Just a horrible week for the ‘Pigs as they went 1-7, and now stand at 54-86, in last place of the Northern Division of the International League, 33 games behind division leading Scranton.  Look for an in depth review of the Lehigh Valley season, including a look at the performance of each player, including my opinion of where they go from here,  during each of the next several editions of the Lehigh Valley report.

In crazy game that cant be easily explained in a paragraph, Lehigh Valley lost 13-12 to Scranton last Friday evening.  Its not often that you can manage to lose a game where your team scores 12 runs on 15 hits, but Lehigh Valley managed to do so behind lousy relief pitching and worse defense (4 errors), losing two leads late in the game.  Kris Benson got the start and went 5 innings, giving up 4 runs (1 earned) on 8 hits.  He walked 2 and struck out 4.  Joe Bisenius, Les Walrond, and Matt Childers all were hit around with Childers (3-5) taking the loss. Seven ‘Pigs had multi hit games with Brandon Watson (2-4, 2 runs, 2 RBI’s), Oscar Robles (2-5, run, 4 RBI’s), Jon Knott (2-3, 3 runs, homer(19), rbi), and Chris Snelling (2-5, 2 runs, homer(1), rbi) being the most prolific.

Another game against Scranton Saturday night, another loss to Scranton…this time 4-0.  Fabio Castro (0-2) got the start and took the loss going 5 innings and giving up 3 runs on 6 hits.  Lehigh Valley could muster only 5 hits against Yankees starter Chase Wright, with 2 of those hits belonging to Brennan King. The season series again Scranton is mercifully done after the ‘Pigs went 2-14.

The end of the season is shaping up just like the beginning for Lehigh Valley with another loss on Sunday night 8-5, this time to Pawtucket.  Carlos Carrasco started and pitched well going 6.1 innings and giving up 2 runs (none earned) on 5 hits.  He walked 2 and struck out 8.  Travis Blackley (5-10) was hit around and took the loss in relief.  Despite the early 4-0 lead, Lehigh Valley couldnt keep up, as poor defense and poor relief pitching led to the loss. Mike Cervenakwas 2-5 with 2 runs and a homer (9). Brandon Watson also added 2 hits for the ‘Pigs.

ANother loss on Monday night, again to Pawtucket, 4-2.  Brian Mazone got the start and went 5 innings, giving up 2 runs on 5 hits.  He walked 2 and struck out 7.  Les Walrond (5-8) took the loss in relief.  Brennan King was 2-4 with a run scored and Jason Jaramillo was 2-3 with a run scored, pacing an offense that agains had difficulty.  Brandon Watson also had 2 hits.

JA Happ was knocked around Tuesday by Pawtucket, lasting only 1.2 innings and giving up 5 runs on 8 hits, before yielding to Steve Green, in the 11-4 Lehigh Valley loss. Matt Childers also was pounded, giving up 6 runs in the 9th inning for Lehigh Valley.  Brandon Watson accounted for most of the offense hitting a 3 run homer, and both Mike ROuse and Rich Thompson added 2 hits apiece.

The ugliness continued Wednesday evening, this time with a 14-4 defeat to Pawtucket, a game in which each and every Pawtucket batter had both a hit and a run scored.  Kris Benson (1-4) got the start and was hit around going 4 innings and giving up 8 runs (6 earned) on 9 hits.  He walked 3 and struck out 1.  Les Walronds’ difficulty as a relief pitcher also continued as he followed Benson by giving up 6 runs in 1.2 innings.  Everyone said a collective thank you to RJ Swindle who cleaned up the mess with 3.1 scoresless innings, striking out 6.  Rich Thompson was 2-5 with a run and 2 RBI’s and Brennan King also added 2 hits to pace the offense.

Lehigh Valley got a much needed win in the first game of Thursdays’ doubleheader against Syracuse, 4-3.  Minor League journeyman Travis Minix was recalled from Reading to get the start and he did a serviceable job, going 4 innings and giving up 2 runs on 2 hits.  He walked one and struck out 3. Steve Green (5-1) got the win in relief with Stephen Randolph picking up his 5th save of the year. The Lehigh Valley offense came from the strength of a Mike Cervenak 2 run double, along with 2 RBI’s from Brandon Watson. TJ Bohn also added 2 hits for Lehigh Valley.

Game Two last night featured Brian Mazone (9-12) pitching on two days rest (for which kudos are deserved) because of roster juggling, and it showed as he lasted 3 innings and gave up 3 runs on 6 hits.  He walked 3 and struck out 1 in the 4-1 loss to Syracuse. Oscar Robles had an RBI double which accounted for the lone Pig run.  Rich Thompson had 2 hits for Lehigh Valley.

Transactions: Pitcher Gary Knotts was traded to the Baltimore Orioles organization to make room on the roster for Les Walrond, who was sent back down to the Iron Pigs from the Phillies.  Knotts, 31, saw time both as a starter as well as reliever this year and was most effective during the first part of the season.  He was 2-5 with a 5.32 ERA in 35 appearances. Opponents hit .303 againt him.

WIth OF Geoff Jenkins going on the DL in Philadelphia with hip problems, a lefthanded bat was needed off the bench, and with that, came the recall of 1B Andy Tracy.  Tracy, 34, has had an excellent season for the Iron Pigs, hitting .288 (.313 with runners in scoring position) with 21 HR and 84 RBI’s.  He has an excellent eye at the plate and is among the league leaders in several categories in the IL.  Not a long term solution in Philly, but will give the Phils a “professional” at bat each time at the plate.

In the post olympic shuffle, both Steve Green and RJ Swindle returned to give the ‘Pigs bullpen some much needed help in the seasons last week. Catcher John Suomi returned from Reading where Lou Marson retuned from the Olympics.  Pitcher Joe Bisenius and catcher Orlando Guevera were sent down to Reading. Bisenius was 0-2 with a 7.06 ERA in 15 appearances for Lehigh Valley, getting hit around in his last several appearances.  Opponents were hitting .296 against him and his WHIP was over 2.00.

On Wednesday, First Baseman Andy Tracy was designated for assigment by the Phillies so that Andrew Carpenter could be added to the Phillie roster.  Tracy was 0-1 with a walk in his 2 at bats for the Phils.  He will need to clear waivers before rejoining Lehigh Valley.

The roster shuffle continued on Thursday with LHP Fabio Castro being recalled to join the Phillies.  Castro, 23, was 0-2 with a 8.10 ERA in 3 appearances with Lehigh Valley, two of those being starts.  He had more success this year at Reading where he was 8-2 with a 4.40 ERA in 27 apperances.  To take Castro’s spot on the Lehigh Valley roster, 31 year old RHP Travis Minix was recalled from Reading, where he was 3-6 with a 3.86 ERA in 22 apperances (6 starts).  Opponents were hitting .249 off of him and he had a WHIP of 1.37 in Reading.

Notes: OF Tj Bohn now has 11 assists.

—Brandon Watson had his 14 game hitting streak snapped on Thursday.

–Neither Pitcher Steve Green nor RJ Swindle gave up any earned runs in their apperances for Team Canada in the Olymppics, pitching 10.1 scoreless innings between them.

–Lehigh Valley is 5-21 in their last 26 games.

–The ‘Pigs finished the season a combined 3-27 against Scranton and Pawtucket this year.