An abbreviated week because of the All Star break led to a 2-3 record on the week, leaving Lehigh Valley at 40-59 on the year, 22 games back of division leading Pawtucket. ‘Pig league leaders include Mike Cervenak who is 4th in at bats (356), 9th in runs (55), 3rd in hits (110), 9th in doubles (21), and 2nd in average (.310).  Andy Tracy is 8th in slugging % (.518), 5th in on base % (.393), 3rd in RBI’s (65), 6th in homers (17), and 4th in doubles (24). Pitching leaders include Brian Mazone who is 5th in innings (116.2), 5th in homers allowed (15), and 4th in WHIP (1.16).  Les Walrond is 9th in ERA(3.32).  JA Happ is 8th in ERA (3.31), 10th in IP (108.2), leading the league in strikeouts (116), and 7th in WHIP (1.20).  Matt Childers is 2nd in the league with 15 saves.

Lehigh Valley lost a very tough game last Friday 3-2 in 13 innings.  Les Walrond, coming off his 17 strikeout performance in his last start, went 8 strong innings yielding only 2 runs for the ‘Pigs.  Steve Green (4-1) took the loss in relief after Matt Childers went 3 more scoreless innings. The game had been tied since the 6th when the ‘Pigs had tied it up.  Both Casey Smith and TJ Bohn, who have struggled mightily this year for Lehigh Valley had 4 hits apiece, and Jon Knott added 3 hits for the ‘Pigs who left 13 runners on base. Notably, the CHiefs won the game on a sacrifice fly one pitch after Jason Jaramillo dropped a pop up in foul territory (11th error), giving the Chiefs another shot at ending the game, which they did.

The ‘Pigs bounced back from the Friday night loss with an impressive 9-5 victory last Saturday evening in Syracuse.  Gary Knotts started and gave up 3 runs on 4 hits over 4.1 innings of work.  Jason Anderson (2-1) picked up the win in relief.  Andy Tracy went 2-5 with a homer (15) and 4 RBI’s; Jason Jaramillo was 2-4 with 3 runs scored, a homer (6), and 2 RBI’s, and Oscar Robles was 3-5 with 2 runs to pace the offense.  Both TJ Bohn, wjo has been hot, and Joey Hammond added 2 hits as well.

The final game for the ‘Pigs before the All Star break was rained out on Sunday against Syracuse.

Lehigh Valley came out of the All Star break on Thursday to play a doubleheader at home, the first game being the conclusion of a suspended game from about a month ago.  In Game One, which was picked up in the 3rd inning, JA Happ (6-6) was outstanding, going all seven innings, shutting out the Yankees 2-0,  without yielding a hit.  He walked one and struck out 12, including 6 straight, through the 8th and 9th innings.  71 of his 102 pitches were thrown for strikes.  Jon Knott hit his 10th homer for the ‘Pigs and catcher John Suomi added 3 hits to provide what little offense was needed for the victory.

In the nightcap on Thursday, Scranton jumped out to an early 6-0 lead against starter Gary Knotts and Lehigh Valley could not recover despite quite a late effort.  Knotts wnt 2.2 innings and was roughed up for 9 hits and 6 runs (5 earned).  The late ‘Pig push came primarily through Andy Tracy who hit 2 homers (16,17) and knocked in 4 runs.  Jon Knott added his 13th homer of the year.

Transactions: After a few rocky outings, RJ Swindle was returned to the Iron Pigs late Saturday, and right handed reliever Joe Bisenius was recalled to the Phillies. Bisenius, 25, was 2-4 with a 4.78 ERA in 27 games spolit between Reading and Lehigh Valley. Opponents were hitting .246 against him.  His control has been a concern as he has given up 27 walks and struck out 31 in 37.2 innings pitched this year.

–3B Brennan King returned from the disabled list on Thursday evening.

Notes: Relief Pitcher Stephen Randolph was suspended for 3 games for the incident last Wednesday when he hit a Louisville batter.

—Brandon Watson had a 10 game hitting streak snapped last Saturday.

–The scoreless streak of Matt Childers is now at 13.1 innings (9 games).

–Relief Pitcher John Ennis has a 0.87 ERA in his last 7 outings.

–OF Jon Knott has homered in 9 of the last 25 games.

–Reliever Stephen Randolph has not allowed an earned run in his last 7 games.