IronPigs Today: Weekend Update: 2-1 Series Lead

“Desperado
Sitting in a old Monte Carlo
A man whose heart is hollow, uh
Take it easy”

-Rihanna

The End of the RailRiders

I never loved the name.  We thought “Trolley Frogs” was a slam dunk, back in the day.  But, now they’ll be re-branding in the Fall.  Of course, we have thoughts:

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre is a mouthful.  They need to connect with the Northeast Pennsylvania region, really.  And, Scranton has a famous nickname:  The Electric City.  Much like the Trash Pandas play in Madison, Alabama, a suburb of Huntsville, the Yankees affiliate plays in Moosic, really.

Now, the Trash Pandas are really raccoons.  But the cute nickname makes it.  What are the three most common wild animals in Northeast Pennsylvania?  First, white-tail deer.  Really no cute nicknames and kinda dangerous to mess with in person or on the road.  Second, black bear.  There’s already a ton of teams across the professional sports landscape with bear or bear-like monikers.  This includes one in particular from Hershey.  Not gonna work for Scranton.  Number three:  coyotes.  Nicknames?  Song Dogs.  Because of the howling and such.  Everybody loves dogs.  Electric City Song Dogs.  Mark it down.

That’s almost certainly not it.  But, it might be better.  Anyway, before this all ends in the fall, remind me to tell the story that led to the “Rail Lickers” derogatory moniker you might catch me using from time to time.

So Far

The Pigs mounted a ninth inning comeback to take the opener on Tuesday.  Chuck King had a quality start.  The RailRiders sent out a reliever to close it down, and that guy couldn’t throw strikes. Walks will kill you.  Or Gabriel Rincones if you throw him a meatball.  As Sam said, “They had that dog in them.”

The Wednesday game was a good old-fashioned butt kicking by the IronPigs.  A Paul McIntosh (walk-up song above) grand slam in the first was a big part of it.  Was the 7-run first the most runs ever in a first inning by a Pigs team?  We haven’d looked it up in the media book yet.  Some were saying the RailRiders should just change their name now.  Of course, it looked like the IronPigs were going to allow them back in the game–until Keaton Anthony said that they couldn’t via a three-run job.  Volpe blowing both of his team’s challenges within the first six pitches of the game was high comedy.

Thursday the Pigs bats fell silent, and the Yankees affiliate was able to steal a game–cheered on by Yankees fans wearing IronPigs shirts.  Perhaps the RailRiders do have a marketing problem.  Props to Ryan Cusick and Tucker Davidson in a functional bullpen game, for keeping things within reach.

Roster Notes

OF Colby Thomas has been fun.  He came over in the Seth Johnson trade from the team formerly located in Oakland.  He walks up to “Thunderstruck” by AC/DC.  Tuesday night the Ops staff had the song cranked so loud the club level speakers were distorted and the PA announcer was unintelligible.  They’ve toned it down a bit the last two nights, but it’s fun for sure.

Transactions

• RHP Brandon Beckel assigned to Jersey Shore.  He was called up due to an extreme pitching shortage for the Pigs with arms coming and going from Philadelphia.  
• RHP Alex McFarlane called up to Phillies.  This should be for good, now.  In his second MLB outing, he was criticized for not holding a runner on first–as well as walking that runner.  These are the kind of things he needs to work on if he’s going to be part of the playoff roster (should we be so fortunate) in Philadelphia.  
• RHP Alan Rangel optioned to IronPigs.  He could be nearing his “up-and-down” limit for the season.  But he’s been a necessary asset for Phillies pitching depth.  He’s not listed as an IronPigs probable yet, but could be in line for the Saturday start.  Reportedly, the Phillies received calls at the deadline about trading for Alan.  Option-able starters are really valuable and it’s no just the Phillies who lack that depth. 
• RHP Daniel Harper to the full-season injured list.
• CF Kameron Misner called up to Phillies as 27th Man for Field of Dreams game.  This was telegraphed when he wasn’t in the lineup on Wednesday.  We’ll see when he makes it back to the IronPigs lineup.  
• C Rafael Marchan added for MLB Rehab.  A Rehabilitation assignment for a position player can last up to 20 days, so the math works out for him to perhaps stay with us until the MLB rosters expand on September 1st. He looked good out there last night.
• INF Christian Cairo activated from Injured List.  Good to have him back.  

It’s The Weekend, You Guys

Friday we have Pirate Night.  There’s a ship in the plaza.  It doesn’t look seaworthy, but surely fun to climb on.  A few beers in, I may have to go down there and say, “Look at me.  I’m the captain now.”  Fireworks tonight, of course.  And Boy Scouts (no campfires!)

Saturday will be Golf Night.  Metal cup giveaway for adults.  Fireworks.

Sunday is Football Day.  Wear your favorite football jersey and you’ll get a mini football giveaway (adults).  The Eagles Drumline will make an appearance.  Post-Game Kids run bases, as per usual.

See you at the park,

@Kram207