Bunts and Balks (7/27)

The Lehigh Valley IronPigs (AAA) fell to the Gwinnett Braves on Monday, 7-2.
The FeHogs were held scoreless (four hits/no walks) for the first four innings, by Tim Hudson. Not surprising. Meanwhile, Tyson Brummett surrendered six runs (five earned) on seven hits, in his four innings. Also, not surprising. The IronPigs went 0 for 7 w/RISP, stranding nine runners. Brummett's seventy-pitch outing helped get the weary and depleted Lehigh Valley staff through another game, with Gustavo Chacin and, presumably, Andrew Carpenter, ready to start the next two games.

The IronPigs activated IF Jason Donald from the Disabled List. OF Michael Spidale was assigned to Reading (AA), in order to open a roster spot. With an infield full of AAAA non-prospects, Donald should get some regular playing time for the FeHogs. Spidale batted .289 in AAA, but his OPS was only .674. He should help the R-Phils' offense, which has a Michael Taylor-sized void in it's lineup.

With Toronto Blue Jays scouts in attendance, top prospect Kyle Drabek had a strong outing, in a 4-3 victory over the Portland Sea Dogs. Drabek improved to 7-1, with a 3.06 ERA. The highly-touted southpaw pitched seven innings, allowing only two runs, on seven hits (zero walks/five strikeouts, one home run allowed). Chance Chapman pitched a scoreless ninth, picking up his first save.

The Clearwater Threshers (AA) won Sunday's suspended game over the St. Lucie Mets, 4-2. Dominic Brown went 2 for 4, including his tenth homer. Steve Susdorf was 2 for 3, improving his average to .397. Travis Cloyd pitched five and two-thirds innings, limiting the Mets to a pair of runs (seven hits, one walk/five strikeouts). Michael Schwimer followed with two scoreless frames, for his 12th save.

The Threshers completed their Monday sweep of the St. Lucie Mets, winning the seven-inning nightcap, 4-3. Dominic Brown was 2 for 2, with his second home run of the day, improving his average to .305. Steve Susdorf was 2 for 3, getting his average back over the .400 mark, at .403. Starter Edgar Garcia made his first appearance for the Threshers, pitching three innings, and allowing three hits (one walk/one strikeout). He was responsible for two runs, both of which scored after he left the game. (Garcia had been unavailable due to visa issues, which were resolved in the past week.) Scott Mathieson pitched two more scoreless innings, giving him seven flawless frames for the Threshers this season, and picked up his first save.