MLB verteran Mike Fontenot (INF) (usually 2B) was activated from the temporary inactive list and assigned to LHV today.

The 31 year old, Lousianna native, was drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 21st round of the 1999 MLB June Amateur Draft and the Baltimore Orioles in the 1st round (19th) of the 2001 MLB June Amateur Draft

Mike brings another (veteran) lefty bat to LHV and has 6 years of MLB service (Cubs/Giants) under his belt. During his MLB career he hit .263 with 26 HR, 266 SO, and 133 BB. Wonder how he hits with runners in scoring position?

In 2004 Fontenot played for the Ottawa Lynx which (as you know) eventually became the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.

So, welcome back? Or perhaps welcome aboard Mike!

OinK On!

DiPro’s Dish

Yes, how many times must the long balls fly
Before they’re never caught?
The answer my friend is blowin’ in the wind
The answer is blowin’ in the wind.

The answer was certainly blowing  in the wind today as the IronPigs were windblown into 3-2 loss with at lease two blasts that without the wind would have changed the outcome. Erik Kratz blasted one to center that surely would have been gone and Kevin Frandsen blasted one to left center that would have surely tied the game in the 9th.

In fact, the weather was so nasty (wind chills in the 30’s) that the scheduled double header was re-scheduled until July and today’s game will therefore be of the 9 inning variety. Let’s see if the ‘Pigs can take advantage and squeak out a final win on this week long (6 games) road trip.

Bottom 1 – Attack of the Wings

Ben Revere (LF) leads the game off with a single followed by a Matt Carson (RF) double that scores Revere. Wings 1 – Pigs 0

Bottom 3 – Return of the Wings

Ray Chang (2B) singles then Ben Revere (LF) singles. Brian Dozier (SS) bunts to Hector Luna at 3^rd and Luna charges, makes a strong throw in the dirt, dug out by Cody Overbeck and Dozier just beats it out – Dozier is credited with a single.

Matt Carson (RF) knocks a sac fly to Derrick Micthell in CF and scores Chang.  Joe Benson (CF) then smacks a ground ball past 3^rd scoring Revere. Pigs now down 3 – 0.

Top 4 – Nine straight innings without a run until…

Andres Blanco (SS) and Domonic Brown(LF) begin the 4^th with back-to-back singles. The IronPigs get their first run when Hector Luna (3B) grounds to short scoring Blanco. Rochester 3 – Lehigh Valley 1

Kevin Frandsen (2B) pops out to left fielder Ben Revere (LF) for the 2^nd out.

The IronPigs finally get a hit with runners in scoring position with a single scoring Brown for his team leading 10^th RBI.

Derrick Mitchell (CF) grounds out to 3^rd to end the inning. Red Wings 3 – IronPigs 2

Top 5 – Holy Kratz! (it’s windy)

Erik Kratz blasts one to center – Benson goes back – and the ball falls out the sky when it’s knocked down by the Arctic blast. Wings 3 – ‘Pigs 3  2

Top 6 – More RISP / No Scoring

Andres Blanco leads the inning with a single.

Domonic Brown flies out to center (1 out).

Hector Luna grounds into a 4-3 FC for the 2^nd out advancing Blanco to 2^nd.

With still yet another runner in scoring position Kevin Frandsen fouls out to former IronPig Matt Rizzotti to end the inning. Wings 3 – ‘Pigs 2

Bottom 6 – The return of Valdes

Valdes strikes out Benson swinging.  1-out

Michael Hollimon (3B) is called out on strikes. 2 down

Aaron “Norman” Bates pops out to Domonic Brown in left to end the inning.

Time for the ‘Pigs bats to get warmed up!

Top 7 – Diamonds are not a ‘Pigs best friend

Cody Overbeck flies out to 3^rd baseman Holliman in a win blown, adventurous pop. The wind is brutal today blowing in from Lake Ontario.

Derrick Mitchell grounds out to 3^rd baseman Holliman.

Lou Montanzez fouls out to our friend, first-baseman Matt Rizzotti.

Scott Diamond with 7 strong innings giving up 4 hits, 2 runs (both un-earned) 4 SO and no walks.

Bottom 7^th – Valdez retires 6 in a row

J.R. Towles (C) flies out to left.

Ray Chang flies out to center

Ben Revere grounds out to Overbeck at 1^st – unassisted.

Six outs left for the ‘Pigs to create some offense.

Top 8 – Fien is just Fine

Casey Fien on to replace starter Scott Diamond.

Kratz flies out to RF, Podsednik flies out to LF, Blanco grounds out to Fien to end the inning after 11 pitches.

Bottom 8 – Diekman no Leakman

Brian Dozier grounds out to short.  1 out

Matt Carson singles on a line drive to center fielder.

Pitching change (Jake Diekman) for LHV replacing Valdes who pitched 2 1/3, 1 H, 0 R, 2 K, and 0 BB.

Carson steals 2^nd on the first pitch from Diekman.

Matt Rizzotti grounds out on a tough play by pitcher Diekman and Carson advances to 3^rd.

Joe Benson – “Cuuuttt on and Missed” on a 94 mph fastball to end the inning and left 90’ of insurance on 3^rd.

Last chance for the ‘Pigs as Brown, Luna, and Frandsen – 2 ,  3,  4 come to the plate.

Top 9 – RISP? NOPE!

Domonic Brown flies out to left on a line shot right in the mitt of RF Matt Carson. 1 out

Hector Luna singles on a liner to right and Richie T replaces Luna running at first.

Kevin Frandsen rips a line drive to right center, Rich Thompson rounds 2^nd and the Canadian win strikes again as center fielder Matt Carson tracks it down just in front of the 390’ sign.

Rich Thomson steals 2^nd followed by Cody Overbeck’s  ground out on a close play – Rizzotti to pitcher Fien.

The Red Wings revenge the 3 game sweep at Coca-Cola Park by sweeping the ‘Pigs at Frontier Fields. LHV ends the 6 game road trip 2-4 and return for Monday’s home stand 1 game behind Pawtucket in the IL N.

Tomorrow is Richie T bobblehead day better get there early!

Pig Out!

DiPro’s Dish

No sure if we can blame Milli Vanilli but today’s game at the Rochester Red Wings has been rescheduled as part of a dreaded 7 inning doubleheader tomorrow beginning at 1:05 pm. Austin Hyatt (2-0, 2.20) is scheduled on the hill for the ‘Pigs and Scott Diamond (3-0, 1.47) for the Wings.

Go Pigs!

DiPro’s Dish

The IronPigs began their 3 game series against the Rochester Red Wings on 4/20 with a 5-2 loss.

A lucky fan from Northampton won $250 in the Good Shepherd Back-to-Back Homerun Sweepstakes Contest when 8 and 9 hitters Derrick Mitchell and Tuffy Gosewisch hit the IronPigs first back-to-back home runs of the season to jump out to a 2-0 lead.

Unfortunately, for LHV that was the only scoring they would plate and dropped their 5th game of the season and (pending the result of Durham vs. Pawtucket) may fall out of sole possession of the lead in the IL North.

Despite 11 hits, the IronPigs would leave 9 on base and go 0-7 with RISP.  (Rochester was 3-8 with RISP.)

Tuffy Gosewisch (C) 3 for 4 with the solo blast in the 3^rd.

Domonic Brown (LF) 2 for 3 with 1 BB and 1 SO.

Joe Thurston (2B) 2 for 4.

Dave Bush (1-2) gets this loss with 4.2 innings pitched surrendering 7 hits, 4 earned runs and 1 strike out.

Tough loss for the IronPigs and hopefully tomorrow LHV will square up the series with Rochester and get ready for the record setting home stand on Monday.

Click below for the Matt Provence IronPigs Radio Recap of the Game.

Depending on the severity of the Carlos Ruiz wrist injury we may see a transaction or two if the Phillies require a catcher. Will Kratz go?

Game time for Saturday is 1:05 pm.

Let’s Go ‘Pigs!

DiPro’s Dish