braves. Not an easy schedule to say the least.

Gwinnett could help out the Pigs next week. After 4 with Charlotte, they move to Pawtucket and SWB, then on to Syracuse, Norfolk and Durham.

This division is a coin flip. My feeling is that the wild card will come from whoever doesn’t take this division.

The IL North:

As of right now, our beloved Pigs are still holding on to first place. They’ve been there most of the season and the lead is now down to a half game. With Pawtucket and SWB on their heels, it won’t be an easy task to remain there for all of August.

Scranton Wilkes Barre – The Yankees have won 6 of their last 10 and won the last two games. Sitting 3 games back from first their schedule sends them to meet a tough barrel of opponents. First Louisville and Gwinnett, then Syracuse, another set with Durham, a bunch with Rochester, then Pawtucket and the Pigs. The Yankees have long been a threat in the International league and look to make a run at first here in the home stretch. It’s a tough schedule coming up but they haven’t been impacted too much with transactions yet.

Pawtucket – If the season ended today, the PawSox would be the wild card. At 62-49 they are only .5 game back from first. They have cooled a bit from their blazing run to get back into contention but can gain some more ground facing Buffalo and Charlotte this week. They have a week with Gwinnett and Columbus that will be tough and then have Syracuse, SWB and Rochester to finish out. It looks like they have the “easiest” schedule if going just by record.

IronPigs – The Pigs haven’t been scoring a lot of runs lately and that has hurt. Combine in recent transactions that have essentially placed most of this season’s stars on the bench and it isn’t looking too good. While not all bad news, here is the remaining schedule for the year:
Durham – 4 games
Norfolk – 4 games
Toledo – 4 games
Rochester – 4 games
Indianapolis – 4 games
Louisville – 4 games
Syracuse – 2 games
SWB – 2 games
Buffalo – 2 games
Syracuse – 2 games

While every game could potentially be a win, this schedule is by far not the toughest mentioned. The 8 game stretch between Indianapolis and Louiville will be tough but there are some potential spoilers out there in teams like Buffalo, Syracuse and Toledo.

For the Pigs to take the division they cannot go .500 for the rest of the season. They have to be well above that. With only 12 home games included, we have to take in account the grind of road trips and fatigue. We cannot count on both Pawtucket and SWB to lose.

For the Pigs to take this division they need to win and I hope they do. While my gut feeling sees Pawtucket taking it late, I don’t like to say it.

***
If the season ended today:
North winner – Lehigh Valley
West winner – Columbus
South winner – Durham
Wild Card – Pawtucket

My, not so educated, guess:
North winner – Pawtucket
West winner – Columbus
South winner – Gwinnett
Wild card – Durham

IL Champion – Columbus

Guess only, putting it out there to get your opinions. Feel free to comment.

OinK!

Scott posted on Facebook that he is, “Heading to SF”

The Phillies begin a series with the Giants tomorrow. One could only think…

OinK!

A funny comment from our friend Emily in regards to the Pig’s recent slump:

“…if they don’t make the playoffs, I think you should probably have a little heart-to-heart with whoever decided to turn a herd of goats loose in the outfield the other day, knowing there was a Cub in the dugout. Seems to me that somebody was tempting Providence with that little irony. ;P”

While the IronPigs haven’t suffered 103 years without a championship like the Cubs have… it is a funny tale to tell. Did intern Mike curse the Pigs after being charged by 4 goats the other night during the Ghost Rider show? I’m going to say no.

For those non-Cub/non-baseball history folks:

The Cubs have held the “Curse of the Billy Goat” since, when in 1945, the owner of a tavern called The Billy Goat Tavern was asked to leave during a World Series game because his pet goat’s odor was upsetting other fans. (Upsetting other fans? Oh no! Not that! We never have that happen at The Coke…) Claims beyond that initial moment include telegrams saying that the owner, Billy Sianis, sent Cubs owner Philip Wrigley that the Cubs would never win another World Series. History shows they haven’t won a World Series since.

There is also rumor of something called the “Ex-Cubs Factor” where ex Cubs players involved with new teams can carry the curse along with them. Examples given include the Oakland A’s being swept by the Reds in the World Series and Bill Buckner (who’s grounder through his legs kept the Mets alive in the 86 World Series) was an ex-Cub.

Either way, I don’t believe it. I think the season is coming down to the end and the Phillies are doing best for the Phillies with no regard to IronPig fans.. or Reading, Clearwater or Lakewood fans for that matter. When it comes down to it, they are a business focused on winning at the top level and we minor league fans simply get to enjoy having a team and cheering whenever Hambone wins a Pork race.

I do like that the Pigs have had a winning season so far and yes it is a shame that they’ve been slumping due to losing players via promotions and give-aways (Didn’t someone on the Morning Call ask for more give aways recently?)

Do I think the Pigs will make the playoffs? Who knows. They could win, they could lose. Other teams could be impacted as ours has been.

One thing remains the same. This is our town. This is our team. We will triumph no matter what! (And have a lot of fun in the process!)

OinK!

The Pigs lost another 1 run game tonight to Scranton by a final score of 2-3. This loss combined with a Pawtucket win closes the Pig’s lead down to .5, or half a game. Pawtucket has one less win and as many losses as the Pigs.

In their IronPig debut, both Galvis and Rivero each went 1 for 4.

Not liking this.

Is it better to win, then not make the playoffs or not to have won at all?