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The Pigs got a bad roll of the dice with the one day road trip to Pawtucket today and the result was the second straight shutout, losing 0 to 8 to the Pawsox.

Now we all know that the Pigs are now pretty much at the same spot this season, record wise, as they were in that dismal 2008 season. Anyone who can see the imbalance of wins and losses can see that they lost far more games than they have won.

I know a good friend will have a fit at what I’m going to say next, but it does deserve mentioning and by mentioning does not mean I agree with it. Just pointing it out.

The minor leagues are all about prepping players to play at the major league level.
1. Develop prospects for the future and/or to trade for established players
2. Have veteran players ready to fill a MLB roster spot if the parent team is in need.
3. Entertain the fans who will be footing the cost of the program.

How well has the Ironpig’s organization completed these tasks? Let’s break it down.

1. Michael Taylor, Jason Donald, Lou Marson and Carlos Carrasco were all used to obtain pitching stars Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay.

2. With the mass injuries with the Phillies this year… Dane Sardinha, Wilson Valdez, Paul Hoover, Antonio Bastardo, Scott Mathieson, Mike Zagurski, Gregg Dobbs, Brian Bocock and Cody Ransom have all been called up to the bigs to fill roster spots and in the cases of Valdez, Sardinha and Hoover they have had considerable playing time.

3. The Ironpigs currently have the highest per game attendance in all of AAA Baseball.

So while the team is playing ok ball, having terrible results, the organization is truly completing its mission with the Phillies.

Also of note: INF Ozzie Chavez promoted to Lehigh Valley from Reading.

Tomorrow is the 4th of July.. going to be hot. Make sure to stay hydrated.

Oink!

Per Ken Rosenthal’s Twitter tweet… Cody Ransom has been summoned by the Phillies and Brian Bocock designated for assignment. I’m looking forward to Bocock’s return to solidify the infield. If Ransom’s stay is more than a week, though, the Ironpigs will only have three All Stars at the game in less than two weeks. Still can’t believe it’s that soon.

Also of note, The Hog Blog reports that Ryan Madsen will make rehab appearances with the Pigs next week.. along with JA Happ making another start on Sunday.

The Lehigh Valley is still leading AAA Baseball in per game average attendance at 9,054 fans per game. The Phillies rehab appearance have contributed to the early season numbers as we saw JC Romero, Brad Lidge, Brian Schneider and JA Happ all making rehab appearances at The Coke.

Tomorrow will also be our next tailgate picnic before the game. We will be in the lower LSI parking lot and food and drink is on a Bring Your Own basis. We strictly adhere to all parking lot and stadium rules as posted on the Ironpig’s website.

Oink!

I don’t do this often, and I honestly don’t want to hurt anyones feelings but I really wonder how National Anthem singers are selected. Do they audition well and then choke at their big moment or are they just bad? I’ve heard from several people who told me they were not asked to return after an audition so it leads me to think that there is a talent base from which to draw from… not that they just throw the kid from the Dip’n’Dots stand out there. Actually, they did that once last year and he was great. I really can’t say the same for the Reba McIntyre impersonator they had out there tonight. She had one thing going for her and that was remembering all the words, where the person a few nights before did not. Anyways, that all aside…

The Pigs lost tonight to the Chiefs 0 to 7. They had one hit or I should say Domonic Brown had one hit. The rest of the team got skunked. The real story tonight was Jason Jones. Jones retired 23 straight batters before allowing a hit to Brown. It came very close to not being a hit. The ball was hit hard and deflected off his glove and away from the Syracuse shortstops reach. He could just as easily have snagged that ball and led the Ironpigs down embarrassment lane with a perfect game.

I’ve only witnessed one perfect game in person. Last summer Softball Legend Jenny Finch tossed a perfect game against the now defunct Philly Force at Bicentennial Park here in Allentown. I give the edge to Finch as she completed the game and is also a heck of a lot prettier than Jones.

With all that going on, the highlight of the night was a new fan hanging out with the Noise Nation in centerfield. No, it wasn’t the 10 year old walking around in coveralls and a gas mask (never did get a picture of that). This little guy was about 2 years old and was very involved in the game. He was clapping, he was ringing bells, he was giving high fives and sharing smiles with everyone while sporting his “Lady killer” T-Shirt. He even helped us send a whammy ala Philly Phanatic style to Syracuse pitcher Jones.

Good times and Good people! See you Sunday!

Oink!

The Ironpigs continue to move into the social media realm by announcing the release of their new iPhone app.

I downloaded it this morning and it is pretty neat. Allows you to check schedules, news, updates, rosters and more.

It is free for a limited time. Not sure why it wouldn’t be free for all time, but that’s not my decision to make.

iPhone users can download the App via the iTunes store.. simply search “Ironpigs”

While you are there be sure to download the Noise Nation app too! The Noise Nation app was released before the season began and is free for all to download!

Oink!

The Pigs lost last night to Syracuse 2 to 4. The bats were there and plays were being made but they just couldn’t get the rally to come together.

Following the 2 inning Concepcion start, Joe Savery came in and pitched 7 solid innings allowing 5 hits and 1 run, striking out 7 and allowing no walks. Thinking the Ironpig’s team therapist needs to work on innings 1 and 2 with Savery. Do the Ironpig’s have an “official” therapist? Maybe hypnotism… maybe something…

Anyways, this weekend is going to be busy. The Pigs will be traveling to Pawtucket for one game after tonight’s game vs. the Chiefs. Due to an International League rule, every team must have at least one home game over this holiday weekend. The forecast for tomorrow in Pawtucket is partly sunny so it could be worse…they could travel all that distance for a rain out. The Pig’s will endure a 5 hour busride each way, play in Pawtucket and return on Sunday to a forecasted 97 degrees on Sunday! (for those attending the Noise Nation tailgate on Sunday.. don’t forget the sunscreen) Look for some tired Pigs Sunday evening.

The Phillies injuries have sent the minor league affiliates scrambling to adjust rosters. If you’ve noticed Keoni De Renne in the dugout and wondered who he is.. you will find out that he was called to the Lehigh Valley directly from Clearwater. He has spent time in Reading this season also. The 31 year old minor leage veteran has played in only 23 games this season.

On to more important things. The Pretzel burger stand has moved! On my daily game lap around the park I noticed it over behind section 119 close to the turkey stand. The same burgers, the same great team cooking up the goodness and same great toppings. I breathed a sigh of relief as I was concerned when I didn’t see it parked next to the clubhouse store the past two games. Another good night with the thursday whole hog pick picken. The rolls were still hamburger rolls but the server was more careful to allow the pork to drain a little before adding it to the sandwich. I sampled 2 plates (for quality purposes) and neither sandwich roll became soggy.

OINK!

Sorry Jimmy T.. he will be playing for the Pacific Coast League and it isn’t our beloved Rich Thompson… it is Rich Thompson, a right handed pitcher out of Salt Lake. Got your attention though didn’t I?

PCL Roster
Pitchers
Brandon Dickson
Thomas Diamond
Steve Edlefsen
Luke French
Ernesto Frieri
Michael Kirkman
Clayton Mortenson
Jordan Norberto
Matt Reynolds
Pedro Strop
Rich Thompson

Catchers
JP Arencibia
Josh Donaldson
Lucas May

Infielders
Darwin Barney
Brock Bond
Luis Cruz
Chris Davis
Brad Eldred
Tyler Green
Kila Ka’aihue
John Lindsey
Hector Luna
Mark Trumbo
Brett Wallace

Outfielders
Brian Bogusevic
Jay Gibbons
Alex Gordon
Chris Lubanski
Matt Miller

Not too many familiar names out there. Brad Edlred was an Ironpig slayer in 2008 and 2009 but most of the others don’t come to mind at first thought. A lot of interesting names and I forsee a plethora of puns coming out of the radio booth during this broadcast….

If you haven’t noticed two new links on the Noise Nation blogroll I just wanted to mention them to you and afford the opportunity to the authors to post, via comments, any information they would like to share about their blogs.

The Bacon and Biscuits blog came about recently to cover the Ironpigs and (hopefully) a future minor league hockey Phantoms franchise.

The Philly Phour follows Philly Sports and is partly authored by the Ironpig’s own Alex Cohen.

Take a moment to check out these new blogs!

OINK!

Great call in to ESPN radio by Dennis Haskins! Enjoy!

http://espn.go.com/espnradio/player?rd=1#/podcenter/?id=5322276&autoplay=1&callsign=ESPNRADIO

The Ironpigs took the game from Rochester tonight by a score of 6 to 4!

I knew this would be a great night when, during pregame preparations, the centerfield cameraman seemed to stumble or kick a sprinkler head… setting off the sprinkler and dousing himself for a cool 2 minutes before it went off. One of those “I wish I had my camera” moments. His Three Stooges antics that followed just added to the effect.

We also were treated to the Ironpigs Radio Network broadcast team table in Noise Nation where Jon Schaeffer and Matt Provence set up shop and made the call from the outfield with us. A few of us assisted in the broadcast and everyone had a great time. We even had a guest appearance by former Ironpig Radio Producer (and current Reading Phillies Media Director) Tommy Viola who treated us to one of his “Radiooooooo Network” calls. Good to see you Tommy and thanks to Matt and Jon for a fun night!

Also picked up on a new nickname for Domonic Brown. Matt Provence’s call of Brown’s home run came in as “Downtown Domonic Brown!” This instantly reminded me of the 1998 sequel to the movie Major League called “Major League: Back to the Minors” where a key character is known simply as Downtown. The movie is the third sequel and I think much better than the second but not close to the quality of the first.

As for stats tonight…

Andy Tracy had 2 hits and continues to close on .300. He stands at .290 as of the end of tonight’s game.

Domonic Brown continues to be a presence on the field at The Coke. He went 3 for 4 with 3 RBI and his second home run in as many games. Brown also intimidated a third base coach into not challenging his arm when a runner rounding third stopped dead when Brown retrieved a soft liner into right field. Last night he threw out one runner on third and turned a no doubt run scoring into a close play at home plate (the runner avoided the tag)

Newly aquired Aguila also hit his first home run at The Coke. Welcome aboard. Keep that up and the Lehigh Valley will embrace you!

Nate Bump (who was named to the IL All Star roster this afternoon) earned his 7th win of the season. He allowed 2 runs on 7 hits in 6 innings.

Ryan Vogelsong continues to struggle. In the top of the ninth he walked the bases loaded before being pulled for Scott Mathieson. Combine that with the blown save in Durham a few days ago and it doesn’t look good for the Kutztown University alumni.

Mathieson came in and finished the game earning his 14th save of the season. He also earned a spot on the IL All Star roster.

See you tomorrow!

Oink!

The International League has 4 Ironpigs on the roster!

International League (IL) Roster
1st base – Andy Tracy
2nd base – Chris Valaika
3rd base – Cody Ransom
Shortstop – Eduardo Nunez
Catcher – Tyler Flowers
Outfielders – Michael Brantley, Jeff Frazier, Dustin Martin
Starting Pitchers – Dan Hudsen, Carlos Torres
Relief Pitchers – Jonathan Albaladejo, Scott Mathieson
DH – Dan Johnson

Reserves
Erik Kratz
Jesus Montero
Barbaro Canizares
Joe Dillon
Elliot Johnson
Chase Lambin
Bubba Bell
Jose Constanza
Jeff Salazar
Nate Bump
Michael Dunn
Robert Manuel
Pat Misch
Jay Sborz
Anthony Slama
Chris Tillman
Travis Wood

Pacific Coast League (PCL) Roster will be announced tomorrow!