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Who were these guys playing the Toledo Mudhens this afternoon and what have they done to the Ironpig’s players? That’s what I asked myself listening to the broadcast today. The Pigs scored 9 runs in the first two innings and ended up winning their first game in 7 tries by the score of 11 to 6.

Rich Thompson was the only Ironpig without a hit.

John Mayberry and Andy Tracy both had 3 hits … Mayberry with 3 RBI, Tracy with 1

Sellers and Mayberry both homered.

Brandon Duckworth lasted only 2.2 innings allowing 6 runs on 8 hits.

The bullpen then took over and finished the game without allowing a run.

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When Pete Rose retired I went a few years waiting for a new favorite player. Granted, Gary Carter was also a favorite but when Ken Griffey Jr. debuted with the Mariners he was quickly on my list of favorites. That natural swing.. the speed.. the miraculous catches in centerfield! I felt my heart drop when I saw he announced his retirement today. Who knew in 1989 that he would finish 5th all times in home runs and many many other accomplishments. Griffery Jr. was one of those highly touted prospects who turned out to be more than what was expected. Everyone knew the retirement was coming soon but it still marks the end of an era for me.

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The latest baseball news I read tonight was the almost perfect game by Detroit’s Armando Galaraga. With 2 outs in the 9th a ground ball hit to the first baseman looked to close the Perfect game and the call was safe. Replay shows the runner was clearly out. Even the umpire, Jim Joyce, has admitted he blew the call and Galaraga’s perfect game. I wonder what will come of this… MLB and Bud Selig are washing out their underroos after seeing that. Kudos to Joyce for manning up and admitting his mistake but what happens to future games. Will this be one of those “protested” plays? Years ago when George Brett’s controversial reversal of a home run prompted a replay of that last inning. Will this call be reversed by baseball management? One part of me thinks it would only be fair to this young, up and coming pitcher.. the other part thinks umpiring and judgement is just part of the game that you have to accept. Ask the 1983 Phillies team how they feel about blown calls…

Oh and the batter whose “hit” broke up the perfect game? Former Ironpig Jason Donald.

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Anyone notice the Phillies lack of offense lately? Someone needs to send a new set of binoculars to the bullpen. Coincidence?

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Again, I want to reiterate my disappointment in DeWayne Wise choosing to leave for greener pastures. Having someone of that quality on the team is costly for us fans. We will miss you DeWayne!

Well, this losing streak has its first casualty. We also have an answer to why DeWayne Wise wasn’t placed on the Disabled List for his recent injury.

As heard on the broadcast of today’s game, details still unclear, but it appears Wise elected to leave the team and pursue other options out there.

Looking at the Phillies and the Ironpigs.. you really can’t blame him. Wise could easily be on a Major League roster and running a 4 way competition for an outfield spot on the losingest team in AAA baseball would not be a treat for anyone.

It’s a shame really, he seemed to be the only outfielder who could muster a smile out there in Coca Cola Park’s outfield.

Good luck and farewell DeWayne Wise!

Just called the Ironpig’s ticket office and reiterated a question I’ve heard a lot in the past few weeks.

“Are All Star game tickets printed yet?”

Well the answer is, not yet… but on Monday June 7th the answer will be YES!

Getting closer Pig fans… getting closer.

Our next task is to get at least one Ironpig into the game. Voting starts on June 4th… just 2 days from now and can be accessed on the International League website.

Don’t forget to write in your favorite if they aren’t included on the form.

OINK!

Well they lost 6 in a row now. In game 1 of the doubleheader in Toledo today the Pigs took a 3 to 1 lead into the 7th inning (the final inning of AAA doubleheader games) and an error by Melvin Dorta could have ended the game but it resulted in Drew Carpenter being pulled from the game for the most solid pitcher the Pigs have. Scott Mathieson came in with two runners on and promptly gave up a 2 run double followed by a walk off 2 run homerun to take his first loss of the 2010 season.

Sellers and Dorta both had a 2 hit game and Dorta had the Pig’s lone RBI.

Game 2 didn’t start any better. Brian Mazone allowed 2 runs to cross in the first inning. He later allowed another run and the Pigs only mustered 3 hits for the game. Pigs lose 0 to 3.

The Ironpigs are now hitting .245 as a team.

So what to say after a few days like this… who really knows.

Scott Mathieson has shown himself vulnerable to the Ironpig’s recent run of misplay.

The starting pitching staff is still doing a decent job. Relief has been doing ok.

The offense is struggling even though Andy Tracy has found his bat of old.

I wonder if the Pigs have been watching the Phillies play. Are they trying to be like the big league team? With the way everyone on the Ironpigs are playing there is no threat to a Phillies player or even bench player. No fear of replacement.. could that be the problem in Philly and in the Lehigh Valley?

We do hear a lot that if the Phillies succeed that the entire organization succeeds but if they fail does that mean the Pigs have to fail too? Heck, Reading is getting walked over a lot lately too. With a 21 and 28 record they are showing signs of this years raincloud looming overhead.

For injury updates, Todd Zolecki posted on his Twitter account that Placido Polanco is not expected to play until Friday… Jimmy Rollins will not be recalled from the Disabled list when eligible on Sunday and that JA Happ may be looking at a rehab start soon.

DeWayne Wise was not in tonight’s lineup but it was reported that he took batting practice today. Hopefully we see him back soon.

The Pigs lost again last night in extra innings. Joe Savery went 6 innings throwing 96 pitches with 56 of them being strikes. Makes you wonder where the starting pitcher’s control has been the last few games.

Thompson, Duffy and Sellers each had a 2 hit game.

Andy Tracy was 0 for 1 with 4 walks.. one of the intentional. Looks like he’s back. Let’s hope he stays himself for a while.

The Ironpigs are now again a league worst 18 wins 31 losses.

OK, I don’t do this often but get ready for my opinion and feel free to share yours in the comment section.

I am tired of retro days. I’m even tired of the word retro.

60’s day, 70’s day, 80’s day. What happened to 1880 to 1950? Aren’t those years “retro” enough? How about some big band music for the 40’s or barbershop quartets for the 1880’s? Wool uniforms, short brimmed hats and umpires wearing tuxedos?

Yeah I know.. not going to happen. I do like when the players get to wear the older uniforms for a change… I love those Phillies baby blues although the White Sox shorts experiment.. not so much.

How about a future day? Silver space uniforms and Ferrous and FeFe take the field on a hovercraft or via a jetpack? Yeah, I know… not going to happen.

Maybe I’m getting old, maybe I’m just longing for the days before loud speakers and electronic scoreboards. I do love those day games that seem to be fewer and fewer each season.

After tonight.. I wouldn’t put something like that happening out of mind. Really, last week during the home stand an unidentified person started the rumor that this latest teen fad would be part of a summer concert series and it went like wild fire across the concourse at CCP.

Speaking of on fire.. Andy Tracy is surface of the sun hot! He was walked twice tonight before launching a monster 2 run homerun to bring the Pigs within 2 runs. The homerun was initially called foul by the first base umpire Travis Brown but was overruled by crew chief and home plate umpire Alan Porter. Columbus’ manager Mike Sarbaugh was ejected in the ensuing protest. You really don’t see many calls overturned but it appears that this one was a no brainer. I am by no means an advocate of instant replay but if an umpire huddle can produce the correct call.. I am all for that. This was Andy’s 3rd homerun in the last two games.

Nate Bump threw 96 pitches with 56 for strikes and 6 Clippers crossed home plate on 8 hits. Bump lasted only 5 innings.

Pigs lost 5 to 7.

And a baseball blog would be incomplete without mentioning tonight’s Phillies game where Roy Halladay pitched MLB’s 20th perfect game against the Florida Marlins. The last perfect game by a Phillie was by Jim Bunning. What surprised me even more was that MLB Network carried the last few innings of the game. Communist-Cast cable network allowed them to re-broadcast and that amazes me. All the stink they made when DirecTV was the only provider with the NFL Network and now they monopolize all but a few Phillies game.. well that’s another story.

Remember this day, it will soon end up in trivia question land.

I listened to tonight’s game on and off between a trip to the grocery store and Blockbuster. I turned the radio off when the Pig’s were down 7 to 3 and turned it back on to hear the call of Andy Tracy’s grand slam thinking the game was tied. I missed a few runs and the blast by Tracy only put the Pigs within 3. Yikes. The Pigs pitchers came into tonight’s game 2nd in the league in ERA and although someone (not naming names #1) had another error, all the runs were earned.

The most runs they’ve scored in a while.. they still lost 7 to 11.

It looks like Tracy’s shoulder is feeling better, either that or he is toughing out the pain. He went 3 for 5 last night and 2 for 4 with 2 home runs and an Ironpig team record 6 RBI in tonight’s game. All Star voting begins next week and let’s hope his recovery numbers help him return to the International League lineup.

Carlos Carrasco (Columbus, former Ironpig) went 7 innings allowing 11 hits and 7 runs (6 earned). He struck out 7, walked 2 and allowed 3 home runs. Carrasco had not had a win in his last 4 starts.

Brandon Duckworth was listed by Baseball America this morning as the highest strikeout per batter faced percentage and he lasted only 3 innings allowing 4 runs on 5 hits. With 38 strikes in 68 pitches.. he seemed to have some control problems today.

Ehren Wasserman got slammed again. He had a few good stints but lasted 2.1 innings allowing 5 runs on 4 hits.

Cody Ransom also had 3 hits tonight.

Andy Tracy returned to the lineup tonight to go 3 for 5 with an RBI. He must have discovered something in his week off but it wasn’t enough to keep the Ironpigs from losing 2-3 tonight in 11 innings in Columbus. I bet their bells are ringing tonight.

Gordon took the loss.

Great video of a promotion in Reading.