The IronPigs return from Worcester following a miracle comeback win on Sunday to prevent a five-game losing streak. The four losses last week included a 19-0 pasting on Saturday. It was the largest margin of defeat in IronPigs history, surpassing the four touchdowns they gave up to Durham last season in a 28-10 beat-down. Scranton is in town this week. Here’s what you need to know for this series:
Photo: Jack Mitroka
There’s Always Next Year
The schedule came out. I got my bill. For next season. Both on the same day. There’s gonna be baseball, I’m pretty sure, but there are the issues with the schedule: HERE
Then again, maybe I won’t send them a bolus of money right away…
No Favors From Above
The trade deadline is always a chaotic time in the baseball season, but as the parent Phillies seem to be flailing desperately to win games and stay in the playoff race. Much of that turmoil flows downhill impacting the IronPigs. That will likely continue as the Phillies head out on the road this week to St Louis and Minnesota by way of Dyersville, Iowa. If you were making plans to attend playoffs in Memphis you can likely table those, as the IronPigs are closer to the bottom than the top in the standings. Who’s in first? Stay tuned.
Who’s Hot
- OF Felix Reyes always seems to swing a big bat on the road.
- OF Gabriel Rincones Jr hit a home run Sunday, his first of the season for the Pigs
- RHP Alex McFarlane might be a Phillie by the time you read this
- RHP Alan Rangel won a “player of the week” honor before they started driving him around the Eastern Seaboard.
- C Paul McIntosh’s average is up to .271 and his OPS is up to .796
- OF Tommy Pham is up to 6 HRs while UTIL Dalton Moore is up to 12 doubles
- Noted power hitter Ronald Moore is up to 11 HRs and 13 Doubles this season. His most HRs ever was 9–in a whole season at READING
Who’s Not
- Rincones got off the schnide with the HR on Sunday, but is hitting just .218 in Triple-A
- C Payton Henry is hitting just .207 with a .586 OPS
- Starting pitching: Allard is on the full-season IL, Keller couldn’t get out of the first. Fellows took a loss this week. King as well.
caveat: some of the starting pitching difficulty has come in the later innings of the starts. It very well could be, they are left in to fend for themselves because the bullpen has been in some disarray–due to calls up and down from the big leagues as well as some trades and such.
Transactions, Oldest to Newest since last home-stand
- OF Steward Berroa outright to IronPigs following DFA
- RHP Mitch Neunborn activated from the 7-day IL
- RF Colby Thomas assigned to IronPigs following trade from A’s, for Seth Johnson
- RHP Nolan Hoffman traded to Royals
- RF Gabe Rincones Jr optioned from Philadelphia
- LHP Kyle Backhus optioned from Philadelphia
- INF Liover Peguero released
- C Mark Kolozsvary on rehab with Jersey Shore
- RHP Lou Trivino III outright to IronPigs following DFA
- INF Christian Cairo to 7-day Injured List
- C Payton Henry outright to IronPigs following DFA
- C Jordan Dissin and C Lou Albrecht to Development List
- LHP Kolby Allard to 60-Day Injured List
- RHP Lou Trivino III re-signed to minors deal and assigned to IronPigs
- RHP Chase Shugart optioned to IronPigs
- RHP Brandon Beckel to IronPigs from Jersey Shore
- RHP Alan Rangel recalled to Phillies
- C Lou Albrecht released
- RHP Chase Shugart recalled to Phillies
Photo: Jack Mitroka
First Place
Yup, this silly Scranton team is somehow in first place. They’ve got Worcester and Durham on their heals. They’re coming off a 2-4 home series with Rochester, though, so not gangbusters right now. A perusal of their roster reveals many familiar names–just from how often we play these guys–but many of them are injured. That could be part of the recent swoon. LHP Carlos Rodon is with the team on rehab, but it is not know if he’ll appear during this series. C Abrahan Gutierrez is a familiar name in Phillies prospect circles. INF Anthony Volpe and OF Jasson Dominguez are still in the minors for some reason. Their manager is still Shelley Duncan if anyone wants to get the old “left-right-left” going.
At The Park This Week
Tuesday: Pitties Night (Pit Bull celebration, but hopefully Pitbull tunes on the PA all night!), Tail Waggin Day, Adoption and Rescue reps in the plaza, Dog Bowl Giveaway (Adult Humans)
Wednesday: Tacos and Tallboys, Youth Beanie Giveaway (17 and under), Casey Bat Dog Appearance
Thursday: Twisted Happy Hour 5PM – 7PM (all gates 5PM), Cris P. Bacon Bobblehead Giveaway (Adults)
Friday: Pirate Night, Pirate Ship Appearance, Boy Scout Night, Fireworks
Saturday: Golf Night, Tin Cup Giveaway (Adults), Fireworks
Sunday: Football Day, Mini Football Giveaway (Adults), Eagles Drumline Appearance, Post-Game Kids Run Bases.
Photo: Jack Mitroka
Weather
It’s the Dog Days, so there could be showers to dodge, but right now it looks like we’ll get these in and sit in the 80s all week.
See you at the park,
@Kram207