Wierd?

Wait?

What?

Much like this morning’s post it’s difficult to put this season (thus far) into words and it’s not a bad weird – just odd weird. It seems that things have happened this year that are rarely seen. Triple plays, the hidden ball trick, crazy walk-offs, big come-backs, huge (painful) losses, talented “kids” from Reading, Richie T traded, D Mitch busting his arm, who’s on third?, Schwim gone, LF crashing into CF 3 times in a week,  Kratzie doing his best

Avoid the Cloyd

yo-yo impression and the list goes on and on.

“Feast or Famine” was the way fellow fan and friend Joe described it and while I agree with Joe, there are still times that the ‘Pigs just find ways to win games. At the same time there are certainly those “feast or famine” times.

Regardless of all that the IronPigs find themselves in first place in the IL North.

The standings of the Phillies always effects us and this year has been an anomoly with all of the injuries and bullpen issues the Phillies have suffered. Such is the nature of AAA where the goal truly isn’t to win. In 2010, Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLosAngeles.com wrote:

Tim Wallach’s job, roughly speaking, is to get the players on his team ready to play in the major leagues. Winning is nice, but secondary. It’s much more important for a young prospect like outfielder Xavier Paul to get regular at-bats against lefties, or work on dropping down sacrifice bunts with a runner on first, than it is to take three of four from the Portland Beavers.

Just before getting the call-up as the Dodger’s 3rd base coach Wallach was the manager for the AAA Albuquerque Isotopes.  Certainly Ryne Sandberg’s job is the same which is why Scott Elarton will pitch 7 innings no matter how many runs he may give up. I’m not picking on Scott by any means just offering an example of how AAA baseball is just different from the Majors.

Regardless of all that the IronPigs find themselves in first place in the IL North.

Eric Kratz carries a big stick and knows how to use it!

LHV has had 92 total transaction as of the latest roster update (7/7).  Since the beginning of May, Erik Kratz has traveled the turn-pike no less than 9 times – I hope he has an E-Z Pass. If you compare today’s starting line-up to that of opening day (4/5) only Frandsen, Overbeck, and Blanco are the same.  There’s been more roster turnovers than IHOP!

Apparently, a player has 72 hours to report to AAA once they have been optioned. It’s a shame Hector Luna most likely will not make the double-header tomorrow either when we sure could use his bat.

Regardless of all that the IronPigs find themselves in first place in the IL North.

Seems the famine has emerged once again and the ‘Pigs  have not scored a run in their last 15 innings – and were shut-out by the Redwings 4 – zip tonight. The dreaded RISP stat returns (1 for 17 and left 12 on base) in their last two games.  “Oy Vey!”

No need for panic – we’ll get some road wins – take a little break for the All-Star festivities – and return home for some more great baseball and wins at Coca-Cola Park! The real question is when will Jimmy T return once again!?! The mystery ensues!

Hopefully, the feared 7 inning double-header will fare well! Let’s go Ty-ler! Speaking of Cloyd, why is he still here – he’s been great since opening day’s call-up. Not complaining and I probably shouldn’t have mentioned it but the Phils sure are taking their time with him – perhaps they learned from the “Brown incident(s)”.

Tyson Brummett will get another spot start in the 2nd game of the double-header. A few games ago I heard Phillippe Aumont “politely” informing Brummett that he was out of “the club” (the reliever club) because he was now a starter at which Tyson “Brummetted” back “I am NOT a starter”! I wonder if Phillippe will let him back in this time? All in good fun I’m sure.

Dishing in first place

While contemplating this post I thought how difficult it may be to put the last 11 days into simple text. For those who watched every pitch of every game you can appreciate the Good Sheppard Rehab appearances by both Chase Utley and Ryan Howard. Six nights of fireworks in a row, the heat, walk-offs, and so on.

So many interesting things happened that most likely will never be duplicated again at Coca-Cola Park and the memories are plentiful (most of them “swampy”)…

Dramatic come from behind victories including back-to-back walk-offs, one by a walk and another by a wild pitch, two grand-slams (one ours), awesome Pig Stop menus, IronPigs employees going all-out, 6 nights of fireworks in a row (Who does that?)  and the list goes on and on.

All that topped off with the return of Tim Keeler who while on leave was fortunate to get out to a few games and even had a chat with Matt & Jon on the air. I know he thoroughly enjoyed himself – God Speed Tim!

Among old friends and new friends, those that did not pass-out from the heat enjoyed some great baseball – oh and the worst loss in franchise history way back in June against Pawtucket 14-1 – and it was moderately painful. It was fun however to see infielder Tugg HUElett “the dogs out” pitch a scoreless inning and then follow it up with a home-run!

Further still was an entire day of adventure during July 1st’s day-night double-header. From arriving at the Park at 10:30 for sausage egg and cheese sandwiches to the amazing bar-b-que between games it was over 12 hours of awesomeness. Thank you Kram and Dan for the great cooking!

Here’s a look inside the numbers…

LHV outscored their opponents 64-60 but came away with an 8-4 record during the 12 games and now lead the IL North by 3 games over the Pawtucket RedSox.

The IronPigs combined for a .293 average with 120 total hits – 25 doubles – 5 triples – 7 home-runs including a granny by Tug HUElett himself and a HR each by Utley and Howard along with 41 walks and 68 K’s.

A total of 107 1/2 innings were played resulting in 35 hours and 12 minutes of baseball seen by 114,759 (5 sell-outs) and on 6/26 what I believe to be the 3rd largest crowd in CCP history with only the Phillies appearance and the All-Star Game eclipsing this day.

The average box score game listed temperature was 89 degrees but there were times the real-feel temp was at least 105 – it was dog-gone hot! The waffles and ice cream sure came in handy and you should be sure to get one – just remember it’s enough for at least two or a small family!

All in all – again almost indescribable and I know I’m still missing some stuff from the list but it is surely another IronPig summer not soon forgotten.

Got a couple pix (see below) – to see more check out the NoiseNation FB Page and be sure to follow @CherylPursell on twitter for more great shots. Of course always visit the IronPigs FB Page for even more great shots!

Thank you IronPigs for all of your hard work – fans around the park loved all of it – now try to get a little rest over the break!

In the immortal words of Matt Provence, “How do you like all that?”  The answer given mostly – A LOT!

Going to hit up Reading for the “HR Derby” and the All-Star Game. Stay tuned for those posts – there should be some interesting shots from the infield during the Derby!

The ‘Pigs will play 11 on the road before returning to the LHV on July 20 and we’ll see you there!

Epic Dishing

Classic Ryno

Kevin Frandsen’s shoes honoring his brother DJ. See this great post from Michael LoRe for the touching story.

Chase Utley packed the stands!

Coca-Cola Park – Capacity Crowd.

NBC – Philly’s John Clark was one of the many media on hand for Chase Utley.

The Noise Nation Flag made an appearance during the Day-Night Double-Header.

Independence Day Sunset.

Uncle Sam even made an appearance!

Topped off by tons of fireworks!

Billy “Leechboy” Patrick was the entertainer of the evening at Coca-Cola Park and the singer song-writer is quite a talent. From a Marshall Tucker Band cover to his own hand penned artistry we will see him on the MTV and/or CMTV Music Awards one day – I’ll tell ya that!

Certainly a unique sound with influences (according to Billy) from The Beatles to Bill Monroe to Johnny Cash, Hank Williams Jr, Phish, and even a hint of Rush all with his own style of looping various percussion, chords and harmonies. Follow him on Facebook and be sure to get out and see him – he will return to Coca-Cola Park a few more times this year!

Billy “Leechboy” Patrick performs at Coca-Cola Park

Click below for a sample of Billy’s talent and a great tune for July 4th!

Dishing in God’s Country

Great stuff here from the hard-working Media Relations Department – from Matt Provence to Jon Schaeffer, Tim Doohan and Kenny. MLB Clubs take a lesson from this group!

Click below to hear “The Voice” Matt Provence with another IronPigs classic radio call.

Below is the Ryan Howard Presser from 7/2. 

Ryan Howard post game comments 7/2/12 with Triple-A Lehigh Valley

 On how he felt facing someone with Major League experience:

It felt good, it felt good. Ortiz was out there he was moving them pretty well, moving them pretty well. You know for me still it’s just a matter of getting settled in. I felt like I saw the ball pretty well. I kind of came forward a little bit with my lower half but kind of made the adjustment that last at bat and I was just searching a little bit but it felt good, all in all it felt good.

Was the double the most promising sign in his rehab so far:

I mean I had a double in Lakewood too. I’ve been in some of those situations now where its good getting into those RBI situations or some of those tough tension type situations in the game and what not. It’s good, it’s good so it helps me with my approach and to keep my mindset right.

On what it means when he is hitting the ball to left:

It tells me I’ve been working. It’s me allowing myself to see the ball, let it travel a little bit and just try to take it that way. The first couple at bats my lower body came forward a little bit which is going to make me come around it and I was able to stay behind it.

On whether pitch recognition or timing has been more difficult:

I wouldn’t really say either. I mean I’ve gotten a lot of at bats down in Clearwater with simulated games. I think it’s more now just getting settled in and getting used to the situations again. So I feel like, knock on wood, I’ve been able to recognize pitches pretty well. It’s a little tough early on where your kind of dealing with the shadows but you know that’s another aspect of the game you have to go and play through. I feel like it’s more once I can feel a little bit more comfortable settled in ill be alright.

On whether he thinks he will be back before the All-Star break:

I think any thing is possible. You never know. Just take it day-by-day and go from there.

On what he is doing tomorrow:

Ill be back here, answering questions after the game from you guys once again. And I’m playing first base tomorrow so get your first base questions ready. I’ll be back here playing again tomorrow.

On how long he will play:

I think it’ll be seven. Five-to-seven innings probably.

On what he feels like he needs to get done before being ready to return to the Phillies:

I don’t know, I mean, I think what’s going to happen is just see how it feels on a day-to-day basis and just keep going out there and we’ll see what happens. Once you get to the five, seven innings and you get good paces of games, knock on wood, keep the games going kind of the way they’ve been going, and just see how it feels and see if it stands up.

On whether he feels pressure to return sooner with the Phillies struggles:

Aw man no. I’m just kind of on my own pace right now just wanting to make sure I get comfortable at the plate get comfortable on the field seeing the ball on defense, reading balls off the bat and reading throws. So once I’m comfortable with that I should be alright.

On whether he needs to have a certain level of confidence in the foot to return:

Oh I got plenty of confidence in my foot, I mean it felt good on the double. Actually getting out of the box and rounding first were the two things I was focused on the most and once I was able to get out of the box I felt like I was pretty explosive out of the box and wasn’t very hesitant around first base, so that was a plus tonight.

On whether he lobbied to stay in instead of being lifted for a pinch runner:

Yea, I was like I don’t need a runner, I’m good. But I guess he wanted to do otherwise. But I mean it all worked out, we won the game.

Still Dishing