The Baseball Enthusiast: 5/4/2015 Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs 3, Louisville Bats 5

Monday, May 4, 2015

5/4/2015 Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs 3, Louisville Bats 5

Louisville Slugger Field, Louisville, KY

Game 1 of 3

I often wish I saw the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs here in LOU as much as I see the Columbus Clippers or the Indianapolis Indians in any given season. The reason may not be obvious, so I'll divulge this much: one of my favorite MiLB teams right now is the Reading Fightin' Phils...since I've been a Fightins fan for the past couple of years, it seems like I always miss some of my favorites pass through here once they've been called up to AAA (or beyond).

Tonight, with my pal Marty, I get to see two former Reading stalwarts; one who certainly will be famous, and the other that has already had his share of infamy.

I also get to see Jon Moscot start tonight, he's 3-0 with a minuscule 2.16 ERA so far this season.

YES! Lefties are hitting .167 against Moscot, righties are hitting .323 - and there are 4 lefties in today's LHV lineup. The fact that Moscot is really good starting out isn't incredible news, despite the fact that he hasn't been spectacular in Minor League ball up to this point. As always, with the Reds and their perpetually ailing pitching staffs, the question is how long will it be before he's called up?

My scoresheets, using my pitch-counting method! Read about it HERE, download the scoresheets for free HERE!

Three of the Iron Pigs' starting nine (including pitcher Joely Rodriguez) each tag Moscot for base hits in the first three innings. The Iron Pigs get on the board first, but Louisville answers immediately and sustains their lead throughout the game...and who'da thunk it? Moscot goes 2-for-3 at the plate with 2RBI; he also pitches 6 innings, allowing 3ER, 7H, 4BB and 2K.

Domonic Brown has a game that I didn't think I'd see; he goes 2-for-3 with 2RBI and a stolen base (this earns him an intentional pass with 2 on and 1 out in the 7th). His days with the Phillies are certainly numbered - he still looks great with a bat and shows a level of talent that has certainly benefited from his checkered MLB experience. He's the Ghost of Phillies Prospects past at the moment, while Maikel Franco has a future that looks as bright as Brown's did a few years ago...and maybe a little bit brighter.

Ivan De Jesus faces Joely Rodriguez in the 2nd, Eugenio Suarez is at 1B. Suarez' HR in the first inning set the tone for the Bats' early scoring to gain and maintain control of the game.

The Legendary Brian Bogusevic faces Moscot in the 2nd, Rodriguez (who did a li'l hittin' himself) on 1B

...Bogusevic grounds into a double play, 4-6-3

My Hero, Steve Selsky, against Rodriguez in the 3rd...

...G5-3 (sighs)

Domonic Brown vs. Moscot in the 4th inning (F9)

Maikel Franco vs. Moscot in the 4th (Franco singles)

De Jesus faces RHP reliever Tyler Knigge in the 7th and strikes out looking; Suarez is caught stealing by C Tommy Joseph

Playing the Mystery Rookie Card game, I couldn't help but burst into LOLzzz when I ended up picking this Baby Huey card. If you've read this blog through the years, you'll know exactly how I feel about Juan Francisco. If you don't read this blog often, it should be obvious .

Marty picked this solid Jeff Baisley card. Good ol' Jeff, who debuted September 9, 2008 and played his final major league game on September 28, 2008.

Jeff was a 12th round pick in 2005 by Oakland, and though his coffee tour in 2008 was brief, he stayed with the A's system through 2010, when he was released and subsequently signed by the Angels. 2012 saw him with the Dodgers, Tigers, and White Sox...the bottom fell out there, when in 2013 he spent the season with the Somerset Patriots of the Atlantic League after a brief stint with the Mexican League Acereros de Moncalova.

Marty surprised me by giving me the Jeff Baisley card, and also the other cards he has won in the Mystery Rookie Card game over the years. The one on the right sings the loudest to me.