Brown latest to reach IronPigs

IronPig fans have one more reason to go to the ballpark during this Fourth-of-July holiday.

The Phillies promoted the organization's top prospect Domonic Brown from Double-A Reading to take a few swings at Coca-Cola Park.

The left-handed hitting corner outfielder was nothing short of spectacular this season for the Reading Phillies. In 65 games, Brown batted .318 with 15 home runs and 47 RBI. That is overshadowed by his .354, 14 RBI clip in his final two weeks in Triple-A.

So far, the lanky lefty is off to good start for Lehigh Valley by batting .357 (5-for-14) through the first 4 games. This should give the IronPigs an added punch for an offense that is missing the clutch hit to get them over the hump. Lehigh Valley is just a paltry 7-23 in one run games. Clutch hits in eight of those games would produce a .500 record.

Brown, who turned down an offer to play receiver at the University of Miami, will be one of two Phillies representatives in the 12th annual XM Futures Game that is a part of Major League Baseball's All-Star Week.

Since his 20th round selection in the 2006 draft, Brown has shown his growth over the past two seasons. In 2008, Brown batted .291 with eight homers and 54 RBI for the Lakewood Blue Claws. Last season, he batted .303 for the Clearwater Threshers before finishing his season in Reading.

Star-Spangled home stand

After a quick two-day, three game set with the Rochester Redwings that features a Tuesday double header that starts with the resumption of a game that had been suspended due to rain on April 16, the Syracuse Sky Chiefs roll in for two games on Thursday and Friday. That matchup will kick off the four day, Independence Day celebration weekend at Coca Cola Park. A Red, White, and Blue IronPig cap will be given away on Thursday and fireworks will be held Friday night.

Following a one-game road trip to Pawtucket, the IronPigs return for a four-game series against the same Red Sox. On Sunday, July 4, the IronPigs will wear a special Red, White, and Blue jersey that will be auctioned off followed by a 3-D Fireworks display with glasses handed out to the first 7,000 fans.

There will be more fireworks on Monday as well as other great giveaways as the home stand will end Wednesday July 7. It is the final home stand before the Triple-A All-Star game comes to Allentown on July 14.

After the All-Star break, the IronPigs will be on the road until Norfolk visits Allentown for the first time of the year on July 23.

Roster Moves

Greg Dobbs accepted his assignment to Lehigh Valley and was added to the roster. The Phillies also acquired Chris Aguila from Toronto for no considerations. To make room for Brown and these additions Neil Sellers and Rich Thompson were sent to Reading and Luis Maza was just given to Houston.

Pig-lets

Cody Ransom is third in the International League in home runs (16) and runs (44) and fourth in RBI (55) ... Andy Tracy is batting .361 with seven homers and 28 RBI since returning from the DL on May 27 ... Scott Mathieson returned to Lehigh Valley to earn a save over the weekend and is 13-of-15 in save opportunities.