“Can’t explain, I think it’s love
Try to say it to you when I feel blue
But I can’t explain (Can’t explain)”
-Pete Townshend/The Who
About Last Night
It’s been a long week. A big Friday night dinner and then a ball ga….
Falling asleep in the seats is not a good look. Andrew Painter was out of the game after the fifth inning, and we took to the opportunity to drive home safely. And just like all week, the IronPigs come back and won, now leading the series 4-0. Can’t explain it. Or maybe we can. Perhaps the Durham relievers aren’t very good. Scheduled starter Brian Van Belle was recalled to the Rays and the Bulls were left with a bullpen game. The IronPigs found one to get to in the sixth, and made the five runs stand up. 5-2 for the good guys.
Johan Rojas Spotlight: In 14 games Rojas is hitting .300/.344/.433 since arriving in Triple-A this season. Yes, the pitching is easier. But, he’s getting regular playing time and figuring things out–on and off the field. I’m not sure what his future holds, but I’ll be cheering for him. So will many others; he gets a nice warm welcome every time he’s announced. During the official delay yesterday, he had some fun with kids in the outfield. That’s what it’s all about. Play hard. Play where your feet are. Have fun. Everything will work out. Here’s the tweet/video as well as I could embed:
Johan Rojas making memories for young fans during a delay!#ironpigs #baseball #minorleaguebaseball pic.twitter.com/vpCA8P1MzS
— Lehigh Valley IronPigs (@IronPigs) August 22, 2025
Justin Crawford Spotlight: The other top-of-the-lineup speed merchant has been mired in a bit of a mini-slump over the last couple days. He busted out as part of the rally in the sixth last night with a double. As we mentioned before, we like him hitting second but what if you just swap them for a game or two? Just thinking.
Andrew Painter Notes: The stuff is all there. He’s still working on command to put it all together. We can tell you he gave up 4 hits and only 1 run over 5 innings with 5 strikeouts and it all sounds pretty good, right? But 4 walks and 90 pitches to get there is not the top-of-the-rotation starter you thought you had. But, he still is. He still has that stuff and that make-up. He just needs to find that command and continue to learn how to pitch versus professional hitters. He’ll get there. Our advice: Pitch at Triple-A this season until the end, or his pitch limit. Rest and off-season throwing program. Mechanics evaluation. Ramp up to challenge for a Phillies rotation spot in the Spring. Phillies should make sure they have enough depth so that Painter could get a half-dozen Triple-A starts if needed, to open the season.
Cabanas and Pools?
A commercial was shown prior to the fireworks last night (per sources of course we left after the fifth) to introduce the “Keystone Cabanas.” Evidently, unless this is April Fools or something, they’re going to build little cabana cabins in center field, just below the scoreboard, as private group areas for 2026. There will be a pool? Unknown; the artist renditions were inconsistent and a video of the video was sent to us, and we’ve gone over it like the Zapruder Film. Does it look cool? Oh, yes it does! Is it something for season ticket holders or regular game-day patrons? Nope, probably not. We’ll await more information.
Game Day!
Game Time: 6:35PM
Gates: 5:15PM Main/East/Center; 5:00 Club/West/Suites
Batting Practice: 4:15PM (Bacon Members, RSVP)
Tickets: Tight. This one’s probably going to sell out. Procure your tickets ahead of time. There are options on the secondary market and selling your tickets should be easy for tonight if you’re not going.
Promotions:
- Hot Tamales Night: Jersey auction and cap raffle are likely
- Rally Towel Giveaway: 5,000 Fans
- Post-game Fireworks
Special Food: Hot Tamale Cinnamon Popcorn and Hot Tamale cupcakes available at a kiosk behind home plate.
Weather: 81° and sunny at game time. Not terribly chilly by fireworks.
Pitching:
IronPigs: RHP Gabe Mosser (3-4, 6.11). Expect a roster move before game time to get Mosser active from the Development List. Please do not lose your mind if Andrew Painter goes on the Development List. It’s just roster management until next week when he starts again.
Bulls: RHP Yoniel Curet (0-2, 5.68 in three starts with Bulls). He is one of their pitching prospects. He’s pitched at three levels this season. He’s 22 years old, from the Dominican Republic.
Up Next
Close down the Bulls series tomorrow and then the team packs their bags for Omaha. Reading is home next week vs Chesapeake (ne Bowie).
See you at the park,
@Kram207
Featured Image by Jack Mitroka. It has been formatted to fit the space.
Be First to Comment