New faces in the locker room and clearly a new attitude on the field personify this weeks Iron Pigs as they had an excellent week going 6-1. The ‘Pigs now stand at 11-31, still in last place, but improving, now 17.5 games out of first. Looking at ‘Pigs among the league leaders, Andy Tracy is 7th in homers (7) and 4th in the league in walks (21). Brian Mazone is 7th in the league in wins (4), third in the league in innings (51.2), and 8th in WHIP (1.12). He is also 5th in homers allowed (7). JA Happ is 4th in the league in innings (51.1), and leading the league in strikeouts (61). JD Durbin is 4th in the league in homers allowed (..8..) in only 28 innings.

The ‘Pigs opened a 8 game homestand last Friday with a 4-3 , 10 inning victory against Columbus. JA Happ started and was dominant going 7 strong innings giving up only one run on 4 hits, while walking 2 and striking out 13. Matt Childers came in and immediately blew the 3-1 lead that Happ had established, however a Jon Knott walkoff homer saved the ‘Pigs from another extremely disappointing loss. A solo homer by Jason Jaramillo (3), and a 2 run single by Casey Smith accounted for the rest of ‘Pigs offense. Brennan King added 2 hits for Lehigh Valley. Newly acquired lefty Stephen Randolph pitched a scoreless tenth to get the win for Lehigh Valley.

Maybe the tied is turning as the ‘Pigs needed only 2 runs on 2 hits to get by the Clippers Saturday night 2-1. In a “starter by committee” evening four relievers pitched very well to shut down Columbus. Gary Knotts started and went 3 innings giving up the lone Columbus run. He was relieved by Steve Green (1-0)who went 3.2 shutout innings. Steve Kline and Matt Childers completed the fine effort by the bullpen. There was nothing exceptionally notable offensively as the ‘Pigs runs came in an inning where the scored their runs on only a lone single as well as a walk and a costly error led to the runs.

Good karma for the third straight day certainly helped as the ‘Pigs beat Columbus for their third striaght victory to a 2 strike, 2 out single in the bottem of the 9th by Jon Knott that led Lehigh Valley to a 6-5 victory. Brian Mazone started and struggled through six innings, giving up 5 runs, on 9 hits, while walking 2 and striking out 2. The bullpen did its job for the second straight day pitching 3 scoreless innings with John Ennis picking up the win. Offensive highlights for the ‘Pigs included Brandon Watson (2-3, double, 2 runs), Mike Cervenek (2-4, 2 runs, double, 2 RBI’s), Jon Knott (2-5, 2 RBI’s), and Brennan King (2-4, run, RBI).

Ron Chiavacci (1-4) struggled mightily with his control on Monday throwing only 36 of 71 pitches for strikes and lasted only 3.2 innings, giving up 5 runs on 7 hits. He walked 2 and struck out 2. Columbus held a 6-0 lead before the ‘Pigs put 3 runs on the board in the 8th to make the game respectable. Brandon Watson was 2-5 with a run, Mike Cervenek was 2-5 with a run, RBI, and a double and newly recalled catcher John Suomi had a 2 run double to account for the Lehigh Valley runs.

Lehigh Valley opened a series against Norfolk on Tuesday and notched the first shutout in team history, 7-0, a combined seven hitter by Les Walrond(1-1) and John Ennis. Walrond went 7 very strong innings, giving up only 5 hits. He struck out 5 and didn’t walk a batter. The ‘Pigs jumped on Norfolk early scoring a run in the 2nd on a Mike Rouse RBI single, and 4 runs in the 3rd on a 3 run homer by Mike Cervenek (4) along with an RBI single by Jason Jaramillo. Andy Tracy added his 7th homer of the year, a solo shot in the 5th inning.

The baseball world is often upside down. In his four starts prior to last night, James Happ was totally dominant, and failed to get a win. Last night, he was far from dominant and was picked up by his teammates earning his first win of the year, in a 8-7 ‘Pigs victory. Happ gave up four runs in the first and then settled down nicely going five innings and giving up four runs on seven hits. He walked 2 and struck out 6. Although beind 4-0 early, Lehigh Valley answered quickly with a 3 run first, and added another run in the fourth, and 2 in the 5th and 6th. Mike Cervenek was 2-4 with 2 runs and 2 RBI’s, Rich Thompson was 2-5 with a run scored, and Brennan King had 3 RBI’s to lead the offense. Matt Childers picked up his 5th save.

A sweep!!! The ‘Pigs swept the Norfolk Tides to complete a very successful week. Gary Knotts (1-0) started and went 5 innings giving up 2 runs on hits. He walked one and struck out two. Stephen Randolph came in and pitched 1.1 scoreless innings to pick up his first save as an Iron Pig. The offense was led by Rich Thompson, Jon Knott, and Oscar Robles, all who had 2 hits.

Phils 40 man report: Catcher Jason Jaramillo is still hitting below the Mendoza line at .190 with 3 homers and 10 RBI’s. His on base % is .252 and he is hitting .167 with runners in scoring position. His defense has improved. He is now throwing out runners at a 24% rate. Outfielder TJ Bohn continues to be horrible. He is hitting .169 with a homer and 3 RBI’s in 80 at bats. He too is hitting .167 with RISP. Newly acquired infielder Oscar Robles is hitting .222 as a ‘Pig in 36 at bats with 3 RBI’s. The highlight is clearly pitcher JA Happ. Still a hard luck 1-4, Happ has now thrown 51.1 innings and has a 3.16 ERA. He has walked 25 and struck out 61, with a WHIP of 1.29. Opponents are hitting .222 against him.

Transactions: On Friday the ‘Pigs released pitcher Kevin Beirne to make room on the roster for Stephen Rnadolph. Beirne was 0-3 with a 6.86 ERA in his 10 games pitched with Lehigh Valley. Opponents were hitting .301 against him.

On Sunday, the ‘Pigs added catcher John Suomi, 27, from AA Reading. Suomi was hitting .219 with 2 homers and 7 RBI’s in 32 at bats with Reading and will serve as the backup to Jason Jaramillo. Tim Gradoville, the previous backup was made a “player/coach”. Gradoville was hitless in 7 at bats.

Pork: The hitting streak of Andy Tracy was snapped at 11 games.

—The 4-3 win last Friday against Columbus was the ‘Pigs first: A) Walk Off win, B) Extra Inning Win and C) One Run Win.

—Nice attendance figured over last weekend at the COKE with over 9100 on Saturday and over 8700 on Sunday.

—Former Phillie prospect Mike Costanzo was 0-7 with 3 strikeouts in this weeks series.

—Outfielder Jon Knott has a 12 game hitting streak.

—Mike Cervenek has RBI’s in each of his last 8 games.

–Taking three out of four games from Columbus allowed Lehigh Valley to win their first series in franchise history.

–Basestealers are now 37/49 running on Jason Jaramillo (76%). Jaramillo threw out all three runners trying to steal in the game Wednesday against Norfolk.

–Starting Pitcher Travis Blackley who has been on the DL, is expected back in the next week or so.

–Hot: Mike Cervenek (7-20, 7 runs, 1 homer, 9 rbi’s 1 stolen base) Jon Knott (10-21 6 runs, homer, 5 RBI’s), Les Walrond (7IP, 5 hits, 0 runs, 0 walks, 5 strikeouts)

–Not: TJ Bohn (1-17), Mike Rouse (2-21, rbi, sb), Ron Chiavacci (3.2 IP, 7 hits, 4 runs, 2 walks, 2 strikeouts)

—Stephen Randolph has not allowed an earned run in his first 4 appearances as an Iron Pig.