They couldn’t pull out the win last night in extra innings and will try to start a new win streak today before they shuffle up to Rochester to face the Triple-A Nationals. Ranger Suarez should be on the mound to help with that.
About Last Night
Alan Rangel didn’t appear to have his good stuff as he gave up some runs and hits early. Then, as the IronPigs were able to pull back in front 4-3, things started to go bad for him again and he relinquished it on another home run. A late rally by the IronPigs tied the game, but yet another Columbus home run in the 10th was too much. Castro had two hits. Lantigua had a home run. Brito is hitting .353 with a .803 OPS.
The IronPigs are now 18-8 and 2.0 games back in the league, as Jacksonville continues to abuse Gwinnett this week.
Coca Cola Park Not Friendly For Andy Tracy’s Clippers
Andy Tracy, the IronPigs original slugger, has been in decent spirits this week–especially considering that it took until last night for them to get even one win. Teams don’t usually make a ton of transactions on the road but the Clippers have had their Shortstop called up to Cleveland, a pitcher promoted directly from single-A, another shortstop to the Injured List, and two starting pitchers (Kolby Allard is one, which is why we didn’t see him last night) called up to Cleveland.
Around Here
OF Brandon Marsh and LHP Ranger Suarez are still in town. I would expect Marsh to be in the starting lineup in the outfield today and play the entire game. The Phillies are off tomorrow before starting a home set with Washington on Tuesday. I would expect Marsh and Suarez to join the team then, with official transactions happening whenever it becomes most advantageous. Ranger is still scheduled to pitch today but I wouldn’t bet everything on it as late scratches do happen sometimes.
Everything else has been pretty status quo. OF Matt Kroon is in Clearwater rehabbing his oblique. Carson Taylor is headed for the operating room to repair his torn labrum. No word on Christian Arroyo’s hamstring or Payton Henry’s hand, perhaps they’ll be ready soon.
Organizational Battle
As we look into next week, we’ve got the Washington Nationals coming to Philadelphia for a three-game mid-week set. The IronPigs head to Rochester to face the Triple-A Nationals, while Reading is at home for the Harrisburg Senators–yup, Double-A Nationals. Jersey Shore has the Yankees affiliate so it breaks down there, but still kinda interesting for this week to see where the strengths and weaknesses lie for each franchise.
GAME DAY!
First Pitch: 1:35PM
Weather: Clearing, but very breezy to outright windy. Not warm.
Gates: 12:15PM East/Main and Center Field
Club: 12:00PM
Promotion: Meet Bluey
Post-game: Kids Run The Bases
Pitching:
Lehigh Valley LHP Ranger Suarez (MLB Rehab) vs. Columbus LHP Parker Messick (1-1, 4.15) in a rematch of the Tuesday evening starters
See you at the park,
@Kram207
Featured Image by Cheryl Pursell. It has been cropped to fit the space.