Two wins on the bookends of the week, surrounded by five losses in the middle. 4-24, 2-5 this week, 14.5 games out of first, a month into the season. Can it get any worse? Lets hope and pray the answer is no. Every day it seems I say to myself, and I am sure Dave Huppert, the ‘Pigs manager says to himself, “It can’t get any worse, and then it does. Looking at league leaders, Andy Tracy is now 6th in the IL in homers with 5. As far as pitching leaders go, James Happ is 5th in the league with 33.1 innings pitched and 2nd in strikeouts with 37. Brian Mazone is 2nd in the league with 38.1 innings pitched.
Category Archives: 02. Org Reports
Clearwater Threshers Report
Well last week’s report contained 8 games due to a 10:30 am game on Wednesday last week, so this week’s report includes only 5 games because of a day off for the league on Tuesday this week. Of course the big story for the week was Antonio Bastardo’s line in his game this past week. Overall the team went 2-3 on the week winning it’s last two games making it the first time this season the team has won two games in a row.
The offense has come to life a bit as of late coming up from last in the league in team batting average after week one, and next to last in batting average after week two to fourth (of twelve teams) in batting average currently. The offense has drawn the second most walks in the league, and has struck out fewer than all but one team in the league. Unfortunately the team is hitting without any power at all. The offense is last in slugging percentage, and in all XBH categories, last is RBIs, and next to last in runs scored as a result. (The odd thing is the team with the fewest runs in the league, the Tampa Yankees, are only one game out of first in the division.)
For the most part pitching remains the team’s strength and they lead the league with four shut outs so far this year, and have allowed the second fewest runs. The team has the third most strikeouts in the league with 197, but has also allowed the second most walks with 99. Continue reading Clearwater Threshers Report
Bastardo and the Sharks Blank the Yanks
Despite having given up just four runs in four games while striking out a league high 34 batters Clearwater Threshers’ starter Antonio Bastardo had earned just one win in his first four tries this year. On Sunday afternoon he would be given his fifth chance to earn a win, and he certainly made the most of his outing. Antonio had his best outing of the year going 8.0 innings and striking out 13 Yankees in the process both season highs for him. Continue reading Bastardo and the Sharks Blank the Yanks
Iron Pigs–Week 3
Lehigh Valley lost each and every game since we last spoke and now stand at 2-20, in last place in the Northern Division of the International League, already 12.5 games out of first. The ‘Pigs have no player among the league leaders in hitting. In the pitching categories, JA Happ is 4th in innings (26.1)and first in strikeouts (32). Ron Chiavacci is 3rd in innings pitched (27.1). and 7th in strikeouts with 23. Continue reading Iron Pigs–Week 3
Clearwater Threshers Weekly Report
This week’s Clearwater Threshers report includes a bonus 8 games for the week thanks to a 10:30 am game on Wednesday that I was able to include here. Fortunately it was able to add another win to put them at a still disappointing 3-5 since my last report. As I mentioned last week it continues to be the pitching that is helping Clearwater out while their hitting as a team remains a disappointment to this point in the year.
Despite the poor team record there are some prospects on the team putting up terrific numbers. As I mentioned the pitching is carrying them to this point so I’ll touch on that first. Continue reading Clearwater Threshers Weekly Report
Iron Pigs Review
After the second full week of the International League season the Iron Pigs are mired in last place with a 2-13 record, eight full games behind the divsion leading Scranton-Wilkes Barre Yankees. While there are no Pigs among the league hitting leaders, Ron Chiavacci leads the league with a 0.52 ERA and is 8th in the league with 17.1 innings pitched. Brian Mazone is 7th in the league with 18 innings pitched, however leads the league in homers allowed with 4. JA Happ is tied for the league lead in strikeouts with 21.
Clearwater Threshers News
The Clearwater Threshers continue to struggle with a record of 4-8 on the season. The pitching has by far been the team’s strength as they have the 4th best ERA in the league at 3.32 and the 3rd most strikeouts with 94. Unfortunately their hitting has kept them from winning very many as they are dead last in the league in hits, and slugging percentage with only 20 extra base hits on the year.
Antonio Bastardo and Joe Savery have lead the way for the starting pitchers each posting impressive 0.90 ERAs on the year while Adrian Cardenas (.347), Matt Spencer (.302) and John Urick (.300) are the only Threshers hitters batting .300 or better with five players languishing at .200 or below.
Weekly Report Lakewood Blue Claws
Very busy week for me, sorry this is late. Busy getting our Little League going. This is short and sweet.
The Blue Claws went 4-3 this week; even the losses were very close games.Last Wednesday, The Blue Claws beat Hagerstown 6-5 behind Mike Durant’s 4-4 day with a double and home run. Lakewood scored three runs in the bottom of the 6th with 4 straight two out hits. Taylor, Durant and Mattair all singled before Joel Naughton cleared the bases with a double. Tyson Brummett pitched well going 6ip, just 3hs and 1ER. Simon go the first of his 3 lucky wins this week. Thursday night the Blue Claws rapped out 11 hits to back Julian Sampson’s 5ip,6h, 2r, 2bb 4k effort. The Blue Claws won 7-5. Rizzotti, Taylor, Bolt, and Winn each had two hits. Simon got this second win in a row in relief. Friday, Lakewood’s bats went ice cold, only getting 3 hits in a 3-1 loss at Delmarva. Diekman pitched well, 6ip, 4 hits just one run with 3bb & 4ks. Saturday Delmarva won again, 2-1. Joel Naughton had 2 doubles and Chance Chapman went just 4 ip giving up 5 hits and one run. Rocchio got the loss in relief. On Sunday, the bats came back to life behind the solid effort of Drew Naylor, 7ip, 2r, 8k & just one bb. Naughton went 2 for 2 after pinch hitting; Kyle Bolt had 2 doubles to pace Lakewood. Yesterday, the Blue Claws were at Lake County, losing 5-4. Tyson Brummett went 6 innings, giving up 5h, 4 earned runs with 2 walks and 8 strikeouts. Michael Taylor had two hits including a home run.And earlier today Lakewood finished up their road trip with a 5-3 win. Julian Sampson went 7ip, givng up just 2 runs. Durant and Taylor kept going with their hot hitting with 2 hits a piece, Taylor’s were both doubles.
Who’s Hot ( through Monday)
Mike Taylor.364 with 4doubles
Mike Durant .325, 4 HR 8 RBI
Drew Naylor 3.18 era, 17ip 20k 3bb
Tyson Brummett 3.18, 17ip, 21k, 7bb
Who’s Not
Freddy Galvis .163
D’Arby Myers .162
Travis Mattair .143
Derrick Mitchell .118
Who’s Lucky
Jared Simon 3 wins in relief
From the Jersey Shore,
Bob Everett
Reading Phillies Weekly Roundup
Much like the big-league club, this year’s Reading Phillies are off to a so-so start. At 4-4, they’re in the middle of the pack in the Eastern League Southern Division. They started off hot, taking three of four from the Altoona Curve to open the season, but have cooled down and lost their last three straight games.
By now, I’m sure most of you have heard about OF Greg Golson hitting the tar out of the ball. After 8 games, Golson’s batting a tidy .323 with three doubles, a triple, and seven steals, all while tying for the team lead in runs scored with five. It looks as if his winter spent with Charlie Manuel has helped Golson up his game. However, before we sing his praises and worship him as the savior of the Phils minor-league chain, it’s important to note that his OBP is only .344, while his K-BB ratio is 8-1 on the young season. Golson’s going to have to get on base more often before he can really display one of his most impressive tools — his speed. His season is certainly one to keep an eye on as he looks to possibly earn a call-up during September.
Threshers’ Pitching Grounds Flying Tigers
Matt Spencer celebrates after what would prove to be the game winning home run.
It’s not the normal night for Threshers news, but the pitching staff threw such a gem tonight, I thought the news was worth sharing.
The Clearwater Threshers came out on Friday night after being shut out for the first time this season on Thursday looking for some retribution. Antonio Bastardo took the hill for the team, and for five innings he held the Lakeland Flying Tigers on the runway never able to take off. He picked up ten Ks and allowed just three hits and three walks over that period.
Phuture Phillies 