“Just when I thought I was out, they pull me BACK IN!”
– The Godfather, Part 3
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Hi, My name’s Kram, and I’ve got an IronPigs problem…
<<HI KRAM!>>
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I’ve been ready to check out on this IronPigs team a couple times over the past month. It’s easier when I’m not at the park–and better for me emotionally if I’m not living and dying with my minor league team. After winning three out of four (and it should have been four of four) in Gwinnett and with the return home, I talked myself back into it. Last night stoked the fire. I’ve only got one good arm, but I’ve managed to pull myself back onto the bandwagon.
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About Last Night
Tyler Cloyd, dealing last night.
Photo courtesy Cheryl Pursell
Tyler Cloyd was the story in the 4-1 ‘Pigs win. Complete game. Only three hits. Only one walk. Only one run. 116 pitches. 80 strikes. 7 strikeouts. And a key bunt, to boot. With John Lannan’s injury last night in Philly (knee, probably out for the year) it was easy to connect the dots and put Tyler back on the Phillies in five days. We’ll see, of course. But if this is the last of Tyler Cloyd at Coca Cola Park, let me be the first to say, “It’s been a great ride. Thank you. And, best of luck.” And if he remains, then it feels really good to have him anchor the rotation for the stretch run. He’s a class act. He’s overcome the adversity he faced earlier this season, and returned to form–or better. I’m happy to call myself a fan of his.
Pete Orr–another class act–played a key role in the win as well. He had several nice plays at 2B, and a key “hustle” double which lead to a run. Here’s an excellent piece by our friend Chuck Hixson at PhillyBaseballInsider.com (follow him on Twitter at: @PHLBaseballNsdr): http://phillybaseballinsider.com/?p=942
He talks about Pete Orr and Tyler Cloyd, trying to get back to the Big Leagues.
The Halladay start with GCL Phillies tonight is interesting too, for it may mean he takes Lannan’s spot on Tuesday versus Colorado, rather than Cloyd. Or, it may mean a rehab with us on Tuesday. We’ll see. God forbid, no setbacks.
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Tonight, Tonight, Tonight
David Buchanan’s Coca Cola Park debut. The 24yo Right Hander has been nothing short of excellent in his first two AAA starts. First he shut down Scranton in Moosic, then he continued it on the road in Gwinnett. He’s now 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA in AAA. I look forward to seeing him pitch tonight!
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On Tap:
Horn and Bell staff will be out in force at tomorrow’s game with some special coverage. Stay tuned. A couple of us may also make the run up to Moosic for Saturday’s game. I’ve still got a post on the way from our last trip up there. Go Pigs!
See you at the park,
Kram209
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Bonus Content. Find Nick:
photo (c) Cheryl Pursell
noisenation.mlblogs.com 
“He knew what went on at the Park and every once and I while I’d have to take a beating. But by then, I didn’t care. The way I saw it, everybody takes a beating sometime.”
The Renaissance of Cloyd this term has been quite remarkable — I hear even the Italians are taking notice.
Great photos, as always — Glad to see CP got herself some markings, it really is the only way to be certain.