Bunts and Balks (7/26)

Pedro Martinez made his first non-simulated rehab start on Sunday, for the Clearwater Threshers (A). On Wet N' Wacky Sunday, wet weather shortened Martinez' outing to only one and one-third innings. Martinez threw his fastball in the 87-92 MPH range, with his signature changeup in good form. He had one strikeout, and got his other three outs via fly balls. He threw in the bullpen after play was suspended, to continue to get his pitch count up.
Martinez is expected to make his next start for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) on Friday.

RHP Tyson Brummett was promoted from Reading (AA) to Lehigh Valley. Brummett posted a 5.09 ERA in 15 starts. He was bumped to the R-Phils' bullpen, when LHP Yohan Flande was promoted from Clearwater. Brummett, in his last 10 appearances, has pitched 18 innings. He has allowed 15 runs (7.50 ERA), 26 hits, and 9 walks (6 whiffs).
So, why did Brummett get the promotion to the IronPigs? The LV rotation has been gutted by the parent club's recent roster moves. The current rotation consists of Carlos Carrasco, Gustavo Chacin, Brian Mazone, ?, and ??. Andrew Carpenter will take one of those slots, but he pitched for Philadelphia on Thursday and Friday, and is not immediately available to make a start. Reliever Jake Woods was forced into a spot start on Saturday, throwing 50 pitches, in three innings.
The Reading starting rotation currently has no viable promotion options. Vance Worley and Joe Savery have struggled as of late, and may be battling arm fatigue. Yohan Flande and Kyle Drabek both need more time at the AA level. Mike Stutes has pitched brilliantly recently, but, like the other four starters, his development is best-served by remaining at Reading.
Brummett's arm is still sufficiently stretched out to eat some innings, and he isn't really viewed as a prospect, at this point. Brummett will start for the IronPigs on Monday, facing Gwinnett's Tim Hudson, the rehabbing MLBer, who is expected to pitch four innings.

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs lost to the Gwinnett Braves on Sunday, 5-1. LV starter Brian Mazone had only allowed one run, through four innings, when the Braves got to him for four more in the fifth inning. Mazone fell to 0-3, with a 5.03 ERA. The FeHogs offense was punchless, with only six hits, all singles.

The Reading Phillies (AA) defeated the Bowie Baysox, 2-0. Yohan Flande had his best start for the R-Phils, throwing six and one-third scoreless innings (four hits, one walk/seven whiffs). Reliever Sergio Escalona stranded the two runners he inherited from Flande, and reliever Mike Zagurski followed by stranding the three runners he inherited from Escalona. The R-Phils had only five hits, but doubles by Quintin Berry and Neil Sellers lead to runs.
Kyle Drabek will start for the R-Phils on Monday, against the Portland Sea Dogs, in what could be his last start as a member of the Phillies' organization. As the parent club has a late start time, in Arizona, this is a good opportunity to tune in to the R-Phils' internet broadcast.

The Clearwater Threshers (A) will play a doubleheader against the St. Lucie Mets on Monday, as they complete Sunday's suspended game. Travis Cloyd and Michael Galen Cisco are expected to start for the Threshers.