A doubleheader sweep leading into a rare Sunday evening affair and what could be more…..wait, what is that glowing orb in the sky?
About Last Night
Late afternoon into evening and “unexpected” showers had the IronPigs in familiar territory yesterday afternoon during this series with the Buffalo Bisons. RHP Mick Abel took the ball in the opener and looked a little rusty to start, off his stellar MLB debut, but settled in nicely. RHP Brett de Geus came in for his third save without generating any drama. A 4-1 win in the books.
In the nightcap, RHP Kyle Tyler was in the process of taking a perfect game into the sixth inning when things started being said on the radio broadcast and I changed seats for a better view and then everything went sideways. But Otto Kemp had staked a nice lead with his opposite-field shot and two runs in the sixth off of Tyler were manageable. RHP Daniel Robert coming in to walk a batter and hit two more was almost disaster. But, he got out of it and “Pigs Fly” to a 4-2 victory and a doubleheader sweep.
Standings Update
In yesterday’s column titled “Moving Day” we surmised that a very good or very bad day might create some changes in the standings.
Durham split and Jacksonville lost, combined with the IronPigs two wins, opens up a 5.0 games lead in the Eastern Division. It’s league-wide standings that count, though, and a Nashville win drops them a half-game to 4.0 games back, due to the two ‘Pigs wins. Indy, Iowa and Memphis are all within shouting distance but not threatening right now.
We are well within our countdown to June 22:
After today… ( >.500 teams are in italics)
IronPigs: at Norfolk, at Charlotte, home Worcester, home Rochester
Durham: home Memphis, at Jacksonville, home Charlotte, at Omaha
Jacksonville: at Gwinnett, home Durham, at Rochester, at Syracuse
Nashville: at Indianapolis, home Gwinnett, at Norfolk, home Iowa
Analysis: Pigs play no winning teams. Nashville plays two of four series against winning teams. Durham and Jacksonville play each other. Common opponents include Rochester, Norfolk, and Charlotte. The final week of the first half has Lehigh Valley at home for the second week in a row versus league-worst Rochester, Durham on the road at basement-dweller Omaha, Jacksonville on the road for the second week in a row. And, Nashville at home against a talented Iowa squad.
Bad News: June 1st opt-outs are coming. I do not know who might be eligible, but if some of the non-40-man guys aren’t feeling the love from Philadelphia, they could take their talents elsewhere. This team is deeper than one guy but a couple might put the depth in jeopardy with not a lot at Reading ready to help just yet. Also, Philadelphia could decide they want to impact our roster with call-ups or trades or other tomfoolery. And, they could decide to see more of RHP Mick Abel on that level while Aaron Nola is on the mend.
Good News: It sounds like a great clubhouse and winning is fun and showcases each player’s talent for later. Being on the Phillies train is also fun right now. If a guy can get an MLB gig, of course they should, (see also: Clemens, Kody) but another Triple-A job? Maybe not. We should have RHP Andrew Painter through 6/22 and with RHP Aaron Nola not ready to throw off the mound yet, we could see a rehab appearance, although I’m not counting on it.
Second Half: It’s way too early to look at the second half and winning the second half doesn’t get you any home playoff games anyway. But, should attrition eat away at this roster from whatever direction, Reading does have gold-glove 1B Keaton Anthony hitting .320. OF prospect Hendry Mendez hitting .304. Top prospect SS Aidan Miller heating up, perhaps for an August or September call to Triple-A. OF Cade Fergus having already proven that he can contribute on this level. There’s not much pitching there yet, though.
Buffalo
RHP Eric Pardinho to the Injured List
RHP Paxton Schultz to the Blue Jays
Game Day!
There’s a Car Show today from 12PM to 3PM if you’re going over early. This game is headed for a pre-game sell-out so grab some GA’s right now if you need tickets.
It’s a 6:35PM start with 5:15PM Main Gates and 5:00PM Club Gates
Promotion: Memorial Day observation, camo cap giveaway, post-game fireworks, post-game kids run bases.
Weather: 65° partly sunny and breezy at game time. Calming and cooling as the game goes on. Upper-mid-50’s by fireworks.
Pitching:
Lehigh Valey: RHP Alan Rangel (2-0, 5.63) He gave up 3 runs in six innings on Tuesday to this team, to go with no walks and four strikeouts. He gave up two home runs in the 5-4 IronPigs win.
Buffalo: RHP C.J. Van Eyk (0-0, 5.40) Florida State product who made his Triple-A debut and went five innings on Tuesday is in line to make this start, but recent changes in Buffalo’s pitching staff as well as the doubleheader yesterday could have changes in order.
Final Thoughts: This is a take-care-of-business spot for the IronPigs. They’ve got tomorrow off and a six-hour bus trip to Norfolk on tap for early Tuesday morning, to kick off two straight weeks on the road. Buffalo’s pitching is questionable and they’re headed back to western New York tonight. Let’s just get this last win here fellas!
See you at the park,
@Kram207
Featured Image by Jack Mitroka
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