Category Archives: Lehigh Valley IronPigs

The IronPigs have dropped their first two games to the Durham Bulls after dropping a couple in Columbus.  It’s a 4-game losing streak and it has to end.  We can look forward to Carlos Zambrano again tomorrow night, but he has to face Jake Odorizzi–a formidable opponent.  Tonight’s the night to make a move.

Let me take you back to May 3, 2013.  The IronPigs were on a 3-game losing streak.  They had just returned from a Western-division road trip and dumped the first game of the series to the league-leading Indianapolis Indians.  It was a Friday night, and the team needed a stopper.  Tyler Cloyd took the mound sporting an 0-3 record.  Fans were not confident.

What happened next was a dominant outing from Tyler.  He shut down the red-hot Indians and the ‘Pigs won 7-1 in a game that took but 2:33 for a full nine innings.  The ‘Pigs then went on to win the last two games of that series, both in walk-off fashion.  It was a return to the Tyler Cloyd of 2012.

That’s what the IronPigs need tonight.  They need Tyler Cloyd to come out and shut down the Durham Bulls.  The bats need to keep hitting the ball, and the ‘Pigs need to get back to the winning ways.  As I wrote the other day, these next 27 days are the key to the season.  The ‘Pigs need to get hot now, or I’m going to be entering this season in a contest for a free funeral.  I know it’s been two weak outings for Cloyd since he returned from the Phillies.  I know he’s given up a fair few home runs.  But,

It’s up to you, Tyler.  We’re counting on you.

Oh, one more thing:  That dominant outing on May 3 basically earned Tyler his call to the Phillies.  I can’t promise that this time, but a return to form will go a long way towards keeping Cloyd at the top of the list of starters should the Phillies come calling again.

Hoping for a win, I’ll see you at the park,

@Kram209

We’re a little over half-way through the IronPigs season.  We enter a pivotal point.  This morning the IronPigs trail the Pawtucket RedSox by 6 1/2 games in the International League North Division.  However, the IronPigs lead in the Wild Card race over Buffalo and Norfolk by a game and a half.  There are ten games left versus Pawtucket–6 home and 4 away–and eight games left versus Buffalo.  The season series versus Norfolk is over, but the Tides are reeling–2-8 over their past 10 games.  There’s plenty of opportunity for this Lehigh Valley team to make the playoffs.

But don’t order your playoff tickets yet.  We’ve got work to do.  Over the next 27 days the IronPigs play 19 home games in 18 days, so go along with 6 away games (2 of which are 1 hour north in Moosic; 4 against last-place Syracuse) and three off-days for the All Star Break.  This massive home schedule is the opportunity this team needs to take control.  It won’t come with ease, though.  The Phillies continue to have problems scoring runs, and when they do have  a lead, their relievers haven’t been able to hold it.  We know these problems will trickle down to the IronPigs as pitchers get shuffled around and the Phils search for bats.  The trade deadline will  be approaching during this time too.  If the Phillies want a better player, they may decide to ship a couple prospects, which could cost the IronPigs some players.  There’s not much in Reading to help us, either.  On the flip side, though, should the Phillies trade away a couple high-priced veterans, it could yield MLB-ready prospects (or close) and that could give us an extra player or two for the playoff run.  The host team in the Gildan National Championship is still a possibility!  One final thing:  Expect to see tired and surly IronPigs staffers by the time the ‘Pigs leave for Rochester on July 21.  There’s plenty of work for them over this stretch.

The First Home Stand

The IronPigs will play at home the next nine days as they host Durham and Toledo for their annual 4-game visits.  The Pigs  then enjoy a one-game “series” against Syracuse on July 3 as their share of the Independence Day weekend.  Here are the events of this series:

• Tuesday, June 25: Salt and Pepper Voucher Day; Ballpark Bingo
• Wednesday, June 26: Domonic Brown Commemorative Glass
• Thursday, June 27: Comic Book Night; Happy Hour; Pig Roast
• Friday, June 28: Fireworks
• Saturday, June 29 (6:35): Fireworks
• Sunday, June 30 (1:35): Youth Replica Jersey Shirt (new away jersey design; #13 for Josh Fields?!?)
• Monday, July 1: Fireworks
• Tuesday, July 2: Fireworks (DOLLAR DOG NIGHT- the only one for 2013!)
• Wednesday, July 3: 3-D Fireworks Extravaganza

Roster

When Chase Utley was activated by the Phillies, Michael Martinez was optioned to the Lehigh Valley.  He was later DFA’d to be removed from the 40-man roster to make room for JC Ramirez, who was called up by Philadelphia as Mike Adams headed for the DL.  Mike Stutes also headed for the DL, so Phillipe Aumont was recalled by Philadelphia.  Michael Martinez then passed through waivers unclaimed, was outrighted to the IronPigs and will rejoin the team for this home stand.  The IronPigs received RHP Luis Garcia from the Reading Fightins.  He’s a reliever who’s been really good for both Clearwater and Reading this season.  He had a difficult year in Independent ball last season, and sources tell me had immigration trouble which has impacted his career trajectory. However, reports out of Reading have him hitting 97-98 MPH with his fastball.  He also reportedly throws a slider at various speeds which will effect its movement.  He should be interesting to watch.

Wait, How Did We Get Here?

The ‘Pigs are returning from their annual Ohio road trip where they took the Toledo series 3-1.  Although Toledo is in last place, they were on a hot streak when the IronPigs arrived in town.  The Pigs then split with Columbus 2-2.  The perennially tough Clippers were on a cold-streak, but the IronPigs managed to snatch defeat from the claws of victory via a Tyler Cloyd slow start and a bullpen melt down on BBQ day.  What’s worse is that Pawtucket was on the same Ohio junket playing opposite us, and went 7-1 to our 5-3, picking up two games in the process.

What to Expect from Durham

Well, don’t expect a return of Richie T.  He broke his foot/ankle making a play against the wall recently, and will be on the shelf with surgery and rehab for a time.  He’ll not make the trip back to Pennsylvania this time, unfortunately.  Durham is in first place in the IL South, with about the same record as Pawtucket in the North.  The come in having won one, 6-4 over their past 10.  They arrive from Buffalo where they dropped three of four.  Also don’t expect to see Super-Prospect Wil Myers, who is now up with Tampa.  Some familiar names with Durham right now:  INF Mike Fontenot, Pig-Killer Shelley Duncan, Pitching Prospect Jake Odorizzi (probable to face Zambrano on Friday).  The Bulls have only two active OF on their roster right now with Thompson injured and Cody Rogers on the restricted list; I suppose they have utility-type infielders who can play corner OF if the web roster’s not up to date.  That may be something to watch over this series:  Outfield play for the Bulls.

What to Expect from the IronPigs

The ‘Pigs have been playing solid ball on all levels in June with mostly solid starting pitching and relief.  Hitters doing well up and down the lineup–starters and reserves.  Here are the questions the IronPigs will face during the upcoming stretch:

1. Can Tyler Cloyd return to form?  I think that we all can agree that Tyler did a more-than-adequate job during his time will the Phillies.  He had one bad outing in Fenway, but was otherwise outstanding.  His three games “returning” for the IronPigs have been less so.  He seemed to get it together after a shaky start in Columbus.  I look forward to seeing how he does Thursday night against Durham.
   
2. How long will we have Carlos Zambrano?  I’ve been thinking about this question from a number of viewpoints.  On one hand, Z seemed to say publicly that he was ready and that he wanted the Phillies to make a decision before his July 1 opt-out.  In this case, he can’t be happy with his solid-but-not-spectacular performance Sunday night in Columbus, nor can he be pleased with having another start Friday night, two days prior to his opt-out (projected; not announced).  On the other hand, if other teams (the Orioles and the Blue Jays were the others initially interested) aren’t calling, there are worse places to pitch than with the IronPigs.  He could just stay in our rotation until he gets a bite, and THEN opt-out.  As a AAA I feel he’s really solid.  For MLB, I’m not so sure.  It will be fund to watch, as well.
3. How long will we have Darrin Ruf?  Ruf’s not hitting the cover off the ball, but he is playing some good baseball both at the plate as well as in Left Field.  You’ve got to wonder how long the Phillies are going to wait before they consider that he can’t be that much worse than Delmon Young.  When I hear that they’ve called up Darrin Ruf, I won’t be surprised.
4. How will the PawSox do over this time? Ehh, it’s probably too  early to start the scoreboard watching, but I don’t want them too far ahead.  They’re home for Toledo and Scranton before they head off to Rochester then down to Allentown.

What’s for Dinner?

PigStop Menu for the current home stand:

Tuesday: Pasta Station

Wednesday: Pig Trough: Pig Skins covered in Chili and the fixins

Thursday: Cheeseburger Quesadilla

Friday: Polish Committee (Kielbasa, Pierogies, Kraut, Mustard)

Saturday: Pretzel Dog

Sunday: Carolina Pulled Pork Sliders

Monday: Patty Melt – 1/2lb beef patty on rye

Tuesday: Build Your Own Panini (sounds good, but remember, this is dollar dog night)

Wednesday: Pie A-LA-MODE!

(good stuff, but I miss wing night..)

See you at the park

(maybe we should try to get a tailgate in there someplace)

@Kram209

Just a quick update on recent IronPigs roster changes:

• Several days ago, INF Miguel Abreu was sent back to Reading from Lehigh Valley–prior to the road trip.
• C Carlos Ruiz, on Major League Rehab over the weekend, as activated to the Phillies, and played last night.
• To make room, C Steven Lerud was optioned to AAA Lehigh Valley.
• Today, C John Suomi was reassigned to AA Reading
• OF Derrick Mitchell was promoted to the IronPigs
• 3B Maikel Franco was promoted from A+ Clearwater to AA Reading

Discussion:

Abreu was an extra INF who was promoted to help out while Cesar Hernandez was with the Phillies.  He wasn’t playing a ton in Reading with Cartwright and Duran getting much of the middle infield work.  He didn’t play much with the IronPigs, either, but had a modicum of success and was observed working hard during batting practice and infield groups on Saturday.

Ruiz looked good over the weekend.  And, while he didn’t hit the cover off the ball, did move around VERY well and reportedly felt very good.  Additional games in Reading were not necessary, and the Phillies needed his bat and his glove right away.  I think promoting him immediately was the correct decision.  As you know, Chase Utley starts rehab in Reading tonight (it was to be last night, but was scrubbed because of the weather).  He reportedly will need “several starts” but I wouldn’t count on him lasting until the IronPigs come home on Tuesday.  Reading is home through Sunday, but if I had to guess, I’d say that Chase will be in the Phillies lineup by the Mets series starting Friday at Citizens Bank Park.  I’d expect to get Michael Martinez back in the deal, unless they want to jettison another of the ineffective bullpen pieces.

And what of Carlos Zambrano?  Well, by all accounts, it sounded like he raised his game a bit last night.  He shut down a hot-hitting MudHens team, looked sharper doing it (less pitches) and was observed a few MPH faster on the gun (Toledo stadium gun).  Pettibone is scheduled to pitch Friday versus the Mets, so Z won’t be ready to jump in there.  It is assumed that if Zambrano is going to be of use to the Phillies, it would be in that spot.  It will be interesting to see what happens.  Lannan is the scheduled pitcher on Sunday when Z is due to pitch again.  Zach Miner would be available for the ‘Pigs if need be should they want to push Lannan back to get Z in the rotation.  All speculation on my part of course.  At this point, they could keep Z to start versus Columbus on Sunday early evening, call him up (would need to be signed to the Major League roster–there are several 40-man moves that could be made to make room), or release him.

We welcome back Steven Lerud.  He was not tremendously successful over the past few days in Philly, but he did have some experience up there from last season.  He’s given the IronPigs some good defense and some really good at-bats this year.  I’ve nothing against Suomi (the money), but happy to have Lerud back in the fold to go along with Rupp, who will probably get the majority of the time at C.

Our old friend Derrick Mitchell comes back to us from Reading.  He was hitting .253 with  6 HR in 51 games before breaking his hand last season.  He was really heating up when that happened, too–I remember he was kind of the hero of those Pawtucket games around the time of the day-night doubleheader last season.  He didn’t hit well when he returned, though.  Hand and wrist injuries always make me nervous for hitters.  Derrick has hit .229 with 5HR in Reading this season, but has had to share time with Gillies, Collier, and Hewitt.

I added the Franco transaction, because he could be a reason to make the drive to Reading.  He’s a top-5 kind of prospect rising up the system at 3B putting pressure on Cody Asche (who’s responded well, of course).  He leads all Phillies minor league-ers with 16 HR in Clearwater.  It will be interesting to see how he does in the usually HR-friendly Reading park.

See you at the park tonight for softball!

@Kram209

I’m looking backward.  I’m looking forward.  My head’s on a swivel and here’s what I’ve got for this June Tuesday:

..

IronRail Update:

The IronPigs prevailed in the first series versus our upstate rivals taking 3 of 4 games this past weekend.  We now lead the Rail Porcupines 3-1, with 12 games yet to play.  First one to 9 gets the IronRail trophy for the year–and if it’s a tie it’ll all come down to the August 31 matchup at Coca Cola Park.  I’m really into this trophy thing, and here’s why:

1. We’ve taken it pretty hard from them over the years.  It’s time for a changing of the guard.
2. It gives a “College Football” -type feel to the rivalry.
3. Any kind of hardware is good.  I’m assuming Kurt will let the season ticket holders barrow the trophy for 24hrs each.  Right? (probably not…)
4. It adds a layer of competition beyond the league standings.  Even a last-place team can win a trophy.  That’s cool, right?
5. It’ll be nice for the Yankees’ fans to NOT get to win all the time.  There were plenty of them at Coca Cola Park this past weekend, all decked out in their Yankees attire and not at all quiet about their support for the Shoulda-Been-Trolley-Frogs.  Not one of them had RailRiders gear.  It’s not the real Yankees.  If I see a true RailRiders fan from the Wyoming Valley visiting in their RailRiders jersey, I will be sure to welcome them to Coca Cola Park as a good host should.  God Bless.  Cheer for your team as loudly as you like.  But if you’re a local Yankees fan just showing up to be obnoxious?  Forget it.  We want the trophy.  I hope they make T-Shirts for us to sport.  (We usually get some of this from the local Red Sox faithful, as well.)

What I don’t care about:

1. Cross-dressing General Managers who may or may not be able to sing.  Although, now that I think about it, if (Rail-Yankee GM) Rob Crain has to sing “Swing it Like an Iron Pig” that might be OK.  Let him wear regular clothes, though.  Or, maybe an IronPigs jersey and a pig nose.  Let him hold an Aw-Shucks corn in one hand and a pork sandwich in the other.  I could be OK with that.  

Other stuff from the weekend:

We did film the first episode of “NoiseNationTV’s Wide World of Pigs.”  The video is in the editing room right now.  We’ll get it out as soon as we can.  The players were great.  The host, maybe not so much.

I visited the Tiki for the post-game party on Saturday night.  I admit, I wasn’t in the best mood after the beating we took, but it was a nice time.  Players and their guests were around.  It is very casual.  It’s too bad there aren’t any bathrooms in the vicinity.

A fellow fan (Ed) Saturday night said, “Once we get behind, it’s like the team gives up.”  But, on Sunday the team did rally for a walk-off win to take the series.  It was good to see.  It was also a lot of fun to throw the ball on the field with the kiddos after the game; that’s got to be one of my favorite things about the past two seasons.  It’s too bad there aren’t any bathrooms out on the field (kidding!).

I sampled a couple of the sandwiches this past home-stand at the Pig Stop.  All good.  Kudos to the new chef.

About Last Night:

The ‘Pigs took the lead in Toledo last night 4-1 on a monster home run by Leandro Castro.  It didn’t hold up as Tyler Cloyd re-adjusts to AAA hitters following his outstanding turn with the Phillies.  I think he’ll be back up there soon enough, as I’ll chalk the 8 runs up to adjustment.  Jermaine Mitchell (the “J-Train”) added a homer late, but seven straight K’s by the good guys and we couldn’t complete the comeback.  The final was 8-6.  Greg Smith and JC Ramirez combined for 3 2/3 scoreless to give the ‘Pigs a chance.  Overbeck and Mitchell had good games at the plate.  Old buddy Mike Cervenak came up a triple short of the cycle to do his old club some damage.

Tonight:

Carlos Zambrano gets another AAA start as he tries to make his case for a return to the Majors–for the Phillies or elsewhere.  He’ll face another old friend of ours, veteran lefty Pat Misch.  He’s 2-3 on the year sporting a 5.36 ERA.  We’ve hit leftys reasonably well this season I think, so I’m hopeful for a win this evening.  (note:  I looked it up, and we’ve a losing record against lefty starters.  But, it’s been my observation that we’ve hit them reasonably well, and we can stack the lineup with big right-handed bats.  We’ll see.  Misch used to destroy us when he was with Buffalo, though.  Hmmff.)

Looking further ahead:

As far as I can tell, Professional FastPitch Softball is still “on” for Wednesday and Thursday at Coca Cola Park.  There hasn’t been a lot of coverage of it so far, so perhaps we can get you some more information.  I know many from the ‘Nation are going to be there to support the teams and see the park transformation for softball.  More news to come.

See you at the (softball) park,

@Kram209