A 3-3 week for Lehigh Valley (note: the second game of the doubleheader Thursday is not included), leaving Lehigh Valley at 23-36, in last place of the Northern division, 11 games behind division leading Syracuse.
‘Pigs league leaders thru 6/9/10–Hitters: Cody Ransom is tied for 8th in runs (34) tied for 3rd in homers (12),3rd in k’s (71),and 7th in RBI’s (37); John Mayberry is tied for 8th in runs (34), and tied for 10th in homers (9); Andy Tracy is 2nd in walks (37) and ninth in OBP (.391); Rich Thompson is tied for 6th in sb’s (14). Pitchers: Nate Bump is tied for 3rd in wins (6) , tied for the league lead in starts (12), is leading the league in IP (73)and is 6th in ERA (2.71); Andrew Carpenter is tied for 9th in wins(9); Brian Mazone is tied for the league lead in starts (12); tied for 5th in HR allowed (9) and is 10th in the league in IP (69); Scott Mathieson is 5th in the league in saves (11); Ryan Vogelsong is 10th in the league in k’s with 57.
Monday–Lehigh Valley earned their first 1-0 victory in team history with Nelson FIgueroa (1-0) picking up the win over Toledo and pitching extremely well in his first start for the ‘Pigs. Figueroa gave up just 2 hits in his six shutout innings, and Scott Mathieson dominated once again earning a four out save, his 10th save of the year. The only run of the game came in the 5th inning, when a Paul Hoover RBI single scored Chris Duffy who had singled. Willy Taveras had a two hit game for Lehigh Valley, which included his 4th stolen base in as many games.
Tuesday–A borderline unprecedented three in a row, including the last two by shutout after the ‘Pigs 3-0 victory Toledo on Tuesday. Nate Bump (6-3), Ryan Vogelsong, and Scott Mathieson combined on the shutout, with Mathieson earning his 11th save. Bump went 6 shutout innings yiedling just 3 hits. The ‘Pigs scored a run in the first when a Neil Sellers RBI double scored Willy Taveras and two more in the 8th on a costly throwing error by Jeff Larish. Taveras and Sellers both had 2 hits for Lehigh Valley, with Taveras stealing his 5th base in as many games.
Wednesday–Rainout
Thursday–In the opening game of the doubleheader on Thursday, Joe Savery (1-6)was rocked early and often in the 4-3 loss to Toledo. Savery gave up four homers, all solo shots, in the first three innings leaving in the fifth, having gone 4.2 IP 6H 4ER 3BB 5K. Lehigh Valley bounced back in the first after the three solo shots given up by Savery with a three run homer by Cody Ransom (13). The tie didnt last long as the ‘Pigs were unable to come back from a solo homer by Jeff Frazier in the third. Melvin Dorta, who was starting his first game of the year in RF, had two hits for the ‘Pigs. Brian Gordon retired seven consecutive hitters in relief of Savery.
‘Pigs Prospects–John Mayberry has missed this week sitting out with a swollen left knee, which he injured as a result of sliding into the wall attempting to catch a foul ball last Saturday.
Scott Mathieson now has 11 saves in 12 opportunities this season, including two more this past week. On the year, 2-1 with a 1.29 ERA in 28 IP 10BB 32k; opponents are hitting .179 against him, .211 with RISP. Not much more needs to be said that hasnt been said already.
Mike Zagurski has now not allowed an earned run in his last 14 games, dating back to April 30th, spanning 16.1 innings. He lowered his ERA from 7.45 to 2.77 during that time period. He continues to lead all IL relievers in K/9 at 13.5.
Drew Carpenter had a rough outing this week, going just four innings, and giving up four runs on four hits against CHarlotte. Carpenter did not get a decision. In his last 8 starts, Carpenter is 4-2 with a 2.76 ERA, including 5 quality starts.
Notes: The 22 inning scoreless streak for Lehigh Valley pitchers was a Lehigh Valley all time record.
—GM Ruben Amaro and Assitant GM Chuck Lamar were both in attendance at Thursday evenings game.
—Joe Savery’s ERA in the first inning is over 8.
–In his last 17 games, Neil Sellers is hitting .393.
—Ryan Vogelsong has allowed just 2 ER in 13.2 innings since moving to the bullpen.
–Despite being 13 games under .500, the ‘Pigs have the second best ERA in the IL at 3.59.
—Rich Thompson missed the doubleheader on Thursday evening to be with his family after his wife just gave birth to their 3rd child, William Blaise.
Phuture Phillies 
Savery’s 1st inning struggles don’t bode well for making a transition to the bullpen.
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At this point, Savery should just pull a Rick Ankiel and go back to being a position player. Throwing in the high 80s won’t get it done
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It’s a shame Mathieson didn’t get to pitch while Amaro and Lamar were in the house. It’s been good that Zagurski has been pitching well though. He’s been piling up the K’s.
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If Amaro and LaMar wanted to look at Mathieson, they would have went when he was available to pitch and made sure he did pitch. I tend to think they wanted to look at the pitchers who did pitch, and this was a Double Header, so maybe they wanted to Look at Savery, Brian Gordon, Brandon Duckworth, or Mike Zagurskie. I hope they weren’t looking at any of the position players who played Thursday.
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FYI…Lamar is there fairly often…probably 4-5 times a month. Its a little unusual for Amaro to be there. Generally, he is there once very 6-8 weeks.
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I agree Marfis – unless they wanted to look at Taveras as a new addition and possible fifth outfielder if they figure they have redundency on the bench with Gload and Dobbs.
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Concerning Joe Savery, people on this site are often much too fixated on velocity. Lots of pitchers are successful with a high 80s fastball or even less. What won’t get it done for Savery is the lack of control that is indicated by 4.5 walks per 9 innings. With such poor control it is likely that the location of his strikes is often much too favorable to the hitter. Aumont has a better fastball than Savery, but, for different reasons, is struggling even more with his control and has even worse results.
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Aumont, I think, is having mental issues at this point. Or maybe he’s hurting and afraid to admit it.
I hope the figure him out and soon, for both his sake and the organizations.
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I agree Marfis – unless they wanted to look at Taveras as a new addition and possible fifth outfielder if they figure they have redundency on the bench with Gload and Dobbs.
Dobbs? no factor. Maybe he is out and a prospect in.
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