Scott Elarton who did not pitch in 2011 due to various injuries made his IronPigs debut against RHP Doug Mathis (0-5, 4.27 in AAA with Sacramento and Fresno in the PCL) in sunny Pawtucket in game 3 of the series this afternoon.
Bottom 3 (Cuutt on and Missed)
Che-Hsuan Lin (CF) leads off with a walk.
Josh Kroeger (RF) and Alex Hassan (LF) fly out.
Nate Spears (2B) singles to bring runners to 2nd and 3rd with two outs.
Starting pitcher Elarton gets Jose Iglesias (SS) on a swinging strike for the third out.
Top 4 (Brown RBI – Brown Picked)
After a lead-off golf shot just over Rae’s Creek for a Hector Luna (3B) double, Dom Brown adds his 3rd RBI in as many at bats. Pigs 1-0.
Cody Overbeck lined out for the first out and after a few throws to 2nd, Dom Brown is picked off in a not so close play – two outs.
Derrick Mitchell just misses a jack but it’s held up by blustering winds up to 25 MPH – inning over.
Top 5 (LOB + RISP = O)
Rich Thompson (single) and Kevin Frandsen (HPB) both reach base but the ‘Pigs are unable capitalize. Pigs 1-0
Bottom 5 (Elarton loads ’em and stowes ’em)
After a single to Will Middlebrooks (3B), Lin flies out on a deep shot to Rich Thompson, Kroeger does the same – 2 outs.
Middlebrook steals second on a strong throw by Erik Kratz (C) to the wrong side of the bag.
Alex Hassan (LF) and Spears both drew walks to load the bases with two outs bringing Jose Igesias to the plate who Colorado born 6’8″ Elarton blows Iglesias away with 3 straight pitches (1 foul, 2 swinging strikes). Still 1 – nothing ‘Pigs
Top 6 (Sanches puts ’em trances)
Elarton leaves with 5 strong innings surrendering 2 hits, no runs, 3 BB and 4 SO and is replaced by Major League veteran, rightie Brian Sanches.
Maura Gomez (DH) leads off with a single.
Andres Blanco (SS) knocked over by a smashed line drive throws Gomez out at 2nd from his backside and Frandsen completes the double play.
Lars Anderson (1B) grounds out to Frandsen to end the inning. Pigs 1 – PawSox 0
Top 7 (Cannonball Kratz)
Following a pop-up and a OinK, Josh Kroeger (RF) reaches on a walk then is caught stealing on a BB by catcher Erik Kratz to end the inning. ‘Pigs 1-0
Top 8 (Can you hear me Major DOM?)
Kevin Frandsen (2B) lines out 2nd and Lou Montanez (DH) files out to center for two quick outs.
Hector Luna then gets his 2nd hit of the game for his first multi-hit game of the year bringing Dom Brown for his first multi-hit game of the year. Brown began the year 0-7 with 5 K’s to start but has been strong since. Stay strong Dom!
Cody Overbeck came to the plate with 2 on 2 out and whiffed to end the inning. Pigs 1-0
Bottom 8 (Phear the Phro)
Brian Sanches goes 2 innings, 1 BB, 1 SO and is replaced by Michael Schwimer.
Hassan led off with a 5 pitch walk but is erased on a sac bunt try by Nate Spears.
Frandsen ranges far to his left to snag the popped up foul ball for a 2nd quick out.
Mauro Gomez (DH) bloops a single to right moving Spears to third.
The dreaded Ryan Lavarnway (C) grounds out to short to end the inning. ‘Pigs 1 – PawSox 0
Top 9 (Insurance – no)
Derrick Mitchell gets and infield single off a tough play by third-baseman Nate Spears.
Kratz rocks one off pitcher Junichi Tazawa that caroms to short and he’s thrown out at first – Mitchell advances to 2nd. Out 1
Andres Blanco grounds out to pitcher Tazawa for the 2nd out – Mitchell still at 2nd.
Rich Thompson flies out to right to end the inning.
Bottom 9 (Diekman got ’em with the skidooch)
Jake Diekman replaces Schwimer who gets the hold.
Lars Anderson is sent down looking – 1 down
Middlebrooks goes down swinging – 2 out
Che-Hsuan Lin singles down the first base line followed by another single by Kroeger. 2 on – 2 out
Diekman throwing hard (upper 90’s) takes the count 0-2 to Hassan (LF) and STRIKES HIM OUT looking.
Pigs Fly! (again)
Elarton with the win, Sanches and Schwimer with holds and Diekman with a strong save.
Click below for the Matt Provence IronPigs Radio Recap of the Game.
Dom Brown has had the game winning hit in the last two games!
There is this to consider -> In the first 5 games the ‘Pigs have left 27 on base and are 4 for 33 with RISP. (.121 with RISP)
Also this -> The pen has given up only 7 earned runs in 5 games with a sub 2 ERA
Imagine the possibilities when the bats warm up!
Pig Out!
DiPro’s Dish
Categories: Coca Cola Park, Lehigh Valley IronPigs
noisenation.wordpress.com 
This would be incredible pitching for July, but it’s UNREAL for April! Bodes well for the season, I think. On the other hand, let’s hope the bats come alive — and stay alive — pretty soon.
Agreed Jim. I’m hoping it’s still a little chilly and the bats just haven’t warmed up yet. If it continues like this however, it’s surely going to be an interesting year!
DiPro