IronPigs Drop Another, Near Elimination

The Triple-A Lehigh Valley IronPigs have dropped two straight games in the Governor's Cup Finals after taking control with a victory in the series opener. In game 3 on Thursday night, the 'Pigs faced New Jersey native Joe Martinez, who was outstanding, striking out a career high 13 batters, allowing 1 run and 3 hits, while leading the Columbus Clippers (Indians affiliate) to a 6-2 victory and a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five series.

The tone for the night was set early on, as the right-handed Martinez struck out the side in each of the first two innings.

Martinez's battery mate Luke Carlin drove in 3 runs, including a 2-run homerun off of IronPigs starting pitcher Dave Bush in the 2nd inning, to pace the Columbus offense.

Third baseman Kevin Frandsen got Lehigh Valley on the board in the 3rd inning, when a sacrifice fly brought home shortstop Freddy Galvis.

The score stayed 2-1 until the 7th when IronPigs reliever Ryan Feierabend surrendered an RBI infield single to Columbus left fielder Chad Huffman.

Trailing 3-1 in the 8th inning, Lehigh Valley got one back. Reliever Chen Lee walked the first batter he faced, IronPigs center fielder Rich Thompson. The speedster quickly swiped second base for his second steal of the game, and moved up to third base on a throwing error by Carlin. Left-fielder Scott Podsednik then rolled a grounder to shortstop that plated Thompson and brought the 'Pigs back within a run.

The contest didn't remain close for long, as relief pitchers Juan Perez and Chance Chapman, making their first appearances of the postseason, dug Lehigh Valley into a hole they couldn't climb out of. The duo combined to serve up five straight 2 out walks, three of which forced in a run, to put wrap up the scoring.

Lehigh Valley will attempt to stay alive in the 2011 postseason in Friday night's game four scheduled for 7:05 PM at Allentown's Coca Cola Park. Game five, also at CCP if necessary, will be played on Saturday at 6:35 PM.

In other news...

Right-handed pitching prospect Brody Colvin breathed a sigh of relief on Thursday when he received word that charges against him, stemming from a January 2009 arrest, had all been dropped.

Colvin, who was 19 years old at the time, was charged with disturbing the peace, simple battery and resisting an officer. His older brother Littleton was also taken into police custody at the time of the incident, which occurred outside an establishment known as City Bar in Colvin's hometown of Lafayette, LA.

The Phillies' 7th round draft pick in 2009, Colvin was recently ranked as the organization's 6th best prospect in a poll conducted by The Reading Eagle.

_____________________________________________

You can follow PhoulBallz on Twitter by clicking HERE.

Also connect with PhoulBallz on Facebook by clicking HERE

Comments

PhoulBallz Interview: BlueClaws OF Justin Crawford

Justin Crawford w/ junior reporter Evan At the age of 19, outfielder Justin Crawford has played his way into the conversation of being considered as one of baseball's top prospects. The son of four-time MLB All-Star Carl Crawford, Justin has looked every bit as impressive as his position as the 17th overall draft selection last year would have most fans thinking he should be. He opened the season with Class A Clearwater where, in 69 games, he notched a .344/.399/.478 slash line. And since mid-August when he was promoted to Class A Advanced Jersey Shore, the younger Crawford has posted a .300/.364/.440 line. He's also stolen 44 bases in 52 attempts overall. And while the BlueClaws enter the final week of the regular season 1/2 game out of first place in their division, I spoke with Justin Crawford about the team's hopes of making the postseason for the first time since 2018. I also asked Justin about the similarities and differences between his skillset and his father'

Jersey Shore clinches playoff berth on final day of regular season

Ottto Kemp, image- Jay Floyd With an extra-inning victory over first-half division champions Hudson Valley on Sunday, the Class A Advanced Jersey Shore BlueClaws clinched the team's first playoff appearance since 2018, winning the second-half division title. Key performers in the BlueClaws' clincher were righty hurler Jason Ruffcorn, who threw three innings of relief to earn the victory and third baseman Otto Kemp, notched three hits, a walk, two stolen bases and plated the game winning run in the 11th inning on a sacrifice fly. On top of that, Kemp, who turned 24-years-old on Saturday, made an absolute game-saving defensive play to help the club hold their lead in the bottom of the 11th frame. One of Jersey Shore's most consistent performers all season long has been right-handed reliever Cam Wynne. The Phillies' 20th round draft pick in 2021 out of Nebraska. In 34 appearances, one start, the 24-year-old tallied a 1-1 record with one save, a 2.44 ERA and a .190 batti

RHP Pipkin headed to AFL after hot August

After completing what was easily the best month of his career, righty hurler Dominic Pipkin is ready to face the tough competition of the prominent Arizona Fall Leage. Pipkin, who was the Phillies' 9th round draft selection in 2018, has had moderate success in his five years as a pro, posting a 4.93 ERA, a 7.6 K/9 mark and a .260 batting average against mostly at the lower levels on the minors. After missing time this year with an unspecified ailment, the six-foot-four 170-pounder proved to be healthy as he dominated AA competition in nine appearances with the Reading Fightin Phils during August. Pipkin's impressive production resulted in a 1-0 record with a save and a 0.96 ERA while striking out eight and walking three in 9 1/3 innings. The California native says his efforts to improve have helped him touch 100 MPH on the radar gun, while his fastball velocity is mostly around 96 MPH. Pipkin's arsenal includes that improved fastball as well as a slider while his curve

PhoulBallz.com

Search This Blog