Back From the Cold

I'm struggling to find something good to say about the Bulls' trip to Ohio. The weather was awful with one rainout and one game shortened by snow. Most games were played with temperatures in the 30's and low 40's. And, as might be expected, played to essentially empty stadiums in Columbus and Toledo.

The Bulls lost 5 of the 6 games played.

They arrived back in Durham in last place in the International League South Division.

click on image for larger view

The team taking the field tonight changed quite a bit during its trek through the frozen north:

• RHRP Ryan Weber came down from Tampa Bay (he had one appearance as a Ray). So far he has 1 inning with a blown save as a Bull.
• RHSP/RP Chih-We Hu went to Tampa Bay, put in 2 2/3 innings in relief, and has come back.
• Switch-hitting infielder Andrew Velazquez came up from Montgomery and has stolen 4 bases in two games so far.
• Infielder Christian Arroyo went on the DL
• RHRP Hunter Wood was called up to Tampa Bay 
• Infielder Brandon Snyder was called up to Tampa Bay
• Infielder Jake Cronenworth came up from Montgomery and has played in two games.
• Outfielder Johnny Field was called up to the Rays.

Matchup

The Phillies AAA franchise the Lehigh Valley IronPigs are having a decent start to the year. They are in the middle of the pack in the IL North (standings). Plus they are the only other team in AAA baseball with a fan blog (although they, like us, have not been all that busy this year).

They are obviously hitting and fielding very well (only 1 unearned run).