The ‘Pigs have gone 2-5 since we last spoke and are now 16-22 on the year, 7.5 games behind division leading Buffalo in the Northern Division of the International League. Lehigh Valley finishes up their road trip with three more games against Norfolk, before returning home on Saturday for a four game series against Rochester.

‘Pigs Leaders: Cesar Hernandez is 7th in AB’s (148), 8th in runs (23), 5th in SB (10), 5th in hits(48),leads the league in triples (4) Darin Ruf is 6th in doubles (12); and 7th in strikeouts (38) Jermaine Mitchell is 2nd in triples (3); Cody Asche is 8th in strikeouts (37).

Pitchers: Ethan Martin has the 6th worst ERA (5.77), 8th worst WHIP (1.51) and is 5th in walks (23); Tyler Cloyd has the 8th worst ERA (5.40), is 8th in HR allowed (5); Jake Diekman is 4th in walks (23); BJ Rosenberg has the 9th worst WHIP (1.51).

‘Pigs Prospects: Darin Ruf has been very hot, hitting .417 with 1HR and 7RBI over his last 10 games and is now approaching .300 on the year with a line of .296/.370/.496 with 5HR and 22RBI in 136 AB’s.  Ruf has been solid in LF and played 1B once or twice a week. Ruf has consistent splits at .292 vs. LH and .297 vs. RH.  With another 50-75 solid AB’s through May, I think the Phils really need to consider adding him to the mix in the OF.

Leandro Castro has been slumping, hitting just .189 over his last 10 games, but his high energy approach has still been a positive in the IronPigs lineup.  On the year, .264/.294/.397 with 3HR and 13RBI, to go along with 8SB. Castro is hitting .367 vs. LH and .231 vs. RH, to go along with .267 with RISP. Significantly down from years passed, Castro’s K rate is just 17%.

Cesar Hernandez continues to be very consistent.  While he has hit just .238 over the last 10 games, Hernandez hit safely in 9 of those 10.  Among the league leaders in several offensive categories, Hernandez is at .324/.383/.446 with 2HR 15RBI and 10SB’s on the year. Hernandez is hitting .306 vs. LH, .330 vs. RH, and .289 with RISP, and is playing solid defense as well.

Tyler CLoyd hasnt pitched since he was optioned back to Lehigh Valley after his successful start against Arizona last Friday night.  After rough goings early on, Cloyd has been well as of late and is likely to be called back up when the Phils need a 5th starter again. On the year, Cloyd has made 6 starts for the ‘Pigs and is 1-3 with a 5.40 ERA, but in his last two AAA starts, Cloyd has allowed just 4 ER in 15 innings, walking just one and striking out 13.

Next week: Morgan, Diekman, Martin, Stutes, Asche

News and Notes: Catcher Tommy Joseph remains on the DL with a concussion suffered last week.  He is day to day.

–Joe Savery had his first poor outing of the year on Tuesday vs. Norfolk, giving up 4 ER in 0.1IP.

Probables: Wed: Morgan; Thur: Cloyd; Fri: Martin.

Transactions: P Justin Friend was called up from Reading to Lehigh Valley on Thursday. On Friday, Joe Savery was optioned to Lehigh Valley and Tyler Cloyd was called up to start Friday’s game.  Tyler Cloyd was optioned to Lehigh Valley on Saturday. P Justin DeFratus was called up by the Phils on Saturday.