Somewhere between “player development” and “on-field entertainment product” sometimes a baseball team emerges with pitching and hitting and complimentary play. And then, all those parts come together to manifest something special. That’s hard to do on the Major League level–but it’s desirable and worth trying for. Down here in the minors it’s even more difficult because at the end of the day it’s secondary to the other issues at hand: Player Development and Big League Support. But, sometimes it still happens. The 2025 IronPigs won a tough 2-1 game last night against Columbus at Coca Cola Park. It was a Big Boy win. It’s still early in the season and attrition has already hit the lineup, but this could be something special. The ‘Pigs sit at 16-7, 1.0 game back in the league standings to Jacksonville. They’ve won three in a row.
About Last Night
- Mick Abel took the ball and went 7.0 full innings yielding only one run on four hits. He mixed his pitches well and filled up the strike zone. He maintained velocity. He did it without Stubbs behind the plate. It was a Big Boy performance and probably puts him in line for a Big League start if the need arises. It’s also something to build on, so we go forward watching for consistency. It only took him 82 pitches (52 strikes) to get through those seven innings. Good efficiency.
- Zuñiga, whom you can bet was right at the top of the lineup card Wednesday night (he was inadvertently left off it on Tuesday) remained perfect on the season with a clean inning marred only by one walk. That’s what you need to hold a 2-1 lead.
- Lazar came in to get the save, and while he’s at the top of the call-up list for bullpen opportunities with the Phillies, it never quite feels dominant. But, his ERA is down to 3.00 and he certainly got the job done last night. (It took him 20 pitches, is part of the vibes-level complaint)
- Still just 5322 announced attendance. Beautiful night, too. Where is everybody?
- Weston Wilson went up to the Phillies and started earlier in the day in Left Field at Citi Field against the Mets.
- OF Cade Fergus got a chance to play Triple-A for real following his emergency opportunity last season. He ended up scoring the winning run. It’s not for certain he’ll stay here when folks start getting healthy (Arroyo, Kroon) but seizing the opportunity is all you can do.
Resources
- There is a Series Preview if you want more information about Columbus and what’s going on this week. Columbus has altered their starting rotation a bit, though, so that part can get disregarded.
- The Roster Overview is mostly up to date. Printable Roster: 042225 LHV Roster
Game Day!
Game Time: 6:45PM
All Gates: 5:00PM
Promotions:
- Twisted Thursday Happy Hour: Draft beer specials from 5:00PM to 7:00PM
- Pencil Case Giveaway (kiddos)
- Wrestling Night: Awards given out pre-game
- ’90s Night
Weather: Mid-70s and sun at game time. A little breezy and will dip to maybe 65 by the end of the game; sweatshirt optional.
Rehab: Look for OF Brandon Marsh at the park. Not sure if he’ll be in the lineup but he should be here all weekend.
Pitching:
LHV: RHP Nabil Crismatt (3-1, 3.43)
COL: RHP Vince Velasquez (0-0, 5.73)
Yes, THAT Vince Velasquesz. Vinny Velo. He’s coming back from missing 2024 with elbow surgery. He started the season giving up 2 runs in 2.2 innings. He followed that with a 4 inning outing in which he yielded 3 runs. He most recent outing he went 4.1 innings, gave up 4 hits, 3 runs, 2 earned. He’s still building up so it might be good to try to jump on him early.
See you at the park,
@Kram207
Featured Image by Cheryl Pursell