The Series So Far
Not good. Tuesday, they grabbed defeat out of the jaws of victory. A healthy lead evaporated when Mercado, Lazar and Snead yielded the runs, with Snead walking 5 over two innings of work.
Then I wrote a whole thing about how great the lineup was looking.
Wednesday, Tucker Davidson got BABIP’d to death in the second inning, and said powerful lineup couldn’t come back from it.
Thursday felt non-competitive as the Red Wings just dripped in runs inning after inning and then made fabulous (and lucky?) plays in the field to crush the ‘Pigs, who could only manage four hits on the night.
So here we are, 0-3 on the week and looking to save some face on the weekend. Any bright points?
- 1B Keaton Anthony is back, and hitting right away
- 1B/LF Felix Reyes hit a homer on Wednesday
- RHP Brian Keller went four innings with one earned run last night, a good showing for a guy who’s both coming back from Tommy John and hasn’t really pitched in a while, and might not be that stretched out yet. We’re going to need starting inning in the worst kind of way with the Wilson opt-out.
“Tuesday Transactions” And Such
- C Rene Pinto and OF Pedro Leon had their rehabilitation stints promoted to High-A Jersey Shore. There is the possibility one or both could get back with the ‘Pigs this weekend, although far from guaranteed.
- As expected, 1B Keaton Anthony was activated from his 7-Day Injured List stay, due to a broken foot suffered in Spring Training
- C Lou Albrecht returned to the Development List
- RHP Bryse Wilson released after exercising his opt-out clause.
- RHP Gabriel Barbosa promoted from Hi-A Jersey Shore
Discussion: No movement from any of the pitchers in Reading. They are in Binghamton, NY, just up I-81 and the turnpike, so there is the possibility for this weekend, but more likely if movement is to happen it will be Sunday night when Reading returns home. They are home for Portland next week and the ‘Pigs are in Scranton. We’re going to need starters and we’re going to need length and we’re going to need numbers coming up here. The discussion about the good lineup can be laughed off, but we’re not a very talented pitching team when you have to cover 54+ innings per week.
OF Gabriel Rincones, Jr. sat yesterday with a tough lefty on the mound. Could be planned rest but we’re watching to see how they bring him along this season. No further leftys for Rochester this week.
This Weekend At The Park
Friday: 6:45PM start time. Faith Night. Fireworks. RHP Chuck King on the mound for the ‘Pigs.
Saturday: 6:35PM start time. Squonk Night. ?Jersey Auction. Rally Towel giveaway. Fireworks. RHP Alan Rangel on the mound for the ‘Pigs
Sunday: 1:15PM start time. Caturday. Lint Roller giveaway. Post-game kids run bases. RHP Drake Fellows back on the mound for the ‘Pigs.
Up Next
As mentioned above, the ‘Pigs head up the Northeast Extension to play Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (NYY) next week in Moosic. When they return, they’ll have their only back-to-back home series of the season, with Worcester (BOS) in for a week, followed by Syracuse (NYM) the next week. Plenty of friendly, well-adjusted fans will be around, for sure. Reading, by the by if you’re up for a trip to Baseballtown, will have their back-to-back starting this week with Portland (BOS), followed by an overlap with the Worcester series when they get Hartford (COL). They’ll then head to Altoona (PIT) for a week while we have the Smets, and they’ll have New Hampshire at home in the week that culminates with the July 4 weekend.
Coca Cola Park will host events on July 3 and 4 for fireworks and festivities, so check that out if you’re not headed to Reading for baseball.
See you at the park,
@Kram207