[gehrig38]

Spring Training 2012
The Pigs finished spring training 11-13, with no major injuries. Jorge Diaz was tied for 4th overall, (3rd in the CL) with 5 HR’s this spring. Barbour had 9 swipes, van Bodegraven had a 0.42 ERA.
Dan Clark of the Battlecats led all players with 9 HR’s, Bill Adams of the Clippers had 24 RBI’s and Thatcher Smith of the Greyhounds led all hitters at .427.

Week 1
Omar has informed me he’d be happy with a .500 record this year. To be honest I’ll be pissed if that’s where we end up. Season opens with a 3 game set at Baltimore followed by 4 games at Las Vegas. 7 on the road to open up! Oh, 1 RHP on opening day, followed by what looks like 4 straight lefties.

We are in an average market with very good fan loyalty and a fan interest of 65.


First few years are going to be goofy financially, given all players will start at league minimum, and move to arbitration in year 4. Problem will be the entire roster will hit arbitration together. I’ll work to get some of my studs signed before then.

Game 1
I’ll be noting firsts as well. First hit in Iron Pigs franchise history was a 1st inning single by Bill Alexander. First 2B Jorge Diaz in the 3rd inning. First run scored by Jean Chartier on 2 run single by Ignacio Ferrier. Iron Pigs drop their franchise opener 3-2 on walk off error by reliever Chris Dalton. Alejandrez goes 7.1 giving up 2 earned runs on 8 hits.
(0-1)

(Ernie Kelly throws the leagues first shutout. A 1 hitter on opening day for a 2-0 win over the Buffalo Bisons.)

Game 2
Bill Alexander hits the Iron Pigs first HR in franchise history, a three run blast in the top of the 5th to open a 3-0 lead over the Railcats. Iron Pigs drop to 0-2, losing once again on a walk off. This time a 3R HR. Starting 2B Greg Bartlett and SP Ken Johnson leave the field within a pitch of each other in the 3rd as well….Both are day to day, Bartlett with a strained rib cage for 6, Johnson with a strained back for 4. All things considered it could have been worse.
(0-2)

Game 3
3 in the 9th, 3 in the 12th and the Iron Pigs have their first franchise win! Ignacio Ferrer goes 4-5 with a 2B, HR and 4 RBI’s and Jose Pacheco picks up an already tired pen with 3 scoreless frames to get the first win! Mike Davis gives up 3 earned over 7 solid innings, K’ing 6.
(1-2)

Game 4
Jack Jackson never had it, giving up 5 in the first two but holding out for 5. Pigs actually come back to tie it at 5 in the 7th, then Riley Potts gives them 3 back in the 8th to drop it 8-5. Alexander hits HR#2.
(1-3)

Game 5
Alexander with HR#3, Pigs roll to an 8-2 win behind 8 strong innings from Salazar (2ER and 8 hits). Gutierez hits the Pigs first career 3B as well. Bartlett steals our first bag.
(2-3)

Game 6
Another walk off…loss. Sib van Bodegraven serves up a 2 out solo HR after the Pigs scored 3 in the 8th to tie. Alejandrez K’s 5 and walks 5 in 6.2 grinding innings.
(2-4)

Game 7
Down 9-2 early, Pigs battle back to make it 9-7 but give up 2 in the 8th to lose 11-8. Bill Alexander hits 2 more HR’s (5), and has 10 RBI’s through the first 7 games. Ken Johnson was wretched, walking 6 and giving up 6 hits, 7 earned runs through 2. Worried that this pace is going to crush my pen early. NONE of my relievers has enough stamina to endure this workload, except Bill George (who I had wanted to be my 8th inning bridge).
(2-5)

A 2-5 week, with concerns everywhere! My rotation scares the hell out of me, and I have no idea if they'll perk up, or if I am going to ruin 7 bullpen arms by June.

Harold Haas of the Brooklyn Cyclones wins the PotW going 10-24 with 3 HR and 7 RBI’s.

Coastal League PotW is Qi-chen Jung of the Fresno Grizzlies, going 10-20 with 3 HR’s and 10 RBI’s
.
Week 2 (home opener with 3 vs the Riverhounds of Pittsburgh and 3 vs Michigan)