Lehigh Valley continues playing a much better brand of baseball, having gone 4-2 over the past week and are now 18-14 and tied for 2nd place of the Northern Division of the International League, 0.5 games behind division leading Scranton. The ‘Pigs finish up their four game series in Toledo this evening and then return home for a four game series against Norfolk, before heading up the Northeast Extension for four in Scranton.

Leaders: Hitters: Jeff Larish is tied for 4th in homers (7); Brandon Moss is 8th in RBI’s (22); Rich Thompson is 2nd in steals (12)

Pitchers: Eddie Bonine is tied for 5th in Wins (5); Mike Zagurski and Juan Perez are tied for 8th in saves (4); Ryan Feireabend is tied for 3rd in homers allowed (7); Brian Bass is 10th in walks allowed (15)

Outfield: Domonic Brown has hit in all 8 games with Lehigh Valley and now has a 15 game hitting streak with Lehigh Valley, going back to 2010. He has hit safely in 32 of 36 games in his AAA career(89%).

Brandon Moss has generally struggled with a few monster games in between including a team record 7 RBI effort against Columbus last Thursday.  On the year, Moss is at .238/.350/.452 in 98 plate appearances with 4 HR and 22 RBI.  Moss is striking out at a relatively high 26% clip, however is still hitting in the clutch at a .346 clip.  Moss is struggling terribly against LHP at .148.

Cory Sullivan has reached base safely in 10 of his last 11 games but has seen his playing time decrease with the return of DOm Brown.  Sullivan struggled early on and owns a line of .203/.307/.243 in 86 plate appearances with 0HR 13 RBI and 2 SB. Solid in the field but has not shown much at all at the plate thus far.

Rich Thompson has continued to do what he does every year in Lehigh Valley, get on base, steal bases, play solid defense and generally makes things happen.  He has not been caught stealing this year (12/12) and is among the IL leaders in that category.  His line is at .263/.391/.329 in 88 plate appearances.

Delwyn Young has been very disappointing, hitting just .185 in over 100 AB’s. His line is .185/.235/.380 with 5 HR and 13 RBI.  He is striking out a ton and has been adequate at best in the field thus far.

Relief Pitchers:

Drew Carpenter is 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA as a reliever, and 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA overall in his 9 games this year.  In 18 innings of work, Carpenter has allowed 15 hits, walked 4 and struck out 17, and has a WHIP which stands at 1.05.  RH are at .211 against him, while LH are hitting .233.  Carpenter has pitched well in the middle innings when called upon.

Chance CHapman has been up and down a couple of times already between Lehigh Valley and Reading.  While pitching for the ‘Pigs, Chapman is 1-1 with a 4.76 ERA in his 6 games, throwing 11.1 innings, allowing 12 hits and 3 walks while striking out 11.  LH are hitting him hard in the early going at .333.

Jason Grilli has been unscored upon in his last 8.2IP (5 games) and in 9 of his last 10 outings with Lehigh Valley. Most impressively, Grilli has held opponents to just a .045 avg. (1-22) with RISP. The 34 year old, former 1st round pick is at 2-0 with a 1.08 ERA in 13 games this year, having thrown 16.2innings, yielding 16 hits, 6 walks with 20 strikeouts.  With the injuries in Philly and his pitching as of late, Grilli may soon be on the radar screen for Philadelphia.

David Herndon was sent down from Philadelphia just last week, so far too early for any real commentary except to briefly note that the 25 year old has made two appearances so far for Lehigh Valley, one good and another not so good.

Juan Perez has allowed just a run on 5 hits over his last 10 games (0-0, 0.96ERA, 4 saves, 9.1IP 14K). His issue lately has been his control as he has allowed 5 walks in his last 3.1 innings pitched. On the year, the lefty is 0-0 with a 1.93 ERA and 4 saves in 13 games. Perez has thrown 14 innings, allowing just 7 hits, but walking 11 for a WHIP of 1.29.  He has struck out 20 hitters, dominating when ht throws strikes. Opponents are hitting just .152 against him, .167 with RISP.

Michael Schwimer has stranded 8 of 9 inherited runners over his last 6 outings, and is unscored upon over that same stretch (6.1 innings). After a start during which he struggled with his control at times, Schwimer is rounding into form throwing crucial innings late in the game.

Mike Zagurski has pitched well in his 8 appearances, going 1-0 with a 1.08 ERA and 4 saves.  He has thrown 8.1 innings, allowed 5 hits, walked 6 and struck out 13 and is holding opponents to a .192 batting average, just .143 with RISP.  You can’t ask for much more other than better control.

Notes: Lehigh Valley is 11-0 when they score first.

—INF Kevin Frandsen has hit in 20 of his last 24 games (34/93, .366)

—Brian Gordon has not allowed a run in his 6 games this season (17.2IP 11H 0ER 4BB 12K)

–THrough the first 32 games, the Lehigh Valley bullpen is 9-2 with a 2.33 ERA.