Friday–Lehigh Valley went back over .500 with a 9-4 victory over Rochester, taking two out of three from the RedWings. The ‘Pigs fell behind early on a series of miscues, but bounced back with two runs in the fourth when two runs scored on back to back sac flies by Josh Barfield and Matt Miller. The ‘Pigs put up a four spot in the 7th, when Rochester got very sloppy. The big blow in an inning that featured errors, wild pitches and run scoring bunt singles was a two run single by Ronnie Belliard. Lehigh Valley tacked on three more in the 8th, two of them coming on an RBI double by Delwyn Young. Nate Bump started and went 4 innings giving up 4 runs (1 earned) on 5 hits. Drew Carpenter picked up the win in relief, pitching three hitless innings. A big night at the plate for Kevin Frandsen, who had 3 hits.
Saturday–On to Syracuse as Lehigh Valley went two games over .500 for the first time in team history with their 4-1 win over the Chiefs. Eddie Bonine (1-1) pitched a very effective 7 innings, giving up just a run on 4 hits. Homers by Jeff Larish (2) and Erik Kratz (1) in the second inning gave Lehigh Valley all the scoring they needed, but an RBI double by Kevin Frandsen and a RBI single by Rich Thompson added insurance. Scott Mathieson pitched a clean 9th, to earn his first save of the year. Frandsen, Larish and Kratz all had multi hit games for the ‘Pigs.
Sunday–A come from behind 10-5 victory on Sunday to sweep the quick two game series in Syracuse, and come home having won four of five on the ‘Pigs first road trip. Lehigh Valley got on the board first on a Sac Fly by Cory Sullivan, however the CHiefs scored two in the first and two more in the 3rd to take a 4-1 lead. The ‘Pigs chipped away with a run in the 4th (RBI ground out-Barfield) but Syracuse came right back with Chris Marrero’s second homer of the game, giving the Chiefs a 5-2 lead. A pinch hit two run homer by Delwyn Young (2) made it 5-4 Chiefs in the 7th and then the wheels came off for Syracuse as Lehigh Valley batted around in the 8th, scoring six runs, the big blows being a homer by Jeff Larish (3), an RBI double by Josh Barfield, and an RBI single by Kevin Frandsen. Brian Bass started and last just four innings, giving up 4 runs on 5 hits. Mike Stutes (2-1) picked up the win in relief.
Notes: On both Friday and Sunday, Lehigh Valley tied their 2nd best come from behind victory, coming from 4 runs behind on both occasions.
Probables: Monday(1) Feirabend, Monday (2)TBA; Tuesday: Worley; Wednesday: Bump
Phuture Phillies 
Quick update on Eddie “shoeless” Bonine:
He was interviewed on radio pre-game today. Radio voice Matt Provence admitted that he couldn’t tell which pitches Bonine was using during the game. Bonine revealed that he has been using primarily a cutter and a sinker, whilst mixing in the occasional change AND knuckler.
He then revealed that he came to camp this year intending to convert to full-time knuckler, but noticed that Cliff Lee’s release was similar to his. He spoke with Lee about the cutter, added it, and then shelved the full-time knuckle idea.
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Lets hope he has better luck emulating Lee than Kendrick did emulating Halladay?
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Not about AAA but for lakewood, Hector Neris struck out 3 batters he faced today. That gives him 12 in 5.2 innings this year for lakewood. He struck out less than a batter in the DSL last year so I find it kind of surprising to see skip 2 levels and do this well.
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*all 3 batters he faced*
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He was an older signee, so the two levels just catches him up to his age level. Since it is odd for 21-year-olds to make their DSL debut there must have been a reason for the delay. Does not have to be a bad reason. He could have been a late developer, gone to college, or even gone in the military (like Michael Martinez).
The strikeouts are new, so maybe he is a late bloomer. Would love to get a scouting report on him.
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Michael Martinez was not a late starter due to the military, he was a professional Basketball player in the Dominican Republic, Amaro stated he was in the military in an interview , but I believe he added or something to it.
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So, with Romero hobbling off the mound tonight and likely headed to the DL, who gets the call: Zagurski or Stutes? Obviously, with Schlitter conveniently sent back to Chicago, there’s now room for Stutes on the 40-man.
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