Lehigh Valley lost each and every game since we last spoke and now stand at 2-20, in last place in the Northern Division of the International League, already 12.5 games out of first. The ‘Pigs have no player among the league leaders in hitting.  In the pitching categories, JA Happ is 4th in innings (26.1)and first in strikeouts (32).  Ron Chiavacci is 3rd in innings pitched (27.1). and 7th in strikeouts with 23.

Week in Review–Lehigh Valley continued its losing ways Friday night with an 8-3 loss to Toledo, closing its first homestand at 2-6. JA Happ (0-3)was hit around for seven runs (4 earned) on eight hits over 5.2 innings.  The Mudhens were winning 8-0 before Lehigh Valley showed any life, eventually scoring three late runs, including a Val Pascucci homer(1). TJ Bohn added 2 hits for the ‘Pigs.

Ron Chiavacci (1-1) came back to earth on Saturday night as the ‘Pigs opened a series on the road in Syracuse and lost 6-5.  Chiavacci struggled, giving up back to back homers in the 2nd inning, another homer in the 4th, and then three runs in the 6th to end his night.  He walked none and struck out five. The game was a see-saw battle with the lead going back and forth until the 6th when Syracuse took over for good dropping the ‘Pigs to 2-15.  Brandon Watson was 2-5 with 2 runs scored, Mike Spidale was 2-4 with a double and a run, Brennan King was 2-4 with a double and 2 runs, Joey Hammond was 2-4 with a triple and TJ Bohn added two hits in the best offensive effort yet for Lehigh Valley. An excellent outing by Brian Mazone (1-3) was wasted on Sunday as the ‘Pigs offense again could not produce causing another one run loss, 2-1, to Syracuse.  Mazone went six strong innings giving up 2 runs (1 earned), on six hits.  He walked one and struck out two.  A costly error by Jason Jaramillo on a pickoff attempt led to the second run scored by the Chiefs. The only ‘Pigs run came on an RBI single in the first by Val Pascucci, who scored Mike Spidale who had also singled.   After the first inning Lehigh Valley managed only three hits the rest of the game, and left the bases loaded in the 9th inning.  Damn, how I am getting tired of writing the same thing over and over again….on Tuesday night, Lehigh Valley lost 4-2 behind mediocre pitching (at best), and woeful hitting.  JD Durbin (0-4) went six innings and gave up four runs on four hits.  He walked three and struck out five. The ‘Pigs fell behind 1-0 in the first and then the game was put out of reach in the 5th, on a 3 run homer by Buck Coats. In the 7th inning, a sacrifice fly by Jason Jaramillo and an RBI single by Brennan King cut the Syracuse lead in half, but the ‘Pigs could get no closer. For a fleeting moment, the offense came to life Tuesday afternoon, however, the pitching completely fell apart as the ‘Pigs were swept by Syracuse, 13-6.  Lehigh Valley (2-18) fell behind 6-0 before they could look up, as Travis Blackley (0-3) gave up 6 runs (all earned) in 0.2 innings. The bullpen fared no better as Kevin Beirne, Steve Green and John Ennis then combined to give up another 7 runs.  Notables on offense for Lehigh Valley were Mike Cervenek (2-3 with 2 runs scored), Andy Tracy (2-4, run, double, 3 RBI’s), and Chris Woodward (2-5, run).

Lehigh Valley opened a series on Wednesday against Rochester, and it began like all others, with a loss, 5-3, dropping them to 2-19. The ‘Pigs held a 3-1 lead until the 7th inning behind the pitching of JA Happ who went 7 strong innings giving up only a run on 4 hits.  He walked one and struck out eight.  The bullpen imploded for a second straight night with both Gary Knotts and Steve Kline giving up 2 runs each in 0.1 of an inning to give Rochester a 5-3 lead in the 8th. Andy Tracy hit his 2nd homer of the year for Lehigh Valley and Javon Moran had a nice debut going 1-3 with 2 runs scored and a stolen base. Another game, another loss.  This time Thursday to Rochester, 8-2, to drop the ‘Pigs to 2-20 on the year.  Ron Chiavacci (1-2), had his second consecutive subpar outing, going five innings and giving up five runs on nine hits.  He walked four and struck out three. Lehigh Valley was down 3-0 early before getting a run back in the 4th on Andy Tracy’s 3rd homer, but the game then blew open with Rochester taking a 7-1 lead before the ‘Pigs could muster another run, their last,  on a homer by Mike Cervenek(2).

40 man report–Catcher Jason Jaramillo is now hitting .215 with 2 homers and 3 RBI’s in his 65 at bats, and continues to have problems throwing runners out.  Pitcher JA Happ is now 0-3 with a 4.44 ERA over his 5 starts.  Control has been an issue having allowed 15 walks in 26.1 innings, however hitters are batting only .240 against him and he has 32 strikeouts. Pitcher Joe Bisenius remains on the DL with turf toe. and as mentioned below, OF TJ Bohn was called up to the Phillies to take the place of the injured Chris Snelling.

Transactions: Last Saturday night backup catcher Pete LaForest was released and catcher Tim Gradoville was called up from Reading.  LaForest saw little action for the ‘Pigs and like almost all others had little success at the plate this year.  He was hitting .067 with 8 strikeouts in 15 AB’s. Gradoville, 28, has not yet played a game this year (he was actually coaching the catchers in Reading)and will be strictly a backup behind Jason Jaramillo.  Gradoville is known for defense and hit .162 between AA (Reading) and AAA (Ottawa) last year.

On Sunday, as a result of an injury to Chris Snelling, TJ Bohn was called up by the Phils.  Bohn has done next to nothing for Lehigh Valley this year, hitting .186 in 14 games with no homers or RBI’s.  He does have 5 outfield assists and can play any position in the OF.  The Phillies hands were tied as Bohn was the only outfielder on the 40 man roster available for recall, and other names who have produced at least a little bit, such as Brandon Watson, would have required a 40 man roster move.

Before the game on Tuesday, CF Javon Moran was promoted to the ‘Pigs from Reading.  Moran, 25, was hitting .176 with 6 RBI’s and 2 stolen bases for Reading.  Between AA (Reading) and AAA (Ottawa), Moran hit .270 last year with 2 homers, 22 RBI’s, and 31 stolen bases.

Pork– The ‘Pigs drew 46,997 fans over their first eight home dates, averaging 5874 per game.

–The ‘Pigs are now 0-14 on the road.

–Jason Jaramillo currently has a 9 game hitting streak.

–Val Pascucci has reached base in 10 straight games.

–Matt Childers has a scoreless streak that has now gone over 7 games and 7.2 innings.

–The Pigs bullpen have allowed their last nine inherited runners to score going into Thursdays game.

–Lehigh Valley is averaging 2.3 runs per game, far and away the lowest total in the IL.

—First Baseman Andy Tracy left the game last Friday with an injured left wrist and missed three games.

–Lehigh Valley hit into an unbelievable 5 double plays last Saturday, totally countbalancing their 14 hits.

–On Tuesday against Syracuse, the ‘Pigs managed only 4 hits, one for extra bases.

–Lehigh Valley is 0-11 on the road this year.

—CF Brandon Watson was a late scratch from the lineup on Monday with a shoulder bruise. He was also out Tuesday vs. Syracuse and looks to be out for the three game series against Rochester.

—The Pigs have already been swept 3 times in four game series.

–As of last Tuesday, the Phillies farm system was 27-54, ranking 29th out of 30 teams in major league baseball.

–In the last run through the starting rotation, the ‘Pigs starters were 0-5 with an 8.10 ERA.

–Lehigh Valley is now hitting .148 (23-155) with runners in scoring position.

–Basestealers are now 18/20 against Jason Jaramillo.