A fairly lousy week for the IronPigs who went 3-5 on the week, and are now in 5th Place of the Northern Division, 8 games behind division leading Scranton. The ‘Pigs did pick it up towards the end of the week, winning their last two games. Hitting leaders include Andy Tracy who is 4th in runs (51) ,2nd in homers (15), 2nd in RBI’s (57), and first in walks (52) ;Rich Thompson who is 8th in triples (4) and 7th in stolen bases (17).  On the hill, Andrew Carpenter is tied for second in wins with eight, leading the league in innings pitched (101) and 10th in ERA (2.85).  Kyle Kendrick is second in innings (96.1), while Carlos Carrasco is 3rd in innings (96), and tied for the league lead in strikeouts (93).

7/6/09–A sloppy game in the ‘Pigs 9-3 loss to Syracuse, their 4th loss to them in 5 games.  Brian Mazone (0-2) got the start and lasted just 2.2 innings, giving up three runs (1 earned), one 3 hits.  He walked one and struck out 3.  Costly errors by Andy Tracy and David Newhan led to three unearned runs. The Lehigh Valley bullpen had a very rough night in the loss as well.  Lehigh Valley scored a run in the first on a Mike Cervenak RBI double and added two in the ninth on a Jason Ellison RBI single. Ellison had 3 hits for Lehigh Valley, while Lou Marson added another multi hit game.

7/7/09–Carlos Carrasco forgot how to throw strikes in a difficult outing on Tuesday that resulted in a 6-2 ‘Pig loss to Pawtucket.  Carrasco walked 3 straight batters in the fourth inning and then hit the next batter in what turned out to be a three run fourth for Pawtucket. Carrasco then gave up a leadoff walk in the 5th, followed by a stolen base, single and double.  Carrasco (5-8) was then pulled.  His line : 4IP 3H 6ER 6BB 5K.   86 pitches, 47 for strikes.  The ‘Pigs could not solve Pawtucket starter Clay Bucholz, managing just 2 runs off of him, an RBI double by Terry Tiffee being the key blow.  Both Tiffee and RIch Thompson had 2 hits for Lehigh Valley, while rehabbing Raul Ibanez was 1-2 with a run scored, while starting in LF.

7/8/09–A dominating night on the mound by Andrew Carpenter, combined with a dominating night at the plate by Lou Marson leading to a 12-0 ‘Pig trouncing of Pawtucket.  Carpenter (8-2)went seven shutout inning, allowing only 3 baserunners (2 hits and a walk) while striking out 9.  He threw 101 pitches, 69 for strikes. Marson,was 3-4 with a double, run, and 3 RBI’s.  Lehigh Valley jumpred out early with a three run first inning and didn’t look back.  Other ‘Pig notables at the dish were Andy Tracy (2-5, hr (15)), Miguel Cairo (2-4, run, rbi) and Paul Hoover (2-4, 2b, run, 3 RBI’s).

7/09/09–Because of “drainage issues” in Scranton, the two game series against the Yankees was moved to Coca Cola Park in Allentown.  The Yankees jumped to a 2 run lead in the first inning off of ‘Pig starter Gustavo Chacin .   The ‘Pigs bounced back in the third inning on a two run double by the rehabbing Raul Ibanez to tie the score at two.  The Yanks went ahead again in the fourth on a solo homer and the game remained 3-2 until Lehigh Valley busted the game open in the 8th on a bases clearing three run double by Rich Thompson which was followed by an RBI double by Jason Ellison. After the rocky start, Chacin(3-3) settled in to go 7 innings, giving up 3 runs on 6 hits.  He walked 3 and struck out 5.  Mike Cervenak broke out of prolonged funk with a multi hit game.

‘Pig Prospects–Lou Marson–  Marson has been hot to say the very least.  He has 11 multi hit games in his last 20, after 1 in his first 27 this year.  He has also hit in 14 of 17 since coming of the DL, going 24 for 59 (.407).  He has raised his average from .202 to above .291 since June 4.  Marson has also raised his CS rate, and is now at right around 22%.   On the year, .291/.369/.369 with 1 HR and 21 RBI.  He has raised his average to an impressive .292 with RISP.

Carlos Carrasco–One incredibly bad outing from Carrasco this week, who actually walked four consecutive batters on 16 pitches on Tuesday.  He went just 4 innings, giving up 6 runs, while walking six.  This outing did not help the prospective that Carrasco folds under pressure.  On the year, Carrasco is 5-8 with a 5.06 ERA.  In 96 innings, he has walked 33 and struck out 93, with the opposition hitting .268 against him (.340 with RISP).  These stats are scary I am sure as the Phils wonder whether to consider him as any type of viable alternative under the pressure of a pennant race.

Kyle Kendrick–Two very impressive starts in a row for Kendrick, his last outing being eight innings of shutout ball against Syracuse, a game in which he didnt allow an extra base hit.  In his last 9 appearances, Kendrick is 3-2 with a 2.93 ERA.  He has also taken a shutout into the sixth in four of those starts.  On the year, 5-5 with a 3.46 ERA.  His WHIP is 1.25 and opponents are hitting .251 against him , and just .178 with RISP.

Andrew Carpenter–Carpenter bounced back from one of his few poor outings with seven shutout innings against Pawtucket, in an outing where he was dominant.  He took a no hitter into the 5th and struck out a season high nine batters.  In his last 10 starts, Carpenter is 7-2 with a 1.93 ERA.  On the year, 8-2 with a 2.85 ERA, he has walked 30 and struck out 78 in 101.0 innings.  Opponents are hitting .251 against him (.247 with RISP).  Carpenter remains an interesting option for the Phils, although an option they seem to not be paying much attention.

Notes:Cedric Bowers now has a 12.1 inning scoreless streak and has allowed just 1 ER in his last 18 games.

Jason Ellison threw out runners on consecutive days last week, giving him the team lead in assists with 8.

Raul Ibanez had several good swings for the ‘Pigs tonight, including his 2 run double.  After the game he said he was feeling “significantly better” and “the plan was to be back in Philadelphia tomorrow.”

Transactions: LHP Jack Taschner accepted assignment to Lehigh Valley.  The 31 year old Taschner was 1-1 with a 5.20 ERA in 21 appearances with the Phils.  His WHIP was above 1.90 and the opposition was hitting .304 against him.  To make room on the roster, the recently recalled Pat Overholt was sent back down to AA Reading.  Overholt made 2 appearances for the ‘Pigs, giving up one run in 3.1 innings.