A very good week for Lehigh Valley, as they went 6-1, but remain in 5th place of the Northern Division of the International League, 10.5 games out of first with a record of 30-36, as we approach the seasons half way mark. Batting leaders include Rich Thompson who is 8th in triples (3) and 8th in stolen bases (14); Andy Tracy tied for 5th in homers (10), 5th in walks (32) and 8th in RBI’s (42); along with Mike Cervenak who is 5th in average (.321). On the pitching ledger, Andrew Carpenter is 6th in Wins (6), 5th in innings (74.1) and 6th in homers allowed (10); Kyle Kendrick is 8th in IP (73.0); Carlos Carrasco is 9th in IP (72.2) and 4th in strikeouts (72).

Week In Review–6/15/09–AFter a long bus ride to Durham, the ‘Pigs bats woke up in a big way in a 8-5 victory over Durham.  Lehigh Valley had 13 hits, including seven for extra bases  and were led by Jason Ellison who was a triple short of the cycle, going 3-5  with his second homer of the year.  Lehigh Valley scored in each inning from the second through the seventh, building an 8-2 lead.  Carlos Carrasco (2-7) started and picked up the win, going 6.1 innings, and giving up 4 runs on 7 hits.  He walked one and struck out five, throwing 109 pitches, 71 for strikes.  Other offensive notables were Andy Tracy (2-4,r, 2 2B), David Newhan (3-4, 2R, 2B, RBI) and Miguel Cairo (2-4,r,2B,rbi).  Steve Register picked up his first save in relief, going 2 scoreless innings.

6/16/09–Lehigh Valley continues their recent roll, with their fifth win in their last six games in a  wild game that ended with a football score, (16-8) rather than a baseball score.  Rather than going through a somewhat monotnous play by play, the following ‘Pigs had big games:Mike Spidale (4-5, 3r, rbi), Mike Cervenak (2-5, r, hr, 3rbi), Andy Tracy (2-5, 2r, hr, 2rbi), David Newhan (2-4, 3r, 2b, hr, 5 rbi) and Paul Hoover (2-5, r, rbi).  The ‘Pigs scored four runs in the 2nd and 3rd, taking an 8-3 lead, which ultimately was cut to 9-7 after six.  A grand slam by David Newhan busted the game open once again.  Drew Carpenter (6-0) lasted 5.1 innings, giving up 7 runs (3 earned) on 10 hits.

6/17/09–In a game directly contradicting Tuesdays’ slugfest, the ‘Pigs took Wednesdays’ matinee 4-0 in 11 innings.  Kyle Kendrick got the start and pitched six shutout innings, giving up just four hits.  He walked two and struck out one.  A Durham error opened the door for the ‘Pigs in the 11th, as Lehigh Valley took the lead on a Mike Cervenak RBI fielders choice that scored JJ Furmaniak.  Andy Tracy added to the lead with a two run double.  Tracy later scored on a David Newhan ground out for the final margin of victory.  Cedric Bowers came in during the 9th and pitched out of a jam that Steve Register had gotten into.  Bowers got the win, going 2.2 scoreless innings.

6/18/09–A series sweep of the Durham Bulls by Lehigh Valley in their 6-2 victory Thursday night.  Rodrigo Lopez (3-4) got the start and after a rocky first inning in which he gave up the only run he allowed, settled down to pitch a very good game (7 IP 8H 1R 1BB 5K).  Lehigh Valley came back from the early 1-0 deficit with 2 runs in the fifth on a Rich Thompson RBI single, and a Mike Cervenak Sac Fly.  The ‘Pigs added two more in the 7th to go up 4-1 on a two out double by Cervenak.  Another two out double in the eighth, this time by Mike Spidale gave Lehigh Valley even more breathing room.  Cervenak was the offensive hero, going 2-4 with his double, and 3 RBI’s, while JJ Furmaniak also added two hits for Lehigh Valley.

 ‘Pig Prospects–With the recall of John Mayberry and both Lou Marson and Jason Donald on the DL, enjoy an abbreviated look at the Pigs Prospects.

Kyle Kendrick–An excellent outing for Kendrick on Wednesday, his first ‘Pig outing since the Red Sox debacle last week.  Kendrick went six scoreless innings, giving up just four hits.  He did not get a decision.  On the year, Kendrick is at 4-4 with a 3.70 ERA  and a 1.31 WHIP.  He has walked 22 and struck out 40 in his 73 innings of work.  The opponenet continues hitting well below .200 against him with runners in scoring position.  Thsi last start was Kendrick’s 5th consecutive quality start. Kendrick has done nothing to hurt his status, other than being thrown into an untenable situation in his first appearance in Philly this year.  While I sincerely doubt he remains in the Phillies plans, he has retained some level of trade value through his performance this year.

Andrew Carpenter–A rough outing for Carpenter on Tuesday in Durham, as he went 5.2 innings giving up 7 runs (3 earned) on 10 hits.  He walked 3 and struck out 6, while still picking up his 6th win of the year without a loss.   After not allowing a homer in quite some time, Carpenter was the victim of two home run balls on Tuesday.  After the way he has pitched recently, we can give Carpenter a mulligan in this effort, where he gave his team the ability to win.  On the year, 6-0, 2.91 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 23BB 51K, and an opposition average of under .230 with RISP. 

Carlos Carrasco–Got his second win of the year in his effort against Durham on Monday night.  His numbers weren’t great (6.1 IP, 6H, 4 ER, 1 BB 5K), but he pitched better then his numbers indicated.  He gave up 2 runs on 3 straight hits in the second inning, then went on to retire 14 of the next 15 hitters.  He left with 2 on in the 7th inning, and both runners scored on Gary Majewski.  Carrasco’s numbers are not good: 2-7, 5.57 ERA, with a 1.39 WHIP and a .342 opponent average with RISP.  He, however, has pitched better then those numbers although not good enough for any sense of excitement.  His 20 walks to 72 strikeouts are good numbers, as their continues to be no middle ground with Carrasco.  He is either dominant or awful.

Sergio Escalona-Has not allowed a run in his last 3 appearances, consisting of 5.1 innings pitched. In his 21 appearances, combining Reading and Lehigh Valley, Escalona is 0-1 with a 2.89 ERA, with 11 saves.  Opponents are hitting just .214 against him, and he has walked 11 and struck out 26 in his 28 innings are work.  Escalona remains right on the fringe of major league duty, and depending on the specific needs in the Phillies bullpen, could continue to yo-yo between Philly and Allentown for the rest of the year.

Notes: Over a their last 4 save opportunities, 4 different ‘Pig relievers picked up saves (Walker, Escalona, Bowers, Register)

With the win Thursday over Durham, Lehigh Valley has now won a franchise record, five consecutive games.

—Cedric Bowers has allowed just 1 run in his last 12 appearances (0.52 ERA)

–Expect to see Lou Marson back over the weekend, while Jason Donald remains at least 3 weeks away.

—Miguel Cairo has hit safely in 22 of his 26 games for Lehigh Valley (.330).

–The ‘Pigs bullpen have allowed just 3 ER in the last 29 innings (0.93).

–Several franchise records were set on Tuesday:  16 runs in a game; Drew Carpenter set a record for most consecutive wins (6);  David Newhan tied a franchise record with 5 RBI’s.

–Weekend Probables:  Friday: Gustavo Chacin; Saturday: Carlos Carrassco; Sunday: Drew Carpenter.

Transactions:  John Mayberry, Jr. was recalled by the Phillies.  No replacement has been called up for Mayberry as of yet.