Category Archives: DiPro’s Dish

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

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

Submitted by Noise Nation member Jason DiPro. Thanks Jason!!

The State of the Pigs Luncheon today was a fabulous event enjoyed by nearly 150 people in an intimate setting on the Club Level at Coca-Cola Park. Ryne Sandberg was the main speaker and he was joined by players Rich Thompson (CF), Michael Schwimer (P) and Scott Mathieson (P). The event was MC’d by the voice of the IronPigs Matt Provence.

Ryno spoke of the team as a whole, the players and how he enjoys helping them on their way to the bigs. He’s glad to be back with the Philly organization after starting his own career here. Sandberg believes the IronPigs are a class organization and thanked the fans for all of their support. He was most pleased with the progress of the team and the cohesiveness despite the tremendous amount of player transactions of late. Sadly, Ryno stated Jeff Larish was out for the year with his broken leg suffered at last night’s play at the plate. It is clear that Ryne Sandberg will coach in the big leagues. The real question is when and with whom. We can only hope…

Local product Rich Thompson mentioned stealing bases, playing quality defense in center-field and being led by an aggressive base-running manager like Sandberg. While Rich has had a taste of the majors with the Royals in 2004 he is still playing hard in order to make it back to the bigs. When the subject of home runs was mentioned Ryno joking said “I don’t give him the home run sign very often” whereas the steal sign is frequently issued.

Virginia’s Michael Schwimer touched on his All Star appearance and the fact that he would cherish it no matter where his baseball career may take him. He also elaborated on his choosing baseball over basketball despite being recruited by Duke among others. Michael chose baseball because he enjoys the mental aspect of the game more so than basketball. It was comical when Matt asked Michael to stand up and his “phearful phro” nearly touched the ceiling. He went on to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of being 6’8″. His advantage is the path of delivery he can place on the ball coming from such a high angle. A disadvantage is if one small mechanic is off it only gets magnified by his size.

Canadian born Scott Mathieson spoke of his multiple Tommy John surgeries and how it has affected his career and his approach to pitching. He’s happy to be back with the Pigs with a chance to possibly regain his stature as a starter.

A big thanks goes to the IronPIgs, Ryne Sandberg and the players who took their time to support the fans and the IronPigs Charities. They all thoroughly enjoyed “talkin’ baseball” with those in attendance. These gentlemen have a genuine love the game and it shone brightly today. I also had the pleasure to meet Mrs. Sandberg and Mrs. Thompson who are two of the most gracious and supportive baseball wives there are.

It was a well planned and executed event by the IronPigs Charities. They have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for various local charities mostly through the Jersey Auctions. Support them whenever you get a chance. All in all it was a wonderfully informative and funny afternoon with some great food by Chef Jan Giejda.

See ya at the Park!

OinK On!

DiPro’s Dish