Lehigh Valley went 4-3 on the week, and are now 52-79 on the season, 27 games behind division leading Scranton as the 2010 season enters its final 10 days.

League Leaders (Hitting): John Mayberry is 7th in runs (68); Andy Tracy is 8th in homers (18); 9th in RBI’s (67); 2nd in walks (64); 8th in OBP (.374); and 7th in SLG (.489). (Pitching): Brian Mazone leads the league in losses (13), leads the league in starts (26), leads in the league in IP (154), is 9th in HR allowed (17), and is 8th in WHIP (1.22); Joe Savery is 5th in losses (11) Drew Carpenter is 7th in losses (10), is 7th in starts (24), is 8th in walks (49); Nate Bump is 7th in ERA (3.35); Scott Mathieson is 2nd in saves (24).

Monday–Lehigh Valley took 3 out of 4 against last place Rochester with their 7-0 rain shortened victory on Monday evening at Coca Cola Park.  Ty Taubenheim (2-2) threw the abbreviated complete game shutout giving up 6 hits, while walking one and striking out 5 in the six innings of work.  A Cody Ransom RBI single got the ‘Pigs on the board in the first which was quickly followed by a two run third inning keyed by an RBI single by DH Joe Savery and an RBI double by Paul Hoover, making it 3-0. Lehigh Valley put a three spot on the board in the 4th, putting the game out of reach.  An RBI double by Andy Tracy and a two run double by Paul Hoover were the big hits in the 4th. Cody Ransom, Rich Thompson, and Paul Hoover all had two hits game for the ‘Pigs who had 11 hits in 6 innings.

Tuesday–Lehigh Valley lost 5-4 to Syracuse on Tuesday evening after Scott Mathieson (3-6) got hit around in the 9th inning, allowing two runs after coming into a game tied at 3.  Syracuse jumped on ‘Pigs starter Vance Worley who was rocky early but settled down for a decent outing, lasting 6 innings and giving up 3 runs on 9 hits.  He walked one and struck out six, with his biggest problem throughout the evening being his command.  Down 1-0, the ‘Pigs scored two in the third on a two run double by Andy Tracy, giving them a 2-1 lead. The lead didnt last long, as Syracuse came right back with two of their own in the fourth, making it 3-2 Syracuse. AN RBI single by John Mayberry scored Greg Dobbs, tying the game in the 5th.  The game stayed tied until the ninth, when the CHiefs put two on Mathieson.  Lehigh Valley came back with a run of their own (RBI single, Mayberry), but once again fell short by a run. Mayberry led the way offensively going 2-4, 4, 2 RBI’s, SB, while Melvin Dorta added two hits as well.

Wednesday–Lehigh Valley was shutout by Syracuse 5-0 evening ending a quick series against the Chiefs having been swept. Lehigh Valley managed just two hits on the evening, and managed to surpass their hit total on the evening by their error total (3).  Brian Mazone (6-13) started and pitched well, going 7 innings, giving up 3 runs (1 earned) on 6 hits.  He walked one and struck out five. Errors committed by Ozzie Chavez, Rich Thompson, and Andy Tracy were all costly in the loss.  Paul Hoover managed the only hit on the evening by a non-pitcher.

‘Pigs Prospects–John Mayberry is now on the cold side of his hot/cold ledger hitting just .184 over the last 10 games with 0HR and 2 RBI to go along with 2 stolen bases.  In what has been a season of highs and lows, Mayberry is at .264/.324/.414 with 14 HR 59 RBI, and 16 SB.  He is hitting .342 vs. LH and .237 vs. RH on the year.

Vance Worley made his 6th start for Lehigh Valley on Tuesday evening and was adequate, lasting 6 innings and giving up 3 runs on 9 hits. He is 1-3 with a 5.63 ERA over his last 4 starts.

Michael Schwimer made two appearances this week, and gave up a run in one of them against Pawtucket.  He has not been used quite as frequently as of late, however remains one of the top arms out of the Lehigh Valley ‘pen.  AAA stats: 16 games, 2-2 with a 1.35 ERA; 1.15 WHIP; .213 opp. avg.

Mike Stutes made two appearances this week, and allowed runs in both, although only an unearned run in his last outing.  AAA stats: 23 games, 3-1 with a 3.41 ERA; 1.45 WHIP; .233 opp. avg. Still a bit inconsistent.

Scott Mathieson made 3 appearances this week, earning 2 saves and a loss in the third game.  Additionally, in his second save he pitched himself into and out of trouble.  On the year: 50 games, 3-6 with a 2.88 ERA; 24 saves; 1.13 WHIP; .208 opp. avg., 11.8 K/9.

Antonio Bastardo threw two scoreless outings this week, making it 19 out of 20 scoreless outings on the AAA year for Bastardo.  1.03 WHIP; .200 opp. avg.; 14.6 K/9.  Impressive.

Notes: Matt Rizzotti was out of the lineup both Monday and Tuesday after aggravating his sore thumb.

–SS Brian Bocock has reached base safely in 18 of his last 19 games.

—Joe Savery’s appearance at DH on Monday marked the first time he had done so since he played for CLearwater in 2008. (7/29/08)

—Cody Ransom had  a 11 game hitting streak snapped Wednesday night(14-39, .359).

–In their last 11 games, the Lehigh Valley bullpen is 3-2 with a 1.80 ERA and 4 saves.

–Notably, Brian Mazone is among the leaders in WHIP as well as losses.  Not an easy combination to place together.  Simply, is shows he has pitched far better than his 6-13 record.

Transactions: Pitcher Nate Robertson, 32,  was signed as a Minor League Free Agent (see previous post) and is scheduled to make his first start for Lehigh Valley on Thursday evening.

Probables: Thursday: Robertson, Friday: Carpenter, Sat (1): Taubenheim; Sat (2): Savery.