Lehigh Valley had an up and down week, but it ended in an up note with a 3-3 record on the week. The ‘Pigs are now 13-34, last in the Northern division, 17.0 games back of leading Scranton. Hitting leaders include Mike Cervenek who is 8th in the league in at bats (167), 6th in runs (29), and 4th in hits (52). Andy Tracy is 6th in the league in homers (8), and 10th in RBI’s (28). Pitching leaders include Brian Mazone who is 5th in wins (5), and leading the league in innings pitched (65.2). JA Happ is 5th in innings (57.1), 7th in homers allowed (8), and leading the league in strikeouts with 66.

Week in Review: A name from the past came back to haunt the ‘Pigs last Friday evening as Chris Roberson hit a game winning grand slam in the 9th inning to lead Norfolf over the ‘Pigs 9-6. The slam came off of Matt Childers (1-2) who came in to protect a 6-5 ‘Pigs lead. Neither team could hold leads throughout the night as the Tides jumped out early 2-0 but homers by Andy Tracy(…8…) and TJ Bohn (2) gave the ‘Pigs a 5-2 lead. Brian Mazone started and pitched well giving up only 2 runs in six innings but the bullpen failed him. Mike Cervenek continued scalding hot for the ‘Pigs (3-5, 2 runs), Andy Tracy was 2-5 with a homer and 5 RBI’s, and TJ Bohn was 2-3 with a homer. The ‘Pigs finished their homestand at 6-2.

Lehigh Valley opened a series Saturday in Buffalo with a 5-2 loss. The ‘Pigs jumped out early 2-0, but the Bisons scored 5 unanswered runs for the final margin of victory. Ron Chiavacci(1-5) started and was, once again, less than effective going 6.2 innings and giving up 5 runs on 10 hits. He walked one and struck out 6. The only notable offensively for the ‘Pigs was Casey Smith who went 2-3 with a run, double, and SB.

After a rainout Monday, the ‘Pigs split a doubleheader Tuesday evening. In Game One, Les Walrond (1-3) got the start and went 4 innings and gave up 3 runs on 9 hits. He walked one and struck out five. The ‘Pigs jumped to an early 2-0 lead but were unable to hold the lead as the Bison came back with 3 runs over the 3rd and 4th innings. No notables for the ‘Pigs offensively in Game One. The ‘Pigs won the nightcap 9-1. Travis Blackley , just off the disabled list, started and went the first two innings, giving up one run on 2 hits. He walked 3 and struck out 2. Steve Green (3-0) came in and got the win, pitching extremely well over 3 shutout innings. He did not give up a hit, walked one and struck out five. Offensively for Lehigh Valley all of the following had big games: Brandon Watson (3-4, rs, 2 RBI’s, sb), Andy Tracy (3-4, rs, 2 RBI’s) and Mike Cervenek (3-4, 2 runs, homer, 2 RBI’s)

The ‘Pigs earned a series split against Buffalo with a hard fought, come from behind 6-5 victory on Tuesday evening. The ‘Pigs came from 3 runs down in the ninth inning to tie the game up, and scored in the 10th to get the win. James Happ started for the ‘Pigs and while pitching fairly well, gave up two costly homers. Happ went 6 innings, giving up 4 runs on 7 hits. He walked 1 and struck out 5. Jon Knott hit a bases clearing triple to tie the game in the ninth and Mike Rouse lead off with a double in the 10th and later scored to take the 6-5 lead. RJ Swindle (1-0) picked up the win, with another scoreless outing pitching two innings, and Matt CHilders pitched a scoreless 10th to earn his 6th save. Notables offensively were Oscar Robles (3-4, 2 runs), Mike Cervenek (3-6, 2 runs, rbi) and Mike Rouse (3-5, 2 runs, double).

The ‘Pigs returned home on Thursday evening against CHarlotte with a very strong all around game in a 7-2 victory over the Knights. Brian Mazone (5-3) started and pitched extremely well going 8 strong innings giving up only 2 runs on 7 hits. He didnt walk a batter and struck out three. There were numerous offensive standouts for Lehigh Valley including Mike Rouse (2-3, 2 runs, homer, rbi), Mike Cervenek (2-4, 2 runs, 2 doubles, 3 rbis), Andy Tracy (2-3, double, 2 rbis, stolen base), and Jason Jaramillo (2-4, rbi)

Transactions: Starting pitcher Travis Blackley was activated from the disabled list prior to Tuesday’s game and should rejoin the rotation. JD Durbin, who has been mired in a season long slump was sent to (AA) Reading. Durbin was 0-5 with a 9.42 ERA with the ‘Pigs. Opponents were hitting an incredible .346 against him.

40 man roster report: JA Happ is now 1-4 with a 3.45 ERA over his 57.1 innings pitched. He has given up 48 hits, 26 walks, and struck out 66. His WHIP is at 1.29 and opponents are hitting .231 against him. Outfielder TJ Bohn is still mired at .162 after 99 at bats. He has 2 homers, 4 RBI’s and 3 stolen bases. He is hitting .133 with runners in scoring position and has an OPS of .520. Infielder Oscar Robles has picked up the pace this week and is now hitting .278 in his 54 Iron Pig at bats. He has 0 homers and 4 RBI’s, but does have an impressive OBP of .391. He is hitting .250 with RISP. Catcher Jason Jaramillo is still hitting only .199 almost a third of the way through the season. He has 3 homers and 11 RBI’s, to go along with a very poor .277 slg %. He is hitting .167 with RISP. Jaramillo has now thrown out 13 of 51 runners trying to steal (26%).

Pork: The hitting streak of Jon Knott was snapped at 12 games.

—Steve Kline has not allowed a run in his last 5 appearances (7.2 innings)

—Andy Tracy set a team record with 5 RBI’s last Friday.

–Attendance during last weeks 8 game home stand was 56,742 (7,092 per game)

–Both Manager Dave Huppert and 1B Andy Tracy were ejected from Tuesdays game for arguing balls and strikes.

–3B Brennan King has not committed and error in his last 27 games.

—Steve Green has not allowed a run on his last 3 appearances (7.2 innings) and has 2 wins and a hold in those games.

—Steve Kline has not allowed a run in the last 8.2 innings he has pitched (6 appearances)

—Mike Cervenek had a tremendous week going 13-25(.520), with 9 runs, a homer, and 7 RBI’s.

—An extremely good week for tremendously consistent Brian Mazone who threw 14 innings and gave up only 4 runs. He did not walk a batter while striking out 8, and picking up a win.