Lehigh Valley went 3-3 during their first week of the 2011 season which gives some semblance of hope for a winning team after dismal starts in their first three seasons. Generally look for Lehigh Valley weekly reports to come out on Thursday, with a look at league leaders beginning next week.

Monday–Cory Sullivan scored on a wild pitch in the 10th inning giving Lehigh Valley a 4-3 extra inning win Monday evening. Brian Bass allowed just a first inning run on three hits, but then settled down to allow just 4 baserunners in his last 5 innings of work, before a rain delay forced his exit after six innings. An RBI double by Cory Sullivan tied the game in the 4th and a two run triple by Ronnie Belliard gave the ‘Pigs a 3-1 lead before a late inning meltdown by Scott Mathieson helped allow two Chiefs to score tying the game.  Mike Zagurski picked up the win in relief, throwing 1.1 hitless innings, while striking out two.

Tuesday and Wednesday–Rainouts

Thursday (1)–Lehigh Valley continued the tradition of finding unique ways to lose, with Rochester scoring on a walk off homerun by Rene Tosoni, a pitch after he could not lay down a sacrifice bunt, as they lost 3-1 in Game One of their doubleheader. Vance Worley (1-1)pitched an abbreviated (shortened game because of DH) complete game, going 6 innings, and giving up 3 runs on 4 hits.  he walked 2 and struck out 5.  The only Lehigh Valley run came in the 7th inning when Cory Sullivan scored when Erik Kratz was hit by a pitch.

Thursday (2)–Lehigh Valley salvaged a split, with a 5-3 extra innings win against Rochester. Rochester jumped on Lehigh Valley early in Game Two with a solo homer by Dustin Martin giving the RedWIngs a 2nd inning lead. The ‘Pigs came right back on a 3rd inning homer by Brandon Moss and took a 2-1 lead when Rich Thompson scored on a Cory Sullivan ground out in the 5th.  Ryan Feirabend got his first start of the year, and although a short one, pitched well, allowing one run in four innings of work.  The score remained 2-1 until the bottom of the 6th when a two run double by Rene Tosoni off of Mike Stutes allowed Rochester to regain the lead.  Again, the ‘Pigs bounced back, this time on a 7th inning homer by Rich Thompson (1). Lehigh Valley tacked on two 8th inning runs on a Josh Barfield RBI single. Mike Stutes (1-1) picked up the win in relief, while Mike Zagurski pitched a clean 9th to earn his first save of the season.

‘Pigs Prospects–Vance Worley had a two start week, dominating in the opener against Scranton and then doing a good job, albeit allowing a walk off homerun in his second start against Rochester.  On the week, 1-1, 12IP 8H 3ER 3BB 14K, 2HR allowed.  .186 opp. avg.

Mike Stutes looked good this week, with a bump or two along the way.  He dominated Scranton in his first outing, striking out three without allowing a hit in 1.1 innings of work. He took a loss against Syracuse in outing #2, however, the loss came without allowing an earned run (although the run scored on a Stutes throwing error). He struck out 4 in his 2 innings against Syracuse. Outing #3 was the bumpy one, against Rochester on Thursday. Although he did pick up the win, Stutes allowed an inherited runner to score and tacked on an earned run of his own before the ‘Pigs bailed him out for an extra inning win.

Michael Schwimer has only seen action in one game thus far, and in that game pitched well throwing two scoreless innings against Syracuse, allowing just a hit while striking out two.

Scott Mathieson had two rough outings to start the season and seems to be in an early season funk of sorts, having difficulty with his command.  While still throwing very hard, he is having difficulty with his change and splitter and the results have shown as much.  This week: 2.2IP 5H 2ER 2BB 4K.

Notes:Ronnie Belliard started hot with multi hit games in the first four games.

–In the series against Syracuse, Lehigh Valley hit 1-32(.031) with RISP, and are now 2-45 on the year (.045).

–Probables: Friday, Bump; Saturday: Bonine, Sunday: Bass