Odds And Ends: AAA Pitching, Olympic Stars

Some quick minor league notes that haven’t been covered here yet:

• JA Happ had a very good first start back in Lehigh Valley. He went six innings, giving up just two hits while striking out 10.
• Carlos Carrasco is also pitching well for the IronPigs. He hasn’t yet given up an earned run, with his last start going six innings. He struck out 10 and walked none in that outing.
• And third on the IronPig docket is Kris Benson, who says he’s ready to pitch in the majors. In his last start he threw 97 pitches, 66 for strikes. He allowed three earned runs on nine hits with four strikeouts. He has a 5.09 ERA for the Pigs.
• The U.S. Olympic team began play this morning. The team lost 8-7 to South Korea. Lou Marson played catcher for the final inning but didn’t hit; Jason Donald didn’t get in. Their next game is later today. And keep track on Marson and Donald through the Arizona Republic
  — Marson is a Scottsdale, Ariz., native, and Donald is a University of Arizona kid.

As for the pitching in triple-A, it’s great to see it. The Phils have two contingency plans (a lefty and a righty) in case something bad were to occur. And both are doing justifiably — especially Happ. And on Happ, considering Kendrick’s last start, would it be enough to beg to see Happ take a few starts with the Phillies? Then there’s Carrasco, who could get a September call-up. It’s good to se him dominate in LehighValley. He’s almost ready for the show.