An abridged version of the Lehigh Valley Weekly Report, with a full report coming out on Monday or Tuesday with the end of the Lehigh Valley season.

8/31/09–Lehigh Valley broke their three game losing streak with a 4-1 win over Pawtucket in their return home on Monday evening.  Andrew Carpenter (11-5) started and was very strong, going 7 innings and giving up just a run on six hits.  He walked two and struck out four.  Pawtucket took an early 1-0 lead, which Lehigh Valley answered in the fifth inning on a Sac Fly by Jason Ellison.  An RBI double in the 6th by John Mayberry gave the ‘Pigs a 2-1 lead, which they added to in the 7th with two more runs on another two run single by Andy Tracy.  Steven Register came in to pitch a perfect nonth, earning his 7th save.  Mayberry, Furmaniak and Tuffy Gosewisch all had two hits for Lehigh Valley, while Andy Tracy broke out of his recent slump with a 3-4 night.

9/1/09–A start for Kyle Kendrick and a rehab appearance for Brett Myers Tuesday night in Allentown as the ‘Pigs close out their short two game series.  An Andy Tracy ground out scored Mike Cervenak who had doubled in the first, giving the ‘Pigs a 1-0 lead after one.  Lehigh Valley tacked on two more in the 3rd on a John Mayberry RBI single and a David Newhan sac fly. A two run triple in the 8th inning by Bubba Bell cut the ‘Pigs lead to 3-2.  Kendrick (9-7) went 7.1 strong innings, giving up 2 runs on 6 hits.  Brett Myers came in to pitch the 9th and looked very strong, earning a save.  He struck out two of the three batters he faced. Mike Cervenak was 3-4 with a run scored and an RBI leading the way for the offense.

9/2/09–The offense was the problem on Wednesday evening as they managed  just four hits (2 by Rich Thompson) in the 2-1 Lehigh Valley loss to Syracuse.  The only ‘Pig run came in the 3rd on an RBI double by Thompson which gave Lehigh Valley a 1-0 lead.  The lead evaporated quickly with Syracuse runs in the 4th and 6th off of ‘Pigs starter Brian Mazone (1-6).  Mazone went 5.2  giving up 2 runs on 6 hits.  He didn’t walk a batter and struck out 3.   Lehigh Valley could do no more in the one run loss, leaving 7 on base.  Brett Myers pitched a 1-2-3 8th in his final rehab game.

9/3/09–With the continued depletion of the Lehigh Valley roster, the ‘Pigs who were left put on an impressive performance in a 8-1 win against Syracuse. An RBI double by JJ Furmaniak opened the scoring giving Lehigh Valley a 1-0 lead in the second.  They followed that up with a four spot in the 3rd inning, the big blow being a three run homer by Andy Tracy (25).  Syracuse put one on the board in the fourth off of Lehigh Valley starter Gustavo Chacin, cutting the lead to 5-1, but Lehigh Valley tacked on two runs in the 6th (RBI triple, Thompson, Sac Fly, Ellison) to make it 7-1. Chacin (8-4)left having pitched another very strong game, going 7 innings and giving just a run on 6 hits.  He walked 2 and struck out 6, lowering his ERA to 3.21.  The ‘Pigs closed out the scoring in the 8th with a Carlos Leon RBI single.   Thompson, Newhan, Furmaniak, and Ellison all had two hits for Lehigh Valley.

Notes: —Andy Tracy was named as the first baseman on the International League All Star Team.

—Andy Tracy was named “Hitter of the Year” by the IronPigs, while Andrew Carpenter won the award for “Pitcher of the Year” for the team.

—Michael Taylor was named “Best hitter in the System” by the Phillies organization after a year in which he hit a combined .320 with 20 HR 84 RBI and 21SB.  He has been on the disabled list for a couple of weeks with an oblique injury that has progressed slowly.  He is expected to play Winter Ball in Mexico.

—Clay Condrey will continue his rehab with Lehigh Valley on Saturday evening.

Transactions:  With both 3B Terry Tiffee and Relief Pitcher Cedric Bowers placed on the inactive list to play for Team USA, Lehigh Valley activated Infiedler Jorge Velandia who has spent most of the season on the DL with a “shin contusion”.  Also activated was Catcher Tim Gradoville, 29, who last had an at bat in 2007.  He had spent most of this season coaching in Lakewood.

Catcher Paul Hoover was called up to the Phillies to play the role of 3rd catcher for the month of September.  Hoover has played quite a bit this year with the loss of Lou Marson and has been solid, hitting .253 with a homer and 28 RBI.  He has also seen some time at first base.  Hoover played in the Marlins organization last year, and saw time in the majors in 2008 as well.

Relief Pitcher Steven Register was designated for assignment on Thursday as the Phillies needed to clear a spot on their 40 man roster.  Register, 26, has pitched fairly well for Lehigh Valley after his mid season pick up.  In 18 games, he was 1-3 with a 3.20 ERA and 7 saves.  He walked 12 and struck out 25 in his 39.1 innings of work.  He would have to clear waivers before reporting back to the ‘Pigs.