If the International League were one of those reality shows where someone gets voted off, then Lehigh Valley’s vote would be to send Rochester off of the island.

Not only did the Red Wings blow up the IronPigs’ postseason possibilities last season, but they have won nine of the 12 meetings between the two teams this season.

In their just-finished road trip to Rochester, Lehigh Valley managed just one win and were shut out three times, including in the final two games of the series.

The IronPigs entered their home series with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (Yankees) with a 22-inning scoreless streak.

Oh, and the one guy who was hitting, Otto Kemp, was brought back up to Philadelphia with Felix Reyes being optioned out to Lehigh Valley. Kemp hit .273 (6-for-22) in the series in Rochester, and in 24 games with Lehigh Valley, hit three home runs while driving in 15 and had a batting line of .262/.340/.452, which prompted his return to the big leagues.

On the upside, pitcher Michael Mercado had an 11.57 ERA after the last home series with Buffalo, thanks in part to giving up four runs in one inning in the series finale. Against Rochester, Mercado threw three shutout innings and allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out four batters in two relief appearances. He also got the lone victory for Lehigh Valley. His ERA is still a horrific looking 7.04, but he appears to be turning things around.

If one thought they had pretty well memorized the IronPigs roster on the last homestand, start over. There are seven names that were on the roster for their last home game who are no longer on the roster. There are six others who have joined – or in one case, rejoined - the roster.

Outfielder Dylan Carlson signed a minor league contract with the Phillies, and was added to the roster. Pitcher Jackson Rutledge was claimed off waivers from Washington, Kirby Snead was signed as a minor league free agent, and Lou Trivino, who had exited, was re-signed by the Phillies and is back with Lehigh Valley. Right-hander Levi Stoudt, who is from Pottstown, was promoted from Reading, as was catcher Lou Albrecht, who was placed on the Developmental List. Utility player Dylan Moore was outrighted from the Phillies and is now on the Pigs roster.

The departures include pitchers Genesis Cabrera and Jon Hernandez, who both exercised opt-outs in their respective contracts. Outfielder Cade Fergus was sent back to Reading, while outfielder Oscar Mercado and pitcher Lenny Torres were both released. Lefty Andrew Walling was placed on the IL.

Max Lazar is with the IronPigs on a rehab assignment from the Phillies. Also, Gabriel Rincones Jr. who came into spring training with a knee injury, is currently rehabbing and will start the week with Reading.

RAILRIDERS’ ROSTER ... Scranton/Wilkes-Barre has had some recent changes to their roster as well. Outfielder Spencer Jones is now with the Yankees, but is struggling. In 18 at-bats, he has struck out nine times and is hitting just .167 for the Bronx Bombers. Anthony Volpe, who had been optioned out to Scranton after finishing a rehab assignment, was recalled last week and is back in the majors. Pitcher Gerritt Cole, a one-year Pirate, is on a rehab assignment with the RailRiders, but is likely to return to the Yankees to start this weekend. Peyton Henry, an IronPigs alumnus from 2025, is also on the RailRiders roster. The big prospect to watch is third baseman George Lombard, Jr., who is the Yankees top prospect, comes to town with Scranton. Right-handers Elmer Rodriguez and Carlos Lagrange are the Yankees number two and four prospects, respectively.

WE’RE FALLING, AND WE CAN’T GET UP ... Lehigh Valley has fallen to 20-25 this season, and is now eighth in the IL East and 16th overall in the International League standings. Rochester (25-20) leads the East, thanks in no small part to the IronPigs, but Memphis (27-18) is the top team overall in the IL. Rochester is the Triple-A affiliate of the Washington Nationals, and Memphis is the top minor league level for St. Louis.