The fans still turn out for the IronPigs. Some may have come for the postgame fireworks but lots no doubt were quite aware that there are now only two games left in the season. In the end, the most exciting thing about last night's IronPigs game was that starter Vance Worley was lifted after pitching a scoreless first. Does that mean that he will be starting one of the doubleheader games Monday in Philadelphia?
Actually, there was a lot going on early in last night's game. The 'Pigs had a three-run homer called back in the 1st, much to the discontent of the crowd. But they immediately came back with an RBI, then a two-run homer. Joe Savery took over for Worley and was very good---until a fatally sloppy 6th, which started with an error by the second baseman Ozzie Chavez, who many Bison batters later had another error. It was not pretty. Worst were the walks handed out by Savery that inning. He walked in two, then his replacement Villareal walked in another to make it 4-3. By the time the sloppy inning was over, the Bison were leading 5-4.
I watched the 'Pigs do nothing in the bottom of the inning, then split to catch the end of the Phillies game. It was the 9th, with one out and Madson facing the heart of the Brewer lineup. I reached the car in time for the postgame show. Excellent game! Hamels pitched seven scoreless innings of three-hit ball, striking out seven. Contreras and Madson combined to preserve the shutout. The Phillies are now 17-11 in shutouts this year. Shane Victorino scored the only run, doubling on a ball that dropped between the left and center fielders.
