I went to the Pigs’ game tonight, so I thought I’d post a few brief observations (from my earlier message board at philliesphans.com):

First, Savery. He had decent control for the most part, threw an 86 mph fastball (touched 87, occasionally sunk to 84), an 80-79 mph slider, and a slower change-up (around 73). This guy will never pitch in the majors. Every single batter on the Indians squared him up pretty much every at bat. Line-drive outs, hard hit foul balls, and their share of hits. Savery seems to nibble when he’s behind in the count, but on the few occasions he gets ahead, he almost invariably throws a waist-high FB that gets smacked. He clearly needs another pitch, an out pitch to use when he gets ahead. Without that pitch, he’s not even a LOOGY.

Continue reading Report from LV tonight →

A tough day for the Reading pitching staff with both Mike Cisco and Jason Stephens placed on the DL, both with right elbow inflammation.  Cisco, a starter is 1-3 with a 3.68 ERA in his 4 starts, to go along with a WHIP of 1.08.  Stephens has thrown 13.1 scoreless innings to start the year all in relief.  Jason Anderson was sent from Lehigh Valley to Reading to take one of the two roster spots in Reading.  Lehigh Valley needed to make a move after Antonio Bastardo was returned to Lehigh Valley from Philadelphia.

A quick look at the ‘Pigs weekend, along with a view notes.

Friday–Lehigh Valley closed out their series in Rochester with a 10-3 loss to the RedWings, splitting their series.  The ‘Pigs jumped to an early 1-0 lead, however starter Brian Mazone was hit hard in the 5th inning, giving up 5 runs, allowing Rochester to take a lead they didnt relinquish.  Back to back homers by Ransom (5) and Tracy (2), cut the lead temporarily to 5-3, however the lead grew once again when Rochester added a run in the 6th.  Mazone left after five innings, having allowed 5 runs on 7 hits.  He didnt walk a batter and struck out 3. Both Ehren Wasserman and Mike Zagurski got shelled in relief, resulting in the 10-3 final. Continue reading ‘Pigs Weekend Update →

Reading is still struggling to find a way to win consistently, going 2-5 since my last report.  2 of the 5 losses came in spectacular fashion, with the previously solid bullpen surrendering large 9th inning leads.  On the good news side, Quentin Berry, Tyson Gillies, and Domonic Brown are back playing, and Brown and Gillies seem to have found their strokes (it’s a bit too soon to tell for Berry).

Continue reading Reading Phillies Weekly Report 4/24-5/1 →

Outfielder Quintin Berry, who has played just one game this season and has missed the last two weeks of the season with an infection was activated today from the disabled list.  To make room on the roster, INF Keoni DeRenne was placed on the DL with a right shin contusion.  Additionally, 27 year old RHP Ty Taubenheim was placed on the Reading roster.  Reading had been down a pitcher since Bj Rosenberg went on the DL about 10 days ago.  Taubenheim, 6’5, 255, spent last season at Indianapolis (AAA) going 7-9 with a 3.65 ERA in his 19 starts.

The injuries continue for the Phils, and the flavor of the day is Ryan Madson, who was placed on the DL with a broken toe, which was apparantly suffered AFTER his appearance on Wednesday.  Antonio Bastardo was called up to Philadelphia without having unpacked his bags in Allentown, having been sent down just yesterday to make room for Brad Lidge.

With the upcoming activation of Brad Lidge on Friday prior to the Phils game against the Mets, the Phillies have announced their intention to send LH reliever Antonio Bastardo back down to the Minors, presumably to Lehigh Valley. Bastardo, 24, has been used sparingly by the Phils but has pitched fairly well yielding an ERA of just 1.69 through 7 appearances.  The Phils hands are tied a bit as if they attempt to send David Herndon down, he would first have to be offered back to the Angels, from whom he came in the Rule 5 draft.  Additionally, Nelson Figueroa would have to clear waivers before being sent down as has pitched well in his opportunities thus far.  More decisions to be made with the activation of Joe Blanton presumably coming soon (Monday?)

Reading wins, 2-0

Gillies 0/4; Galvis 0/3, BB; Brown 1/3, 3B, BB

Aumont 6 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K; Chapman 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 1 K; Schwimer 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 K, save

Nice 1-hitter by the staff! Only hit was a ground-ball single to right.

Continue reading Sunday Boxscores 4/25 →