Bullpen Blown Up; ‘Pigs Lose, Down 2-1

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After numerous renditions of 99 bottles of beer on the wall with the traveling media, the IronPigs arrived back in Lehigh Valley at 6:00 a.m. Thursday after a nine hour bus ride,in time to get in a couple of hours of shut eye before arriving back at the park to play Game 3 of the Championship Series against visiting Columbus.  The ‘Pigs played like they shouldnt have gotten off the bus, in their 6-2 loss to Columbus, going down 2-1 in the best of five series.  The game can best be summarized by the 13 IronPigs’ that Joe Martinez struck out (his season high had been 7) and Lehigh Valley walking in 3 runs on 5 walks during the top of the 9th. An ugly night at Coca Cola Park to say the very least.  The questions swirling around Allentown are why relievers Juan Perez and Chance Chapman, two relievers that havent pitched in weeks and are at the very back of the excellent IronPigs bullpen were used in such critical situations in the 9th.

A two run home run by Luke Carlin gave Columbus a 2-0 lead in the 2nd inning, a lead that was insurmountable with how Joe Martinez was throwing. .  Dave Bush, the starter for Lehigh Valley was pitching in and out of trouble, getting out of trouble several times through great fielding by Freddy Galvis.  The ‘Pigs managed to manufacture a run in the 3rd when Freddy Galvis singled, advanced to second on a hit by pitch (Thompson), was sacrificed to 3rd and then scored on a sacrifice fly by Kevin Frandsen.

Columbus tacked on another run in the 7th on a RBI single by Chad Huffman off of reliever Ryan Feireabend before Lehigh Valley was able to scratch out a run in the 8th with RIch Thompson as the catalyst, walking, stealing 2nd, advancing to third on a throwing error, and scoring on a Scott Podsednik ground out.  The wheels completely came off in the 9th inning as Juan Perez gave up a double and two walks to load the bases before Chance Chapman was brought in and walked each of the three batters he faced, walking in runs on each. Lehigh Valley went very quietly in the 9th, and look to bounce back tomorrow at 7:00. 

Notes: Domonic Brown is hitting 1-18 with 7K’s this post season.

–The ‘Pigs locker was very quiet post game.  Manager Ryne Sandberg explained the decision-making in using Perez/Chapman in the ninth as a combination of “liking the matchups” and getting others in the bullpen rested in order to win the next two games.  When asked whether Domonic Brown would be in the lineup tomorrow, Sandberg responded that every day he (Sandberg)”comes in, has my coffee and decide who gives us the best chance to win.  That is what I do every day, and that is what I will do tomorrow.” Notably, Sandberg also said that Freddy Galvis has “opened eyes and exceeded expectations at AAA.”.

–Dave Bush’s line: 5IP 8H 2ER 4BB 4K.

–Lehigh Valley struck out 15 times tonight and were 0-6 with RISP.

–Ryan Edell takes the mound for Game 4 tomorrow, with Brian Bass pitching Game 5 if necessary.

23 thoughts on “Bullpen Blown Up; ‘Pigs Lose, Down 2-1”

  1. The Iron Pigs have made it a practice to come back late in games this year. Let’s hope thye do it again against Columbus. Edell and Bass will give them a chance I’m sure. Now the hitters need to step up as they have all season. I’m hopeful that someone will pick Moss up. He has been extraordinary, but needs some help. The pitching has held up its side.

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      1. He really may need to see a sports psychologist in the next few weeks. He certainly is in a ‘funk’. Better here in AAA then up in the bigs next year.

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    2. A co-worker said that the home plate umpire was horrible and was erratic in his strike zone. He said it was almost like the old Nintendo video game where everything the pitcher throws is a ball even right down the middle.

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      1. Yeah he was not good. There were a number of arguments on both sides with him. I think I counted 3 pigs who started walking to first and instead got a strike. That being said, the 9th inning was just poor pitching.

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    1. He is getting better each time out. It was nice to see him get a win. Striking out the big guy in Mil. must of been a boost for Schwim.

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  3. Galvis is really opening eyes and could be a internal replacement for Rollins next year. I have a feeling that one of the Bay teams will give him a ridiculous 5 year above market contract.

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      1. Jimmy Rollins would never move off short stop. He wants to play shortstop for his career and quite frankly has earned the right to.

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    3. Galvis needs another year at AAA to become the best player he can be. If the Phils lose Rollins, and its certainly possible, they’d likely sign a veteran guy on a 1 year deal and watch how Galvis does towards a 2013 start.

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  5. Well, I’ve never seen a guy walk in 3 runs with the bases loaded, in the 9th inning or otherwise. I took a picture for posterity. Hopefully Chapman’s confidence is not too shaken by this one. Galvis had a terrific play to end an inning, doing his Jeter-esque spin throw move. He imitated it in the dugout after the play, and the guys were laughing about it. Plus his drag bunt helped create a run. Hopefully this post season experience is really going to contribute to his development. The Indians pitcher was basically shutting down the pigs, with (i think) 6 K’s in the first 2 innings alone. He was more dominant than the score reflected.
    Brown looks lost and frustrated. Thank god Mayberry is finally stepping up because Brown has a long way to go.

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    1. Maybe when it comes down to it, the kid may need a ‘change of scenery’ as they say. Seems half the people are disillusioned and down on Domo and the other half still have high expectations with a few reservations. Hard to believe it has come to this after seeing the kid in spring training 2010!

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  6. On what basis does Galvis need another year? Every player is different so how can anyone make a judgement without the benefit of spring training. Blessed are the meek…

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    1. Because this year has come completely out of nowhere and people would like to see him repeat it before they dub him “the future.” In addition, people would rather see them resign Jimmy Rollins, who is still a very productive MLB player.

      A little extra seasoning wouldn’t hurt him. It actually worked out pretty well for Howard and Utley.

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  8. Just think 2 years ago people were saying that Chapman could help the big league club soon. My how things have changed.

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  9. If it comes down to Rollins wanting 5 years the Phillies go with Galvis, Especially if they have the fortune to win it this year. J-Roll has said early on he’d like to play in the Bay area some point in his career. The Giants have to offer him 5 years for him to take it and leave Phils offer him 4 at 9-10 million he stays.Reyes is the wrench in this because some idiot is going to give him 7 years @$15 million.

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