‘Pigs Weekend Game Report

7. Lehigh Valley

5/1/09– Carlos Carrasco was brilliant against Toledo for the first three innings, but struggled through the fourth and fifth, leaving with a 5-1 deficit, having gone 4.2 innings and yielding 5 runs (2 earned) on 5 hits.  He walked 2 and struck out 8.  The ‘Pigs chipped away at the four run lead, eventually taking the lead in the bottom of the 8th on a sac fly by Mike Cervenak, who had three hits and three RBI’s on the night.  On a wet night, Jason Donald made his first start at third, committing an error on his first chance, but was unfazed at the plate, adding three hits.  Rich Thompson was clearly the spark plug of the offense, in the 6-5 victory, stealing 3 bases, scoring 3 runs, adding two hits, and generally playing heads up baseball.  Jake Woods (2-0) got the win in relief with Mike Koplove picking up his first save of the year in a 1-2-3 ninth.

5/2/09–A crazy game to say the least on Saturday evening, that ultimately ended with a 14-11 extra inning loss to Toledo, with the ‘Pigs failing in their bid to reach .500. Mike Koplove (0-2) took the loss in relief  in a difficult 10th inning that was kept alive by a key error by newly acquired David Newhan. There were six lead changes during the game and every player in the Lehigh Valley lineup except Newhan had a hit for the ‘Pigs.  Offensively, Lehigh Valley was led once again by Mike Cervenak, who had four hits and 3 RBI’s. Andy Tracy and John Mayberry added two hits apiece, and Rich Thompson had not only two hits, but three runs for the second consecutive game and a truly amazing play in centerfield. Drew Carpenter started and struggled going 5 innings, and giving up 4 runs on 6 hits.  He walked two and struck out 3. The ‘Pigs left 14 runners on base, even while scoring their 11 runs.

5/3/09– The third start of the year for former Rockie Rodrigo Lopez, who lasted 4.2 innings this time, giving up 2 runs on 3 hits.  He walked two and struck out 6.  In a back and forth game, the ‘Pigs took a 3-2 lead in the 6th, by John Mayberry (6), but that was quickly answered by Toledo who scored two runs in the top of the 8th to take a 4-3 lead.  Back came the ‘Pigs again in the bottem of the inning with two runs on a bases loaded walk (Donald) and a hit by pitch (Ellison) to give Lehigh Valley a 5-4 lead.  Gary Majewski blew the lead for the second consecutive night.  First blowing the lead in the ninth and then the game in the 10th on a solo homer by Dusty Ryan. John Mayberry had only multi hit game for the ‘Pigs, with a homer and a double. The ‘Pigs left 12 men on base and were 1-11(.091) with RISP.

Notes: Rich Thompson tied a Lehigh Valley record with 3 stolen bases on Friday evening. Thompson stole bases in each game this weekend.

Lehigh Valley is now 1-5 in extra inning games, which each one being played at home.

During his season starting 11 inning scoreless streak, Tyler Walker, additionally retired 32 of the 37 batters he has faced.

John Mayberry has hit in 10 of the last 12 games (.340), with 4 homers and 15 RBI.

Probable Pitchers: Against the Mets affiliate, Buffalo, Monday thru Thursday. Monday: Justin Lehr (3-1) vs. Nelson Figueroa; Tuesday: Kyle Kendrick (2-1) vs. Tim Redding (on rehab); Wednesday: Carlos Carrasco (0-2) vs. Jonathan Niese; Thursday: Drew Carpenter (1-0) vs. Dillon Gee.

Transactions: Infielder David Newhan was activated and played SS Friday evening.  To make room on the roster, pitcher Jason Anderson was sent to AA–Reading. Anderson, 29, was 0-0 with a 5.40 ERA, th us far with Lehigh Valley in 5 games, primarily in a long relief role.

Catcher Lou Marson was activated for Saturdays’ game after the return of Carlos Ruiz in Philly.  Backup catcher Orlando Guevara was sent down to (A) Lakewood to make room on the roster for Marson.

Look for the more detailed weekly report each Friday.

13 thoughts on “‘Pigs Weekend Game Report”

  1. Mayberry has impressed me so far…particularly his walk rate and SO rates. Maybe he’s making the step into becoming a solid 4th OF at the MLB level.

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  3. We will have to wait a while to see which are the real prospects. For now, Michael Taylor and Dominic Brown seem legitimate. Lou Marson was a pleasant surprise in Philly and handled himself very well. Jason Donald is probably suffering from letdown at Lehigh Valley. He should right his ship pretty soon. These guys are all good propsects.

    Pitching: I am not sure Carrasco is really anything other than a 3-5 starter. I do like what I see of Drabek, Flande, Worley, Stutes and Monasterios who I think may be a sleeper. Savery still has to show me.

    And what about this kid Andino down at Lakewood. I know that’s only “A” ball and he is 23 but he might be something. We’ll wait a year for him. Since Feliz has found himself I don’t see much in the way of position openings in Philadelphia this year. But they could maybe use some starters if these other guys don’t right their ship.

    I’ll take a shot. I think Yohan Flande might be able to make the jump from A+ to Philadelphia mid=year. I said “might” and I know that is one huge jump but it has been done before and something about this kid makes me think maybe he can do it. I know Carrasco is next in line and he did have 10 great starts at “AAA” but his last two have been more in line with what he was doing at Reading the past two years.
    We shall see.

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  4. So you think Flande can be in Philly by mid-year? Have you seen him pitch? He’s had four starts, relax.

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  6. Jumping the gun to say the least…the guy has done everything asked of him so far, but even Hamels didnt go from A, to the majors….let him progress. There is a big difference between A hitters and even AA hitters.

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  8. ****I’ll take a shot. I think Yohan Flande might be able to make the jump from A+ to Philadelphia mid=year. I said “might” and I know that is one huge jump but it has been done before ****

    Yeah, Nuke LaLoosh did it!

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  9. No one goes from A ball to the majors unless they’re a high draft pick out of a major college program. Even then, it would require that there not be real prospects above him. None of that is the case with Flande. I give him a 0% chance of breing Philly this year other than to watch a game. Guys with a chance (in the event of injuries): Majewski, Walker, Kendrick, Cervanek, Tracy, Donald, Mayberry, and Newhan. It all depends on the length of the injury and the player’s position who gets hurt.

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  10. I sorry but never saw a answer to a question about Rodiguez who is in Clearwater at twenty three, is he a legit prospect?

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  11. At a quick glance, it looks like Mayberry is certainly outperforming Greg Golson. The big team still needs another outfielder and an additional RH bat.

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  12. I think it’s simple, if m. cairo isn’t hitting by june 1, we expand our team from a 24 to 25 man roster by shedding cairo and adding mayberry. i think in 150 at bats he would hit 250-7-20 w/ obp of .320. That’s better than we would get from cairo. lets see if he is our 4th OF(RH bat)for next year. also lets see if he can play a little 1B to backup howard.

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