The IronPigs got a quality start out of Brian Bass today and a 3 run HR from the Moss Hogg to take down the Charlotte Knights and break the 5 game losing streak.

Bass went 6 innings allowing 2 runs on 7 hits.

Of note, John Mayberry went 3 for 4 today with a run scored and an RBI. I really like what I’m seeing out of Mayberry since his return from Philadelphia. He seems more relaxed and looks like he’s having more fun out there. Glad to have him in the lineup each day.

The Schwim-fans were excited to see Michael Schwimer earn the win today. He is now 4-0 with a 2.03 ERA.

Tomorrow is the Domonic Brown bobblehead give away. I’m going to be honest. If you absolutely HAVE to get a bobblehead, show up no later than 4:00pm. I would even recommend going earlier. I’ve heard folks talking about arriving with their lunch around noon. Yes, there will be a long line and a long wait. If you don’t get one, no biggie. Just check Ebay and be prepared to shell out some cash.

OinK!

It’s been 4 games since the Phanatic took a foul ball to the neck at Coca Cola Park and the IronPigs have lost four very disappointing games.

Coincidence?

The Pigs haven’t been playing poorly, minus some miscues here and there and it seems that if it could go wrong, it has gone wrong.

Should we make a gesture to honor the Phanatic to ease some good karma back our way? Any thoughts/ideas on that?

***

At this point of the season, the Pigs have had 22 different pitchers out on the mound. To say that it’s been a turnstall into the rotation would be an understatement and the Phillies have plundered the bullpen time and time again. Yes, yes.. I know, it’s about the Phillies and I agree whole heartedly. It’s just that we’ve gotten a taste of winning and it’s quickly becoming addictive. We have fun, regardless of winning or losing, but it’s a heck of a lot more fun cheering on a team when they win. Maybe us fans have gotten too greedy too fast. The fat kid who eats and whole gallon of ice cream and gets brain freeze. (I was a fat kid so I can say that) Either way, this is our town.. it’s our team, we triumph no matter what!

***

There are a few other things I would like to say, but I don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. I have bad days at work too and prefer to keep things on a positive note. I ask that you try, make a sincere effort and do your best. If you do, I will be appreciative.

***

By the way, the Pigs lost to Charlotte tonight by a score of 4-6. This loss, combined with a SWB win today places SWB only 2 games behind the Pigs in the IL North. I really hope they can scrape out a few wins before a well needed break over All Star week.

***

One last note to say farewell to our new friends Ron and Emily who spent the week visiting here in the LV to see the IronPigs. They came out from Oklahoma and quickly grew attached to the great atmosphere at CCP. Great having you here and you are welcome to visit again soon!

OinK!

The Pigs lost again tonight by a final score of 4 to 5. Charlotte took an early lead in the first combining a single, walk and throwing error to create a run. The error did not cause the run, but it gave it a bad taste so early.

The Knights held a 3-2 lead into the 9th but added two more when Justing DeFratus allowed 2 hits and walked 2 allowing 2 runs to score. This was big as Jeff Larish hit a monster home run into the centerfield lawn and brought the Pigs within two.

***

The game of baseball is an interesting one. You can hit the ball weakly and score and hit the ball hard and be out. Recently the Pigs have been poster children for the latter. The ball just hasn’t fallen their way this past week or so. It will turn around, even the best teams have slumps and that’s what this is. Losing 4 games in a row they look to get back in the win column tomorrow.

OinK!

If the IronPig’s couldn’t be squeezed for more, see below:

LHP Les Walrond promoted to LHV from Reading (AA).

RHP Scott Mathieson recalled by Philadelphia from Lehigh Valley.

RHP Juan Sosa promoted to LHV from Lakewood (A).

Of note, Mathieson will be taking Roy Oswalt’s spot on the roster. Oswalt has been added to the DL.

Dane Sardinha is expected to return to the Pigs with Brian Schneider returning to the Phillies.

Of the 12 pitchers on the Opening Day roster only these remain on the current active roster:
Bass
Carpenter
Feierabend
Grilli
Schwimer
Zagurski

Surprised that Perez was selected over Zagurski. Wondering how many options he has left or some deal like that.

OinK!

It seemed like we’ve seen this before. Down 3-5 in the 9th, same umpiring crew.. a rally starting, 2 runners on base and 1 out.

Then came the rain, and boy did it ever rain. Fortunately it stopped after a short time and the grounds crew went to work. If we look back at that infamous game in Buffalo where the game was called mid-rally resulting in a Buffalo win, many fans tonight were anticipating the same. Sadly enough, the Pigs couldn’t get the momentum back and the post delay portion of the game lasted only 5 pitches.

***

The night started off well enough. It was Faith night at the park tonight with Jason Grilli and Rich Thompson both sharing their experiences with about a dozen fans in the outfield grass. Nice guys and great chat with them.

Rich Thompson did stop to try the Speed pitch..

He got a little ribbing from Grilli for the speed but I give him points on form.

Tomorrow is another day and another new team to see. Charlotte arrives for the 2nd half of this homestand.

OinK!

CATCHER
1) Erik Kratz, Lehigh Valley
2) Jesus Montero, Scranton/WB
3) Devin Mesoraco, Louisville
4) Jesus Flores, Syracuse
5) Michael McKenry, Pawtucket

FIRST BASE
1) Lars Anderson, Pawtucket
2) Jeff Larish, Lehigh Valley
3) Chris Marrero, Syracuse
4) Ryan Strieby, Toledo
5) Matt Hague, Indianapolis

SECOND BASE
1) Josh Barfield, Lehigh Valley
2) Jason Kipnis, Columbus
3) Will Rhymes, Toledo
4) Tony Thomas, Pawtucket
5) Chris Valaika, Louisville

SHORTSTOP
1) Jose Iglesias, Pawtucket
2) Chase d’Arnaud, Indianapolis
3) Zack Cozart, Louisville
4) Chris McConnell, Syracuse
5) Cale Iorg, Toledo

THIRD BASE
1) Lonnie Chisenhall, Columbus
2) Brian Friday, Indianapolis
3) Ronnie Belliard, Lehigh Valley
4) Todd Frazier, Louisville
5) Russ Canzler, Durham

DESIGNATED HITTER
1) Michael Aubrey, Syracuse
2) Andy Marte, Indianapolis
3) Chris Carter, Gwinnett
4) Cord Phelps, Columbus
5) Stefan Gartrell, Gwinnett

OUTFIELD
1) Jeremy Hermida, Louisville
2) Desmond Jennings, Durham
3) Yonder Alonso, Louisville
4) Brandon Moss, Lehigh Valley
5) Alex Presley, Indianapolis
6) Rich Thompson, Lehigh Valley
7) Daniel Nava, Pawtucket
8) Lucas Duda, Buffalo
9) Brandon Guyer, Durham
10) Benjamin Guez, Toledo

STARTING PITCHER
1) Brian Gordon, Lehigh Valley
2) Julio Teheran, Gwinnett
3) Adam Wilk, Toledo
4) Tom Milone, Syracuse
5) Dontrelle Willis, Louisville
6) Zach McAllister, Columbus
7) Brad Lincoln, Indianapolis
8) Duane Below, Toledo
9) Andrew Miller, Pawtucket
10) Ross Detwiler, Syracuse

RELIEF PITCHER
1) Jeff Mandel, Syracuse
2) Drew Carpenter, Lehigh Valley
3) Scott Mathieson, Lehigh Valley
4) Kevin Whelan, Scranton/WB
5) Tim Wood, Indianapolis
6) Mike Zagurski, Lehigh Valley
7) Michael Schwimer, Lehigh Valley
8) Justin Hampson, Buffalo
9) Zach Putnam, Columbus
10) Tony Pena, Pawtucket

Our friend Emily reminded me last night that today is the 27th anniversary of “The Sandberg game”

I’ve written about this before… (From my post dated 1/26/2011)

It was June 23, 1984. NBC had chosen to nationally televise a game between long time rivals the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs at Wrigley field. The Cubs were playing well this season, and as a team that had been pretty bad over the years, the league hadn’t really taken them seriously yet. That would change with this game. The Cardinals were ahead by one run enterering the bottom of the ninth inning and pitching was their ace closer, Bruce Sutter. To bat was a young Ryne Sandberg. Sandberg tied the game with a home run over the left field ivy to tie the game at 9. The Cardinals responded with two runs of their own in the top of the 10th inning. Sutter remained in the game with a 2 run lead and again faced Sandberg, this time with a runner on base. Sandberg again took Sutter deep to tie the game. The Cubs went on to win the game in the 11th inning.

Although St. Louis’ Willie McGee had already been named the NBC Player of the Game, it was Sandberg’s feat that played the ultimate role.

The Cubs would win the Division that year with a record of 96 wins – 65 losses. They went on to lose to the Padres in the National League Championship Series. The Cardinals would finish in third place, 12.5 games back.

In 1984 Sandberg would earn his 1st All Star game selection, his 2nd Gold Glove, his 1st Silver Slugger Award and was named the National League MVP. He was inducted into the MLB Hall of Fame in 2005. He is currently the manager of our Lehigh Valley Ironpigs.

When you get to the game tonight, go and help Ryne Sandberg remember this great day and hope our IronPigs can pull out a win!

OinK!

Here is a video of what happened to the Phillie Phanatic last night as posted by The Fightins and compliments of those great folks at Service Electric 2.

The Fightins is a great site and I encourage you to visit often.

The IronPigs jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the first inning and all seemed well in hand but the Indianapolis Indians hit the ball more efficiently and beat the Pigs by a score of 5 to 10.

Home Runs by John Mayberry and Tagg Bozied got the Pigs on the board early. Collectively the Pigs had 14 hits but weren’t able to push the runs across. There was a lot of running going on too. Moss and Thompson both had 2 stolen bases and Orr added one with Moss caught stealing once. The Indians also had 5 stolen bases on the night.

***
The bigger news was that the Phillie Phanatic was hit by a foul ball tonight. While seated with fans behind the 1st base dugout, a quick foul ball beelined into him and in true Phanatic phashion, he played it off well.. arms waving and spinning around. Sadly, word is the Phanatic really did take a hit and was taken to a local hospital as a precautionary measure. Wishing a quick recovery to our beloved Phillie mascot. If the Phanatic does hit the DL, I think a nice gesture would be to offer the services of Ferrous the Pig to follow in the footsteps of other IronPigs who went to the Bigs.

***
Just saw from Mike Lore’ of LehighValleyLive.com that Juan Perez will be heading to Philadelphia tomorrow. Congrats to Perez! Perhaps Ferrous could catch a ride there with him…

***

Tonight was game #72. That’s halfway for the 144 game AAA season for our Pigs. Riding a 43 win 29 loss record at the halfway point is a great feeling and hope they can get back to business as tomorrow is another day. While the season is flying by, our early season stacked schedule of home games has the halfway portion of our season happening a couple home stands ago. Is it time to start thinking about playoffs yet?

***

A lot of stuff to cover tonight.. tomorrow! TOMORROW! It’s finally time for the Noise Nation spotlight feature portion of the PBS 39 IronPig’s documentary. Come out to the game tomorrow and join us behind the bullpens and join in the fun!

OinK!

Many Major League teams hold fantasy camps. Retired and current players get together with a bunch of 30+ fans and spend the day on the ball field with past and present. Have some fun and play baseball.

Personally, I haven’t played a baseball game since my last American Legion game in 1994. I gave up my last year of eligibility to enlist in the Marines at 17 and I have to say I really miss playing ball. It’s been many years since that game and while my body wouldn’t be able to handle the rigors of catching a double-header in 100 degree weather anymore, I would love the opportunity to toss on the glove for a day, even if it was a friendly game amongst friends. (Note – Pinch runner needed in every possible situation)

What do you all think?