Lehigh Valley won their first game today, 5-1 over the Nationals affiliate the Syracuse Chiefs.   Justin Lehr started and was fantastic, going 6.1 innings, allowing 3 hits, and one run,  walking one and striking out five.  He threw 85 pitches, 49 for strikes.

Lehr, 31, last played in the majors in 2006 with the Brewers, throwing in 16 games, going 2-1 with an ERA over 8.  Last year, he was in the Reds organization with AAA Louisville and had a good year going 6-2 with a 2.10 ERA in 16 games (8 starts).

Rich Thompson got the offense kick started in the first inning with a single, and quickly stole second.  He was knocked in by JJ Furmaniak on a two run single (Cervenak had walked).  The ‘Pigs third run came on an RBI double by Paul Hoover who scored John Mayberry (who had 3 hits and a walk). Lehigh Valley scored two more in the 9th on RBI singles by Andy Tracy and Rich Thompson.

Notes: Jason Donald had a tough day going 0-5, although he made a couple of nice plays in the field at shortstop.

—Rich Thompson was 3-5  with a run, RBI and a stolen base.  Mike Cervenak and Jason Ellison added two hits apiece.

—Andy Tracy was out of the starting lineup for the 2nd straight night after fouling a ball off of his foot on Saturday.

—Gary Majewski pitched a scoreless ninth for the ‘Pigs, striking out Corey Patterson to end the game.

–A moment of silence was observed pre-game for Harry Kalas and the flag flew at half staff.