A solid week for Lehigh Valley, a week that included a four game winning streak that allowed the ‘Pigs to extend their lead over second place Pawtucket to three games.  Lehigh Valley now stands at 61-43 with 38 games remaining in the season. Pawtucket remains in town to close out their four game series against Lehigh Valley on Friday, before Lehigh Valley hosts Buffalo for a short two game series over the weekend.

Pigs Leaders (thru Tuesday nights games) Hitters: Rich Thompson is 6th in runs (61), tied for 5th in triples (5) and is 2nd in SB (32); Brandon Moss is tied for 3rd in homers (18), is 9th in RBI’s (59); 6th in SLG (.503); and tied for 8th in walks (46); Erik Kratz is 8th in OBP (.381) and 10th in OPS (.871).

Pitchers: Ryan Feireabend is tied fror 3rd in wins (9), has the 8th worst ERA (5.37) ; and is 2nd in HR allowed (20); Nate Bump has the 6th worst ERA (5.42) and worst WHIP (1.55); Mike Zagurski is 9th in saves (10); Brian Bass is 4th in IP (116) and 9th in walks allowed (43).

This week we look at the OF and Relief Pitchers. Infield, Catchers and Starters .

OF- Delwyn Young currently has a seven game hitting streak  during which he is hitting .379. He also had a 6 game RBI streak. Young has now hit in 18 of his last 24 games, (.341) and has raised his average to approaching .250.

Brandon Moss has hit in his last 5 games (.421) after a 8-49 slump. Over his last 40 games, Moss has 11 HR and 26RBI, hitting .286.

Rich Thompson is on fire with 16 extra base hits in his last 18 games during which time, he is hitting .372, raising his average to .293 on the year.  WIth his 32 stolen bases, I am starting my yearly call for his September callup.  Very smart baserunner and very good fielder that could help win a game in September.

Relief Pitchers–Michael Schwimer is 4-1 with a 5 saves and a 1.10 ERA in his last 11 games (16.1IP 15H 2ER 1BB 20K). In his last 32 games, Schwimer is 6-1 with 8 saves and a 1.47 ERA, striking out 64 in 49 innings.

Mike Zagurski has gone 0-0 with a 2.30 ERA over his last 14 games, allowing just 5 hits, however walking 9 in 15.2 innings.  Zagurski is averaging 12K/9.

Justin DeFratus is unscored upon in his last 3 games after allowing at least 1ER in 5 straight games.  That being said, DeFratus is 2-0 with a 3.07 ERA and 2 saves over the last 10 games, striking out 16 in 14.2 innings.

Phillipe Aumont was activated after spending three weeks on the DL with a shoulder strain.  He last pitched on June 30.

Les Walrond has been unscored upon in his last 9 games spanning 13.1 innings.  DUring that time period, Walrond has given up just 5 hits and struck out 14.  Batters are hitting just .125 with RISP.

Aaron Heilman gave up a two run single on his first pitch in the Phillies organization. He entered the game with the bases loaded and threw an inning, giving up 2 hits and striking out 2. His second outing was fairly horrific, giving up three earned runs in his inning against Pawtucket. To summarize, two outings, two blown saves.

Joe Savery in his first 4 games with Lehigh Valley managed to double his win from 2010, earning two wins. A bit rocky during his first several outings after looking very good in Reading.

 Notes:Tagg Bozied missed two games this week for personal reasons.

–Scott Mathieson threw 87 pitches last Saturday against Columbus, the most pitches he has thrown in the 2.5 years since his last Tommy John surgery.  He went 4.1 innings, giving up a lone run and struck out 8.

–On July 24th, Lehigh Valley passed their win total for 2010 (58).

–After just two walk off wins in 2010, Lehigh Valley won for the 5th time in walk off fashion, Tuesday night with their 8-7 victory over Pawtucket.

—Ryan Feireabend has won his last 4 decisions.

–The bullpen is now a combined 29-9 with a 2.70 ERA, striking out 428 in 367 innings.

Probables: Thursday: Mathieson, Friday: Bass, Saturday: Bump, Sunday: Feireabend

Transactions: RP Aaron Heilman was signed and assigned to AAA Lehigh Valley.  Heilman, 32, was the Mets 1st round pick in the 2001 draft and was pitching for Arizona in the majors prior to his release last week.  For the DIamondbacks, Heilman was 4-1 with a 6.88 ERA in 32 games, spanning 35.1 innings.  His WHIP was 1.67. During both the 2009 and 2010 seasons, Heilman made 70 plus appearances each season with an ERA hovering between 4.00 and 4.50. I would expect him to be used in the 6th and 7th innings.

On Tuesday, Lehigh Valley activated Relief Pitcher Phillippe Aumont from the DL and sent Pitcher Tyson Brummett down to AA Reading.