The City Series continues as we Salute Easton tonight with special jerseys and caps.
About Last Night: Nola and the Splits
Aaron Nola took the mound to start game one of a scheduled single-admission doubleheader last night. He did allow a run early, but settled in and got his work done. He’s still refining things, and if they say he needs one more rehab, I would agree. He was still on a pitch limit last night which meant innings had to be covered in game one, a ‘Pigs blowout win. It’s difficult to say when Nola might pitch again; if they want him on a 5-day schedule that would be Monday, when there are no minor league games. He could pitch a simulated game, perhaps, or something in Florida. More likely, they have him start Tuesday in Reading. Or, depending on how Wheeler is feeling, they could just call him up and shut Wheeler down for real for a couple weeks. Stay tuned.
The second game was a wild one. The Pigs took the early deficit, which you kind of figured given the nature of the first win. But they battled back and took the lead. Then allowed Scranton to tie it. Extras. Not ideal in a bullpen game when you’ve burned a bunch of relievers anyway. Pigs give up an 8-spot. Lantigua pitches. Scranton, also out of pitchers, gives up 5 with their own position player adventure.
Two quick things: Hindsight and all but perhaps the time to use a position player to pitch would have been in game one with a 12-1 lead? It didn’t matter a ton, but I’m still a staunch advocate of the placed runner at second in extras during the regular season. I don’t need to see teams running out of pitchers unless it becomes unavoidable. The placed runner ends the game sooner and protects pitchers as well as other players. The impact on tonight’s game will be interesting–Mosser might need to go deep into the game depending on which relievers are available. Scranton could be facing some of the same challenges.
Finally, remember the name Felix Neon. He’s the third base ump who threw out, not one but two, IronPigs managers on the night. Perhaps Shelley Duncan should have gotten tossed for arguing balls and strikes after his team had already burned all their challenges contemplating Aaron Nola’s pitch movement.
And speaking of A.C.: With the win yesterday in the first game, he became the all-time winningest manager in IronPigs history. It seems like he just got here, but the pandemic ruined all perception of time and he’s had some good teams. I think he’s benefited from the Dombrowski regime’s philosophy on the use of the Triple-A squad.
Roster Update
If Reading were in town perhaps we could borrow a pitcher? But they are in New Hampshire and I don’t know if they’ve hired any Town Cars to help us with our rotation this week, which is the other problem facing the team.
Yesterday:
In one day (8/5) RHP Austin Schulfer was activated from the Injured List, pitched a clean inning in the game, and was released from the team. Cruel sport sometimes, man.
RHP Lou Trivino was activated.
Justin Crawford Watch: JC had a better day at the plate and in the field last night, both games, compared with Tuesday night. He makes things happen. And sometimes, that’s exactly what the Phillies need in their lineup.
Rehab Watch: Still on the lookout for LHP Jose Alvarado and 3B Alec Bohm. Nothing official yet.
Game Day!
Salute to Easton today! The IronPigs have done a great job with this “City Series” which makes me wonder, we gonna see Salute to Coplay? Macungie Night at the park? Why not?
Game Time: 7:05PM
Gates: 5:00PM East and Center Field, for happy hour. Club/West: 5:30PM
Tickets: Widely available
Promotions:
- Twisted Thursday Happy Hour: Drink specials from 5PM to 7PM
- Salute To Easton: Jersey Auction and Cap Raffle
- Cap Giveaway (Adults)
Weather: 78° Full Sun, light breeze, at game time. 0% rain.
Pitching:
IronPigs: RHP Gabe Mosser (3-3, 6.08)
RailRiders: RHP Alan Winans (9-0, 1.27 in AAA, 0-1, 8.68 in the Majors) Scouting: He’s been around for a while and we’ve probably seen him with Gwinnett in the past. He’s certainly having a nice season in Triple-A but his results with the big club may tell more of the story.
See you at the park,
@Kram207
Featured Image by Cheryl Pursell. It has been heavily cropped to fit the space.
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